In today’s workforce, more Americans than ever are bringing their work home, literally.
According to experts, roughly 43% of Americans work from home at least part-time, while 20% call home their primary work-space.
If you’re among the millions who are now using their house as their job’s headquarters, there are measures that you can take to make your workweek more productive. Setting up a dedicated space, separate from your home’s hustle and bustle, is one of the top recommendations for remote workers.
Many of us lack the space to dedicate a spare room to our work duties. But, that doesn’t mean that you can’t have a fully functional, top-notch home office.
Converting a garage into an office is a practical and smart solution.
Want to know how you can make your garage into the perfect office space?
We’re sharing everything you need to know about converting a garage into an office!
How to Make Working at Home a Win-Win
Working from home definitely has its advantages.
A recent study performed by Stanford professor Nicholas Bloom, published by the National Bureau of Economics Research, revealed that work-at-home employees report higher production rates, are more engaged, and happier than those who work in an office.
The study also found that allowing employees this flexibility can save the company a substantial amount of money and results in 50% better attrition rates. This makes the arrangement significantly beneficial for the employer.
But, how can those doing the work ensure that they reap equally satisfying rewards?
Experts suggest that carving out an office space in your home that’s dedicated to working is essential. Additionally, the right furniture, lighting, and storage, among other things, can make a big difference in how satisfied and productive you are.
Our guide to converting a garage into an office will help you get the most out of your home office.
Top Tips for Converting a Garage into an Office You’ll Love
1. Start From the Ground Up
Many garages have concrete flooring or another type of floor typically used for industrial use.
If this is the case, any cracks or stains should be fixed or removed, if possible.
Also, your home office should be inviting and attractive. After all, you want it to be conducive to work. Also, you will probably spend a lot of time there.
If you can, consider splurging a little to make your office into the best possible work environment that it can be.
You may want to upgrade the flooring or install new flooring. Winward Engineering offers durable top coats and powder coating that can improve the look and texture of your garage floor.
2. A Fresh Coat of Paint
You should definitely apply a fresh coat of paint to walls.
Standard uses of a garage tend to create smears and smudges on the walls and a fresh paint job will cover any stains or scratches up.
Also, the current paint may be for exterior use. Choosing interior paint in a calm, neutral color will help you get in the right frame of mind during working hours.
3. Lighting
Instead of the fluorescent overhead lighting that is typically found in garages, you may want to consider adding a light fixture that provides warmer light. Florescent lighting is not always the preferred option for the office.
You could also add a couple of lamps if you do not want to install a new overhead fixture. This may be a less expensive option, while still providing ample warm lighting.
4. Office Furniture
You will need to have a sturdy, functional desk and a comfortable chair. Since you will probably spend most of your office time at your desk, make sure that the chair provides adequate back support and that it allows you to comfortably reach the desk’s surface.
5. Storage Solutions
You should definitely think about storage when you are converting a garage into an office.
There may be garage or household items that will need to be stored in surrounding areas. If so, you can create an area of the room where these items can be discretely stored in bins, away from your primary office space.
Also, you will need to store your work-related materials, such as files, paper, books, and other items that you will need. Easy to use office storage, such as shelving and file cabinets, will aid in organization and make sure that items are handy when you need them.
6. Organization is Key
Sometimes, it can be more challenging to keep your home office neatly organized, as the chance that many others will see it on a regular basis is lower than when you share a building with co-workers. Still, office organization should be a priority to help you maintain focus and productivity.
There are plenty of do-it-yourself solutions for desk organization. Your local dollar store probably has plenty of containers and organizers to keep contents separated and for neatly organizing the surface area.
7. Office Essentials
When setting up your home office, make a list of everything that will be required to do your job. You might want to list items by categories, including office supplies, technology, and equipment.
You will probably also benefit from keeping a small caddy of cleaning supplies, a broom, dust-pan, and other housekeeping must-haves within reach.
Before you begin working in your new space on a regular basis, it will help if you have everything you need to do your job effectively. Not only will this help you be your most productive, it will also reduce frustration.
Need Professional Help?
Converting a garage into an office can be an overwhelming job for one person to take on.
You might want to hire a professional service to complete certain tasks, such as painting or wiring, that are especially difficult or time-consuming.
Check out our site to find the professional services and advice that you need!