Working from home can be both a blessing and a curse. On the one hand, you get to enjoy perks such as a two-minute commute and working in your pajamas. On the other, you have to deal with many distractions in the form of other family members, pets, chores, TV noise, your warm comfy bed, etc. These can present a significant obstacle and even hinder your performance. If you are reading this article, it’s safe to say you don’t have a spare room you can dedicate to work. But have you thought about remodeling your basement? This cold, gloomy area might not seem too inviting now, but a little bit of planning and effort is all you really need to turn your basement into a productive home office. 

Define your needs and come up with a plan 

Every successful makeover starts with a good plan, and this one is no different. Before you begin tackling the cobwebs, you must put your needs and wants on paper. This will help you execute the project smoothly and without too many obstacles.  

Are you going to turn your entire basement into a home office or just one corner? Will major improvements be necessary, or do you only need to implement a few cosmetic changes? Once you come up with realistic answers to these questions, you will better understand what your next course of action is. 

Perform a thorough inspection of your basement 

Got a rough idea of what you want out of your home office? Fantastic! The next thing you should under no circumstances skip is a basement inspection. Basements are typically connected to the rest of the home via ducts, vents, and pipes, making moisture a very prevalent problem among homeowners. Floods are not uncommon in Minnesota either, which makes a thorough inspection of the space all the more important. After all, you probably don’t want to invest thousands of dollars into your new workspace only to have to deal with persistent odors, mold, and stains. 

Whichever issue you discover during the inspection, make sure to resolve it before moving on to the next steps. Only this way will you be able to turn your basement into a productive home office. Whether the existing basement is already finished or not, our team is able to assist with determining any issues, violations, and potential concerns you may want to address before moving forward. 

 

Devise a reasonable budget to avoid costly surprises 

This part is especially important if you want to remodel the basement in your new home. Relocations and renovations are not cheap, and you probably want to have a simple process when it comes to both. Luckily, Castle Building & Remodeling has a proven process that helps eliminate almost all surprises in your remodel.  

It’s always wise to know how much you are willing to spend; this is where you need to be objective and realistic. Our website has samples of project pricing that you can review to get a good idea of how much you should set aside for your potential project. Once you’ve met with your designer, they can give you a custom estimate on how much your project will realistically cost. They will also be able to help you find solutions within your budget so that you don’t have to give up your must-haves. 

One way to help mitigate costs is by doing some of the projects yourself. Many of our homeowners jump in and get their hands dirty. This helps cut labor costs and keep your final costs low. That being said, there are crucial parts of a remodel that are best left to the professionals.  

Figure out the perfect layout 

The final thing you need to figure out before you move on to the fun part is the layout of your future home office. Here are a few factors you should consider to come up with the ideal arrangement of your basement workspace: 

• Your work needs in terms of the required equipment and space 
• The size, shape, and proportions of the room 
• Noise issues 
• Privacy 

If you need absolute peace and quiet to be productive on the job, consider soundproofing your basement. Positioning your desk away from the door is also a good idea. If the basement has more than one purpose (i.e., a game or laundry room), think about dividing the space with a wall, partition, or bookcase. 

Pay special attention to lighting 

Most basements come without natural sources of light, with isn’t precisely ideal, productivity-wise. To turn your basement into a productive home office, you will need to pay special attention to lighting. And this doesn’t only include lamps and other forms of artificial light. 

Start by painting the room in a bright color. This will open up the space and maximize illumination. The same applies to your furniture and decor. In addition to that, make sure to include several sources of light so that you can adjust the brightness according to your needs, mood, and time of day. A quality desk lamp is a must, but you shouldn’t forget about ceiling fixtures, under cabinet lights, and other forms of task lighting either. 

Additionally, if possible, consider adding a couple of windows. Marvin’s windows are an especially attractive addition. Not only will they complement the interior design of your basement office, but they will also make you feel more comfortable while working and even lower your home’s energy consumption. 

Think about storage 

Storage is an essential part of a productive workspace. After all, who can focus when there is clutter all around the place? Moreover, you likely already use your basement for storing various items, which means you will need to find a solution to keep things looking neat. This is where you don’t want to skimp because a well-organized space will make all the difference in your workday. 

Your storage options are endless, and they will depend solely on your needs. Wall-mounted units are an excellent space-saving solution, while different kinds of shelves guarantee a stylish look. Filing cabinets are a must if you need to organize a lot of paperwork and work-related files. 

Do not neglect comfort 

We’ve already established that basements, in and of themselves, are not the most inviting places. If you want to turn your basement into a productive home office, it’s a good idea to mix things up with some decorative pieces and comfy furniture. Put a few pictures on the walls, add area rugs, and include a plush sofa where you can recharge and stretch after spending hours in your work chair. This way, you will actually look forward to Mondays! 

Meta description: Take a look at how you can turn your basement into a productive home office to minimize the distractions and maximize the perks of working from home.