Date Archives: March 30th, 2020

Need a space for a home office but aren't sure where it should go? If you've got a spare room, then it's a no brainer. But if all your rooms already have a function, it may be a little trickier. Your office location may also hinge on whether you're working remotely and need a place to work fulltime, or you just need a place to pay bills.

Regardless of where you decide to set up, creating a dedicated office space can be fun. And as our REALTORS® around Long Island will tell you, it can also be a selling point that will make your home a stand out among other Nassau County homes for sale or Suffolk County homes for sale. Here are five possibilities for your home office.

Choosing a Home Office Space

1. Spare room. That spare room where you're stowing your unused stuff is the most obvious choice for your home office. Even if you've got a bed and chest of drawers in there for guests, you can still make room for a desk, some shelves, and a file cabinet. With today's computer equipment being so compact, you probably won't need that much space, but arrange things so you're not cramped. Get rid of stored items so it feels more like a serious workspace.
   
   Think light and airy when decorating. The days of dark wood and dim lighting are done. Choose simple, contemporary furniture with modern lines in grays, shades of white and black, but liven things up with a splash of color from pillows, a painting or framed photograph, or bold-colored drapes. Make your space comfortable so it's not like a prison and you dread going there.
   
   
2. Garage, basement or attic. If your garage, basement or attic is unfinished, consider renovating it for office space. You'll need drywall and insulation, carpeting or rugs over concrete floors, and some kind of heating — maybe a ductless mini-split, which can heat and cool and doesn't require ductwork. Just make sure it's warm and cozy, or you won't want to work there. Section your garage space off from tools and car with partitions.
   
   
3. Outdoor office. Manufactured sheds and outdoor buildings are being used these days for myriad purposes, including offices and studios, and can be finished out so that they're warm and habitable with ceramic heaters or mini-splits. Think carefully about windows and lighting if you have one of these built. 
   
   Another desirable feature about an outdoor office is you can close the door for privacy, or invite clients to come inside — which can be awkward inside your home.
   
   
4. Dining room table. This isn't the optimal choice but if space is at a premium, it may be your only choice. Use the dining room table or a kitchen counter for your laptop, and move your filing cabinet into a storage space or closet when you're not using it. It's really not advisable to work in a bedroom or any room where you usually relax, as you'll be drawn to think about finishing your work rather than sleeping or chilling out.
   
   
5. Closet. You may be blessed with a huge walk-in closet that you don't need for clothing and shoes. It can be ideal for a small office, with a work table, filing cabinet and even shelves and pegboard. Keep it neat and simple; paint the facing wall a calming color such as coral, light blue, or mint.

Our agents have other hints for creating an office space in your new or renovated Suffolk or Nassau County home for sale. Contact us today.