Working from home can be a blessing and a curse. On one hand, you don’t have to commute to your workplace and you can enjoy all of the comforts of your own home. On the other, your home presents an endless number of distractions that can include taking care of pets and children, fitting in the odd chore, and the temptation to take a quick nap. Separate your work life from your home life by transforming your basement into a useful home office with the best basement remodeling services Northern VA has to offer.
- Schedule an inspection
Before starting any kind of home renovations, you need a professional to perform a comprehensive inspection. This step is especially important in basements. These underground areas are prone to leaks, flooding, and stability issues. By having an official inspection at this stage, you won’t be surprised by any practical issues later in the remodeling process. - Think about the office’s entrance
If you are planning to meet any clients or colleagues in a separate office space, you will probably be able to use the building’s existing entrance without a problem. However, if you plan to invite clients to your newly remodeled home office, you may want to consider having a separate entrance from the one in your home. This strategy is effective in separating your clients from your family and in ensuring that your guests don’t trip down any tricky basement steps. - Make the space work for you
Basements tend to have a limited amount of space, but you can make it function perfectly for your needs with some careful planning. Before construction begins, use chalk or tape to outline where pieces of furniture or decor will go. This will allow you to see how much free space is left and if you need to make adjustments to your plans. If you need to make more floor space available, consider purchasing desks that can fold into the wall and utilize sleek storage units. - Install good lighting
One of the biggest challenges of turning a basement into a home office is ensuring that you have the right lighting. You’ll first want to maximize the use of any upper windows in the basement and let as much natural light in as possible. If there aren’t windows in your basement, consult the basement remodeling services Northern VA trusts to look into the possibility of installing windows. Augment the natural lighting with a combination of smart functional lighting and task lighting to create a warm and practical space.
Nearly two-thirds of homeowners are planning on renovating, according to a recent survey. If your dreams for a home office places you in this group of homeowners, contact Oak Hill Building and Remodeling for the basement remodeling services Northern VA trusts today.