Homes aren’t always equipped with office area. Sometimes we find ourselves retrofitting a corner in the kitchen or a spot in the hallway for a workspace. This remedy is smart, but it might not offer you the solitude or quiet you want to keep productive. Whether this scenario feels comfortable to you, consider looking north to get a new workplace: The loft might be just the spot. Tucked away in the chaos of the regular, the loft can be transformed to a quaint and tranquil area, perfect for attaining a day’s job.
Does just the thought get you motivated? These skilled tips can get your loft transformation.
Diederich & Kim Architects
Consider obtaining an expert’s opinion. If you are about to change a currently unused area, get the room correctly assessed before taking action. The last thing you want to do is begin a new job before ensuring that everything is safe and sound. “First and foremost, it’s important to talk to a structural engineer to confirm whether the loft floor joists were created to encourage the new usage of the space, or if they will need to be reengineered for live loads,” says architect Charlie Barnett.
Woodmeister Master Builders
Embrace a sliver of space. Just have a chunk of usable space in your loft? Rather than deeming it useless, optimize it. You might be surprised by how little space is needed for a functional and comfortable workplace. Ensure that you are able to move easily throughout the room, you can set it up according to your wants, and you’ve got a strategy for creating storage or shelving. With those things in mind, you should be all set.
Charlie Barnett Associates
Strategy for windows. The last thing you want in a room where you’ll be spending hours on hours is not having ample light. Natural light particularly can have an immediate effect on motivation and mood. “To get a successful conversion of an attic into a house office, the room should allow for a well-proportioned window that can be incorporated into the general structure of the home, either in the shape of a dormer — if the roof and town codes allow for that — a gable window or a nice operable skylight,” says Barnett.
Believe bright with white. Continue to lighten by picking white or a light neutral to the walls and furnishings. “Again, you are spending great chunks of time in here,” says Barnett. “Transforming it into a pleasant and comfy area will immediately make it more habitable.”
Michael Abraham Architecture
Consider built-ins. “Because loft spaces are typically just tiny rooms pinched between low walls and pitched ceilings, they can be challenging to furnish with commercially available off-the-shelf office cabinetry that is usually large and bulky,” says Barnett. “In such scenarios, custom cabinetry made especially for customer needs offers the best outcomes.”
Holly Marder
Transform sloped walls to storage area. Sloped walls can result in great storage, according to designer Ashley Roi Jenkins. If built-ins are outside your budget, or if you would like to accompany them with less-expensive freestanding shelves, then place shelves in the area beneath sloped walls that may otherwise go unused. This isn’t the ideal spot to get a desk, as you may reach your mind, so low shelving units are an perfect addition.
Make sure that the space works like an office. “Along with design and decor, the new electric and communicating requirements for the modern day office need special focus,” says Barnett. A home office will not get you very far if it’s not equipped with electric outlets, Internet and phone service, a fax and a printer.
AJArchitects.com llc
Avoid clutter. Even when you’re working with a huge area, fill it only with the essentials. A cluttered office does not just lead to disorganization; it can end up being a diversion. “Once you’ve successfully changed the space into an office, keep in mind it is indeed a workplace, no more an attic for storage,” says Jenkins. “Don’t fill it up with too many products.”
Jaque Bethke for PURE Design Environments Inc..
Ensure it is comfortable. Again, you’ll be spending considerable time, so set it up as you would any other area in the house. “Furnish it with a cozy carpet, or plants and flowers to make the outdoors,” says Jenkins. “It introduces comfort and a feeling of harmony.”