Some people have come to love the work-from-home setup while some dread the whole idea of working away from their colleagues. Although we do not certainly know when we can all safely go back to the office, one sure thing is work-from-home is a trend that would not go away soon. That said, your home has to adjust to this newly introduced need.
Sure, you have had your makeshift office set up for some time now. You configured it time and again to how it looks today and, mainly, to fit your work-related movements. But, let us be honest, you might still have unmet needs because the house was not originally meant for working as long as a regular workday. To add, most of us surely have had to deal with to loss of focus because of homely distractions.
Often, too, it has been hard to focus back to where we left our work off. If you share a similar dilemma, these DIY work-from-home office hub ideas would probably be of great help:
A WFH Pod
Why not build a home office separate from your house? This workshop idea has been around for ages now. We did not know it was something we had to prepare for before the pandemic.
This time, though, instead of the workshop being an exclusive place to enjoy your hobbies or out-of-work passion projects, you are going to build one in which you can physically separate your home life from your work life. The Internet lends us numerous ideas of how to go about such a small-scale project but, otherwise, one you could make use of for a long time. One of those is repurposing an old shipping container.
According to manufacturing standards, most small shipping containers are as long as 20 feet and could cost roughly $3,00, whereas big ones are 40 feet long and costs around $4,000. Depending on your space needs, you can have the container cut shorter and cover the cut part with a wall panel containing your door. But, make sure that you safely clean the interior of the container before furnishing it because most shipping containers are coated with industrial chemicals that help preserve goods for long-distance transportation.
If getting in touch with a shipping container supplier proves to be a challenge for you, you could always opt to build from scratch, which is more cost-effective given the size of the structure you are going to build. Start by sketching a floor plan and, if you can, translate your dream office design into actual colored drawings.
Make it as detailed as possible by adding office implements like your desk, chair, cabinets, and computers and their dimensions so you don’t end up with a too-tight office. Also, allot space for furniture you do not have yet but you plan on including like a mini-fridge, a lounge chair, and a coffee table.
Unless you already have a separate garage that is unused and that you can convert into your office, you will have to hire masons to assist you in building a concrete four-wall structure and you can take the project from there. The structure should have at least one window to allow in natural light, if not a glass door that can also give the illusion of more space. To be more practical, buy discount steel supplies and other building materials in bulk.
Paint your walls with your designed color or, to make the room exude more of your individuality, paste on a stylish wallpaper. If you paint your walls, give it a week or two to dry and set before furnishing the office.
Connectivity
Contract the help of an electrician to extend your house’s electrical connection to your new home office. Be strategic on where you will place your electrical outlets like behind your office table and fridge. It would be better if you add outlet switches so you can turn off the electrical connection if the office is not in use.
Also, consider what lights you would use and where you would rather put them. While white light is proven to boost productivity, which explains why it is used in office settings, you might want adjustable lighting that could emit relaxing yellow tones for those times you want to unwind from work. If not, have a lamp that has a warmer light by your desk.
Request your local internet service provider to also extend WiFi connectivity to your office. Perform a speed test on your phone, computer, and other work-relevant gadgets (that needs connectivity, of course) in their presence, so they can correct connectivity issues just before they leave.
If your lot has some extra yard space and you see yourself working from home for longer, setting up a separate office from your house might just be a great idea. In a dedicated WFH pod, you can work with undivided attention, maximize your work hours and, in turn, enjoy your free time!
Meta title: Guide to Building a DIY Work From Home Office
meta desc: Are you still working from home? By now, you might have realized its challenges, including the distractions around you. Give these DIY office ideas a try to regain the focus you need.
