Are you one of the many Edmontonians that has made a semi-permanent or full-time shift to working from home? The past few years have seen much of our usual work habits shift, and with the lines between home and office becoming less defined, many homeowners are choosing to utilize extra space in their home to create a dedicated home office that allows them to work in peace. For those with an unfinished basement, the lower level of your home is the perfect place to set up shop and create a space that allows you to focus during the day, without taking up room in other areas of the home where the other members of your family like to relax and unwind.
At Peak Improvements, we’re here to help you create your dream home, and make sure you have the space you need to succeed. If you’re debating developing a home office in your basement, but aren’t sure how to make the most of your space, below we’ll cover some key factors you’ll want to consider prior to development. Read on to learn more!
Before You Begin
Finishing your basement, whether it’s with a home office or other dedicated space, is a wonderful way to add value to your home. With that being said, basement renovations do typically come with their own unique set of challenges due to plumbing, wiring, and the potential for moisture buildup. Before going ahead with any major plans, it’s always best to partner with an experienced contractor and have a thorough inspection done to see what will and won’t be possible within your space.
Noise Proofing and Insulation
If you’re designing a workspace, you’ll want to think of the many factors that make it easy for you to be productive, including the less obvious details like soundproofing and insulation. If you have children or pets in your home, sound absorption is even more essential. Working with your renovation team will make it easy to find the many ways you can help insulate your space while also making sure you do so in a safe manner. For example, when partnering with Peak Improvements, our in-house team of designers can work with you to select details like carpet or in-wall insulation that can help reduce sound transfer between floors.
Lighting
Lighting is an important part of any renovation, but it’s even more significant when you’re setting up a workspace. The lighting that’s most conducive to writing or computer work, for example, will be very different from the lighting you might put in a bedroom or bathroom. When designing your office space, consider the activities you do most, as well as the lighting that makes you feel the most comfortable, after all, you deserve to be the boss in your office!
Use Space Wisely
Depending on the size of your basement and your needs, you may find that you don’t need to use the entire lower level for your office space. In this case, you’ll want to carefully section out your design and ensure that everyone has the space they need to cohabitate comfortably while you’re working, while also keeping the above concerns front of mind. If you’re putting up extra walls to build a new den, consider using a thicker door and frame for extra noise proofing and ensure that your space has a clear separation between work and play.
Make Sure You Can Stay Connected
Finally, when working out of the basement, sometimes it can be hard to maintain optimal wifi or phone signals, so if either of these are vital to your workflow, you’ll need to find a viable workaround. Partnering with an experienced team like Peak’s will make this easy and will ensure you always have access to the tech you need.
Ready to Get Started?
Peak Improvements is Edmonton’s first choice for home renovations including basement redevelopments and more.
Our proven six-stage process and years of experience make renovations hassle-free, giving you everything you need to build the home of your dreams. Contact Peak Improvements to learn more about building a custom home office now!