f you’re working from home, setting up a conducive working environment has undoubtedly crossed your mind. But plenty of people may shun this task due to financial constraints. This is especially true if you don’t want to entirely commit to a work-from-home (WFH) setup or if working from home is just a temporary setting.
With plenty of stylish and budget-friendly home office layout and tips, remodeling your home office shouldn’t cost you an arm and a leg. Regardless of your budget, with the right strategies, you can create a home office that doesn’t only promote productivity, but you can also rest assured that your new home office design will blend with your home’s existing decor.
Here are some tips to reduce home office remodel costs:
1. Have an accurate budget
Your personal taste and preference are the perfect source of inspiration when remodeling your home office. But if you don’t have a hefty budget, don’t buy the first office equipment you can find. That’s why setting a budget is the first step to reducing any remodeling cost.
Most home office remodel deduction projects cost between USD$5,000 to USD$22,000. In other words, you have to dedicate around USD$100 per square foot. Allocate some time researching online to find cheaper options, but ensure they’ll fulfill your requirements.
For example, if you have a 6x6 home office but don’t have the funds to remodel your home office fully, you can prioritize the project that needs your immediate attention. Doing so will allow you to save money, which you can use for other equipment. After all, remodeling on a budget requires careful planning.
2. Re-use, repurpose, and recycle
Now that you have a budget, the next step is to sort out existing office equipment into two categories: “Keep” and “Throw.” Doing so allows you to determine things that only take up space, giving room to items you need for better productivity. Remember to carefully evaluate belongings in the “Throw” option before letting them go.
Moreover, repurposing old furniture pieces, such as chairs, desks, cupboards, etc., allows you to remodel your home office for free. You can even strip down old tables from their old laminates and add a new one so it’ll match the theme you have in mind.
3. Choose the right pieces of furniture
In March 2020, there’s a 30% increase of patients complaining of pains and aches of the back and neck. Similarly, in a survey conducted for chiropractors in April of the same year, 92% of the respondents claim their patients complain of back, neck, and musculoskeletal pain because of staying at home. This is especially true for those who aren’t used to working from home.
Remember, working from home means you’ll spend most of your time sitting on a chair. So, when choosing one, don’t sacrifice quality and comfort. Moreover, you’ll likely feel uncomfortable with a disproportionate work desk because it’ll occupy too much space.
As a solution, you can allocate more than half of your remodeling budget to picking the right pieces of furniture. Choosing the right furniture involves knowing these essential details:
- Work requirements
- Your ideal chair and desk height
- The size of the room
4. Add nature
Most productive office space design tips involve adding some greeneries to the space. For one, plants will provide a splash of color in the room, sprucing up your home office’s aesthetic. Secondly, according to Psychology Today, having indoor and outdoor plants there are several mental health and emotional benefits. These benefits include:
- Reduces stress and symptoms of depression
- Strengthens memory
- Higher productivity and level of creativity
- Improves concentration and overall quality of life
If you want to experience these benefits, incorporate cheap and low-maintenance plants, such as:
- Snake plants
- Palms
- Pothos
- Walking iris
- Sansevieria
- Peace lily
Ideally, choose plants that diffuse light and are easy to maintain to reduce your costs further.
5. Practice proper organization
Regardless of the working setup, workers overwhelmed by the number of things in their workstations are more likely to procrastinate. Hence, when remodeling your home office, ensure that the outcome will promote a better organization.
If you have books or binders, start by adding plenty of storage space, specifically cabinets and wall shelves. Add some drawers, dividers, folders, containers, and mail organizers when sorting essential papers and supplies. Just make sure to separate personal belongings and bills from your work papers so you can easily find them whenever the need arises.
Additionally, consider investing in space-saving furniture––wall-desk, multipurpose tables, or folding chairs––when your home office is in your bedroom or living room. This way, you can seamlessly transition from relaxation mode to work mode.
Final thoughts
As you can see, remodeling your home office to suit your work needs doesn’t have to be expensive. Keeping the tips mentioned above in mind will result in a successful, comfortable, and cost-effective remodeling project.
Working with an expert remodeler will also eliminate the financial stress of planning a remodeling project. Make sure that the contracts have the experience, materials, office equipment, and financial options available to simplify your design-and-build process.
References
- “Home Office Renovation Costs”, Source: https://www.homeadvisor.com/cost/home-offices/#office-remodel-costs
- “A Side Effect of Working from Home: Back or Neck Pain That Needs Medical Attention,” Source: https://baptisthealth.net/baptist-health-news/how-to-prevent-ease-back-pain-during-the-pandemic-or-anytime/
- “The Pandemic of Work-From-Home Injuries,” Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/04/well/live/ergonomics-work-from-home-injuries.html
- “11 Ways Plants Enhance Your Mental and Emotional Health,” Source: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/cravings/201909/11-ways-plants-enhance-your-mental-and-emotional-health
- “12 Best Plants for the Office, Even if Your Desk Doesn’t Get Any Sunlight”, Source: https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/gardening/g36026908/best-office-plants/
- “The Case for Finally Cleaning Your Desk”, Source: https://hbr.org/2019/03/the-case-for-finally-cleaning-your-desk
