Updated in June 2022
Millions of Americans have transitioned to some form of remote work in the past few years, driven both by the need for social distancing due to the coronavirus pandemic and the convenience that remote work can offer. Even after most things have gone back to in-person, employees and employers both saw that remote work has benefits for productivity, overall mental health, and even a larger pool of qualified job candidates to choose from when hiring.
For many people, though, finding a space to work from home can sometimes be difficult. If you’re tired of sending emails from your kitchen table or navigating spreadsheets from your sofa, it may be time to dedicate a room or space in your home as an office space. And that might mean one word: renovation.
Whether your plans involve reclaiming a spare bedroom or simply building out a space in an unfinished basement, don’t overlook these renovation ideas to help spur productivity, keep you organized, and make your home office the best possible place for work.
Home Office Renovation: Choosing a Bright Space
Think about your work habits. Do you perform your best work in the dark, or are you more productive and happier in a bright office with a good view? If you’re like 78% of employees surveyed by Future Workplace, you’re probably happier in a bright space with views of the outdoors and lots of natural light. When planning and picking the perfect room for your office space, try to go for a room with windows that can let in light from outside. If that’s not an option due to space constraints or because your office is in the basement, paint the walls a light, bright color that can help reflect any natural light that does come in. The color you choose for your home office remodel can have a big effect on your mind when you’re working in the space, so do your research and find the best color for your home office.
Home Office Renovation: Having Outlets
Nothing is worse for a home office design than not having enough space to plug things in, except maybe having no outlets close to the perfect spot for your desk. Make sure your new office space has plenty of outlets for all your necessary electrical goods, including computers, monitors, lamps, paper shredders, printers, and more. If you’re having electrical outlets installed by a contractor (or switching them out yourself), consider adding some with USB outlets. This will help save space and allow you to plug in phones and tablets without needing a special charging base—all you need is the cable.
If you’re having lines run into your new space, consider asking the contractor to run Cat5e ethernet cables at the same time. Even though wireless internet connections have vastly improved in the past decade, nothing beats a hardwired internet connection for stability and quality.
Home Office Renovation: Buying the Right Desk
Give yourself plenty of workspace with a desk that’s sturdy, appropriately sized, and comfortable to sit at. Your desk will be the home base for all your daily tasks, so finding one that you feel comfortable at and that allows your home office to stay organized will be worth the money. If you’re using a laptop computer and external monitor to do your work, invest in both a laptop stand and a monitor arm to free up space. Under-desk shelving can hold your chargers and power strips and help with cable organization. Depending on whether your room has hard flooring or you’re planning on carpeting for your office, the right chair mat will help protect the floor from scratches or wear and tear from rolling. Be sure to invest in a good desk lamp to help with lighting during video conference calls, especially if your office is in a darker room.
Small Office Renovation Ideas: Leave Space for Storage
As you continue to work from home, you’ll probably accumulate documents, books, manuals, and other items you’ll need to keep handy. Don’t skimp on storage to stay organized. Consider adding bookshelves or a small cabinet to stay organized. On-wall elements such as floating shelves can help add tasteful decorative elements (and utility) to your office, too.
After you’ve thought it through, you may conclude that your home doesn’t have a good space to make a home office at the moment. But that doesn’t mean you’re out of luck. There are many other options to having a remote workspace outside your home that will keep you organized and provide you with everything you need for a productive workday – like a storage unit office space or a local coffee shop!
Rent Self Storage Unit During (and After) Your Home and Office Renovation
Of course, converting a spare bedroom or other spots in your home most likely means moving some items out to make additional space. That’s why we’re big fans of finding new ways to maximize your household space—and giving you the opportunity to make your renovation dreams a reality. Whether you’re creating a new home office design, building a nursery, or looking for a way to change things up in your home, renting a self storage unit can give you the freedom to make those changes. To get started, use our Self Storage Calculator to find the perfect size unit and then easily find a facility near you and learn more about the benefits of self storage.