Basements are the most versatile, yet the trickiest room of the entire house. Everyone has a unique way to design and decorate this area. While some people like to transform it into a party room, others like to make it a storage area. But, by far, the most efficient way to utilize this space is by turning it into a home office.
A home office is a dream of every working person, and having it in a separate area like basements, takes its specialty to another level. Having the comfort of working from home is a luxury that everyone wants. When you have space and time, then why not use it smartly? If you are a workaholic and would appreciate some changes in your basement, then here are a few tips to help you in transforming your basement into a home office:
Make Your Basement Noise Proof
The first and most important thing to do in your home office renovation is to make it soundproof. A home office is generally designed to carry out work in a peaceful environment. And to maintain that peace, you have to cancel out every noise that can enter your workspace. This way, you will be able to focus on your work rather than on the random stuff happening around you.
If at some point, you even decide to change the structure of your basement, you can easily convert it into a music room, and soundproofing will still prove to be beneficial.
All in all, soundproofing your basement is a smart investment, and everyone should consider it.
Make Sure You Have Enough Room
One thing that most people do is that they don’t consider the size of the room before renovating or remodeling it. For example, if a person likes a big table, they may not consider whether they can fit it in their basement or not, and end up dumping it there nonetheless. In the end, such hurried renovations end up looking weird and out of proportion.
A better way to avoid such problems is to make sure that whatever you buy, goes with the room efficiently. You can also measure everything, and then decide where to put what.
Do Some Décor
A little bit of decoration takes the entire room into another dimension. Basements are usually considered to be the dark, lonely, and weird areas of the house. But, if you decorate your basement smartly, your home office can look as if it came out of some Pinterest post.
When choosing your décor, make sure you follow a theme. You can do anything from hanging small ornaments to putting up candles. Anything that brightens up your mood can be utilized as decorations in your very own home office. This will motivate and help you focus on your work.
Decide Your Desk Spot Cleverly
In an office, the most important piece of furniture is a work desk. It is the main spot where you carry out all your work. But, unfortunately, basements are not designed to be offices. Therefore, you have to figure out a way to set everything in place. That too, with positioning your desk in a focused position.
When you place your desk with proper planning, it brings together the whole room. Ensure that the spot you decide works as the focal point of the room. This way, when you enter the basement, your desk will instantly catch attention and complete the vibe of a home office.
Inspect Before You Do Anything
A lot of people just put together furniture and decorate before analyzing the space they are about to transform. They don’t measure the room or design the structure. In the end, their office looks like rooms, dumped with office furniture.
To avoid such problems, always analyze the place before you do anything. Make a layout of your basement and design your home office accordingly. Always consider every inch of the available space, and make sure whatever you choose, goes with the theme of your office.
When you have a design laid out, execute your plan and build your home office just the way you want. Well-planned execution will provide you with a complete, and put together home office in your basement. The best part is, you won’t have any regrets of rushed buying.
Work on the Lighting
Basements are generally one of the darkest places in the house. There is no window in the basement and definitely no sunlight. And when you are trying to use your basement as an office, you might have to face a lot of struggles in the department of light if you don’t already have ample lighting in your basement.
To avoid eyesight problems that you might encounter from working in a dark room, invest in a good lighting setup. Arrange a meeting with the professionals, and see what your options are.
Make sure to choose the best lighting for your basement. This way, your home office will look not only complete but also very practical.
Have a Corner for Yourself
Every person needs a corner for himself. But having this personal space is not usually possible in a company office. So, if you are making a home office in your basement, then why not dedicate a corner for yourself in it as well? When you are setting up your home office in the basement, try leaving a small area empty. You can then decorate this space according to your liking, and it will turn out to be your secret escape from all the workload.
You can put some video games there, or even use it as a nap corner. Whatever you do, it will be something that only you can use. This personal space will increase your creativity. It will motivate you and refresh your mind so that you can focus on your work.
Organize Cleverly
Designing a home office is not as easy as it looks. Sometimes, you can get overwhelmed by the quantity of stuff you want to store. As a result, you lose control of your organization skills, and your space ends up looking like a pile of junk. Therefore, you must organize your office area very carefully.
You should invest in enough shelves and storage spaces. Try getting the furniture that suits the theme of your home office. This will not only help you organize, but it will also work as a classy décor.
Having an organized office space helps you think, focus, and operate.
Do Not Go Overboard with Furniture
Sometimes, you can go overboard with the number of furniture you place in your home office. The idea of having a whole room for yourself can be overwhelming, and you might end up buying stuff that you do not need. In such situations, you have to control your urge to buy extra furniture.
You should only get the necessities, like a desk and shelves. Try to avoid investing in unwanted junk. This extra furniture will not help you in the organization, but instead, it will transform your happy place into a storage area. Hence, try to keep the number of furniture as low as possible. Buy what you really need, and try to work your way up from there.
The fewer the number of shelves and cabinets, the more spacious your basement will be. And the more spacious your office will be, the more focus you will have towards your work without any distractions.
Invest in a Dehumidifier
The tale of turning a basement into an office is all cute and happy, but, when it comes to the environment, basements are the worst. When you think of a basement, you instantly imagine the humid, misty air of the closed room.
On average, a person spends most of his day in his office room. So, if you want to turn your basement into a home office, you have to consider a way to get rid of this humidity. Therefore, during your renovations, make sure to invest in a dehumidifier. This magical invention will uplift the whole scene of your workspace. It will create a better atmosphere, one where you can work in the utmost peace and attention.
Interested in buying one for your home office? Check out our Guide to Buying Home Dehumidifier.
Conclusion
There are several ways you can use your basement, but converting it into a home office is not only smart but also practical. Home offices provide you with the comfort of working without any distractions, that too, without having to leave your home.