Making the Home Office More Conducive to Work

More than half of all businesses in the United States are operated primarily from a home, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. In addition, research by Global Workplace Analytics estimates that 25-30% of Americans will work from home, at least partially, by 2021. This number has been hugely influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic, forcing businesses to rethink their remote operation capabilities.

However, as remote work becomes more readily accepted, few homes are designed to accommodate a home-based business or telecommuting. When a home is built exclusively to provide living space and not to satisfy the demands of work, this can create a number of conundrums: how to create a professional environment for clients in a private living space; how to get the quiet conducive to work in the same area where a family lives; and how to find space for multiple computers needed for both work and study, among others.

These are important considerations for someone who works from home, and Hatfield (now Alair Homes- Plano) Builders & Remodelers knows how to resolve these challenges. As a leading Dallas, TX home remodeler, here are some features that we can include in a remodeling project to accommodate home-based work and the modern family.

• Solid doors. What we perceive as noise is actually sound waves traveling through a wall or door, causing it to vibrate. Properly installed, solid-core doors can provide far more noise reduction than hollow-core doors. Installing weatherstripping and a bottom sweep will further cut down noise around the home office.
• Soundproof insulation. Our professionals can create a quiet zone by adding soundproofing insulation between studs or joists in the attic and walls around a home office.
• Cabinets and storage areas. Don’t lose time searching for important files and books because you don’t have a place to put them. Dedicated cabinets* and office storage help you sort and organize it all, and prevent work-related materials from getting lost in other areas of the home.
• Separate workspaces. When there are multiple members of the family in need of space for business and study, we can help you evaluate the type, size and location of the spaces to achieve the best business-family balance, from kitchen desk spaces to a separate home office structure.
• And more. Let us create the ideal space for your home-based business with innovative renovations that solve your hindrances to productivity.

*While we don’t do built-ins at this time, we are happy to help customize your space as part of a larger project.