Posts Tagged ‘Study’
by admin, 3:57 PM on March 14th, 2012, Comments Off
More than 33 million workers in the U.S. — including employees, contractors, and small business owners – work at home at least a portion of the time. That number has risen more than 17 percent since 2006.
Designing a home office is a big undertaking. Prior to designing a home office, we will assess how you will use it and what requirements it must fulfill. Will this be your primary workspace, or a secondary space? You may spend eight or more hours a day in the space we create, and the decisions we make today can enhance the success of your work. Here are some key considerations for a home office design.
Location
This is one of the most important considerations of home office planning. Your basement may offer a quiet, isolated space, but natural light may be limited. Do you have young children? An office off the foyer may not work. Do you meet with clients or receive frequent deliveries? An upstairs bedroom might not be best.
Organization
A functional home office needs to include space for computer(s), file storage, printer, phone and possibly a project area for non-computer activities. Having computers and peripherals within easy reach makes for a more functional workspace. One element that often gets overlooked is wiring – power and computer connections. A good home office includes plenty of electrical outlets and allows for convenient, yet tucked-away access to cords and cables.
Light
Window placement in home offices can dramatically affect your work. South-facing windows give direct light all year long, but can create glare in fall and spring. North-facing windows reduce overall natural light and demand more artificial light in the room. East and west-facing windows can brighten a room early and late in the day. We’ll consider your light sources when we design your home office to maximize natural light and minimize glare. Task lighting is also important. Consistent natural light may not always be available, so bright under-cabinet or recessed ceiling lights can improve home office lighting.
Health
If you are working from home for someone else, they are required to ensure that you’re working in a safe and comfortable environment, meeting all the federal and state requirements. If you are working on your own, it’s up to you make your workspace as comfortable as possible. We’ll make sure your new space is as ergonomically designed as it can be.
A home office can add to your productivity. Contact our design team today to start designing your new workspace.
by admin, 10:54 AM on July 21st, 2011, Comments Off
Storage is a common problem for homeowners, but with effective and clever built-in cabinets, organization can be easy. Built- can turn empty, unused space into hardworking home offices, libraries or even entertainment centers. Built-in storage units can add hundreds of square feet to your home!
Here are just a few places where custom built-in cabinets and shelves can dramatically improve storage in your home.
Kitchen/Dining Room
A built-in china cabinet or buffet adds an elegant touch to any dining room. A breakfast nook in the kitchen can combine a cozy seating area with efficient storage options. These are particularly valuable in smaller, older homes.
Office/Library
Bookshelves, desks and workstations are central to a home office or library. Custom built-in cabinets, desks and shelving create space for books, important documents and of course, computer equipment.
Family Room/Entertainment Center
Games, toys and entertainment equipment can take up a lot of space in a family room. Helping the whole family keep these common areas organized can be a challenge. Custom built-in entertainment centers and storage cabinets make accessing games and equipment easy.
by admin, 2:31 PM on June 29th, 2011, Comments Off
Every year, countless homeowners make plans to create something new out of old basements. Not everyone is successful though. To avoid frustration and false starts, it’s important to have a vision.
Know What You Want
The first real step is to throw away traditional concepts of basements. A basement does not have to be a dark, dank storage area. Done well, a lower level can be a wonderful extra space with real potential. A basement can be a place a whole can enjoy and love to constantly visit.
Once a homeowner is resolved to create a beautiful living space, the next question is, “What kind of space do I want to add?” Every member of the family should be involved in this conversation. Some of the common ideas for remodeling include:
- Game room with mini bar
- Extra bedroom or guest room with bathroom
- Soundproof music room
- Gym or workout room
- Office or study area
- Children’s playroom or activity area
- Theater room or second living room
These are only some of the possible basement remodeling ideas homeowners have created. It’s easy to create a single themed room or to mix and match several elements for a more versatile living space. What is important is that the homeowners have a vision before beginning the project
Let Us Help
Some homeowners think remodeling can be done without hiring professionals. Throwing in a few couches and rugs is an entirely different story from reworking an entire area, though. Homeowners often encounter challenging basement problems such as low ceilings, exposed plumbing, damp walls and poor lighting. These are aspects that we have safely and efficiently dealt with in many projects.
We can help assess the feasibility of remodeling ideas. Not all plans will fit the existing state, structure or space of a basement. We can help make your dreams work seamlessly with your available space.
One other important role we play is to evaluate your budget. Before beginning your project, you would most likely already have an amount set aside for it. We can help you identify the costs for your vision and help find ways to create your dream basement and stay within your budget.
Your great basement remodeling ideas don’t have to turn into nightmares. You can make an aesthetically pleasing and enjoyable space out of a dark and forgotten basement. Let us help you create your vision for your perfect lower level.
