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4 Alternative Spaces You Can Use as Home Office
Remote working has many perks, but if you set up your office in your living room, the lines between work and home can become blurred. When you are working from home, it is essential to carve out a special corner where you can comfortably focus on getting things done. By employing a bit of creativity, you can create a new distraction-free area in your home.
Closet
For many of us, every inch of extra space in our homes is a luxury. Sometimes, when you’re setting up shop at home, you are forced to make do with what you’ve got. To make the most of the space you have, consider turning a closet into your home office.
You shouldn’t have any problems fitting a small L-shaped or triangular desk in your closet. For storage, you can use a few boards as shelves. They are a great solution for more awkward spaces as you can easily cut them to size.
Squeeze in a few shelves above your desk and you’re good to go. If you are looking to save even more space, a wall-mounted desk with a drop-down function is an excellent alternative.
Garage, Attic, or Basement
Most homes have a garage, attic, or basement. If yours does too, think about when was the last time you used these areas for something other than storage. If you are up for a DIY adventure, you can give new life to such spaces.
Maybe your attic has gotten so cluttered and dusty that you think it has become unusable, but that doesn’t have to be the case. A good, old fashioned garage sale can help you declutter it.
If you install roof windows in your attic office, it will have plenty of light. This can be an ideal office for remote workers who are struggling with winter blues.
If you don’t plan on working in a proper office any time soon, do you really need a car? You can sell it off and use the money to turn your garage into a cosy working zone. During the hot summer days, you can open the garage door to get some fresh air and natural light.
The basement is another part of the house that we tend to forget all about. Instead of using it to store old appliances and broken electronics, it can be a perfect office. If you have a big family, the basement can be your quiet and peaceful heaven. The key is to get the lighting right.
Log Cabin
If you have a backyard, a log cabin is probably the best solution for your home office. If you already have a log cabin or garden shed in your yard, converting it into a fully functional office won’t take a lot of work.
You can hire an electrician to wire your log cabin, and an HVAC contractor to safely install a heating and cooling system. If you don’t have a log cabin in your backyard, you can get a DIY log cabin kit and build one yourself, or you can have it professionally built.
Building a log cabin is likely the priciest solution on the list, but the benefits will outweigh the cost. In most countries, you don’t need a permit to build a log cabin.
Just like your attic, a log cabin can make the most of natural light. And, just like your basement, it can offer a peaceful work environment. If you often have to talk with clients in your home office, not only will your log cabin serve as a professional environment for your meetings, but you can rest assured that it will impress them.
Log cabins are energy efficient. Timber is a great natural insulator. The air pockets found within wood create a natural barrier to cold and heat. Your energy bill won’t be much higher than what it is now if you set up a log cabin office.
Most cabins are designed to be warm in winter and cool in summer, so you will be able to use your log cabin office all year round. And, when you have an office that’s not a part of the house, it’s easier to maintain a healthy work-life balance. In case you ever decide to sell your house, do know that a backyard log cabin will increase the value of your property.
Trailer
If you don’t think you can afford to add a new room to your house, or build a log cabin in your home, one alternative is to restore an old trailer and use it as a home office. You’ll even be able to claim your trailer office as a business deduction. And, if things don’t work as well as you planned, you can always re-sell it.
Trailers come in all shapes and sizes, so you should be able to find one that is perfect for your needs. Most quality trailers come with wiring, air conditioning, and furniture. All you’ll need to do is hook it up to a power source and customize it to your liking.
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