One of the most exciting parts of building a custom home is having the opportunity to design every room of the house. Because consumers want to craft a product that fits their lifestyle, many first-time builders wonder if they should incorporate a home office into their plan.
There are several reasons why a home office can be a great addition, but like any custom home choice, it’s important to consider the disadvantages as well. In either case, a good custom home builder should be able to help you determine the best way to include an office in your design. In the meantime, below are some pros and cons to help your decision.
3 Benefits Of A Home Office
An office can make a nice addition to your custom home for a number of reasons. Here are a few of them:
1. Ability To Work Remotely
This one may seem obvious, but having an established place inside your custom home that is dedicated to working can set you up for success, especially if you’re currently working from home or plan to pursue remote work in the future. With more and more companies adopting a remote work model, this is becoming fairly important. Having the ability to effectively work from home will save you a significant amount of time and money. You can eliminate your commute to work, save on gas, and reduce the amount of money you spend eating out for lunch. If you can focus on your work from the comfort of a home office while eliminating distractions, it’s likely to increase productivity as well.
2. Increased Home Value
Remote work is likely here to stay for thousands of employees, which means many future buyers are going to be looking for homes that include a nice working space. Home offices used to be a showpiece, but now they’re a requirement for many buyers. Incorporating an office into your custom home is a good way to make your home more appealing if and when you plan to list it on the market.
3. Home Offices Are Customizable
To get started, a custom home builder can guide you on the best location for your home office. They can help you decide on the best trims, paint, and windows so that you can make the most of the space. From there, you’ll be able to optimize lighting, hang your favorite artwork, and add all the furniture you need to make your home office a place where you can work comfortably and maximize productivity.
Disadvantages Of A Home Office
While a home office makes it significantly easier to work from home, there are some drawbacks to keep in mind:
1. You May Need An Extra Bedroom
Many custom home builders add a home office at the expense or sacrifice of maintaining a guest bedroom. But what happens if you need that extra bedroom in the future? Keeping an open room allows you more flexibility as your life changes. If you’re a young couple, you may need to use the space as a nursery, or if you have aging parents, you may need them to move in at some point. When faced with the choice, some people would prefer to maintain an extra bedroom as opposed to transforming it into a home office.
2. Ability To Maintain Work-Life Balance
While a home office makes it convenient to get work done, it also makes it too easy to work. In other words, having a home office prevents many people from disconnecting and can result in burnout from working too many hours. When the line between work and home is blurred, many people don’t take the time to unplug or switch out of work mode. When your office is built into your home, it can be easy to resume working after dinner or on weekend mornings. It’s important to remember that just because you included an office in your custom home, you’re not required to work around the clock. Also, remember that your home office isn’t just for work. It can also be a space that you use to read, study, and relax.
3. Collaborative Work Can Be Difficult
Despite the rapid adoption of video conferencing software, working too much from home can cause you to miss out on important interactions with colleagues. After all, there is really no substitute for face-to-face communication. If you’re collaborating with others on a project or assignment, working from your home office could potentially hinder communication. Spending too much time alone can also impact your mental health.
Deciding Where To Put Your Home Office
If you’re thinking about dedicating an entire room of your new custom home to an office space, your home builder can help you decide where to put it and help you choose everything from windows to paint color. It’s also a good idea to create your office in a room that is going to receive adequate sunlight exposure, and you’ll want to ensure your desk is facing any windows to avoid glare on your computer screen.
If you don’t want to dedicate an entire room of your custom home to an office, you can always consider setting one up in the corner of the living room, under a staircase, or in the basement. Home offices can be versatile.
Having a home office can increase your property value while helping you to stay productive and organized, but they’re not the right fit for every family. While there are many benefits, whether or not it’s the right decision ultimately depends on your family, situation, and lifestyle. If you’re not sure, a good custom home builder can help you evaluate your options.
If you’re thinking about building a new home in the Central Florida area, contact us at Atlas Homes. Our line of custom home products has options for everyone from first-time homebuyers to empty nesters. We not only build high-quality homes, but we also create an enjoyable building experience for all of our customers.