Real Estate -- Home: The New Classroom and Office

By Nicole Foster Broker/ REALTOR

You might have never fancied yourself a homeschooler or even a teacher but many parents are now tasked once again with working from their homes while providing necessary support for their distant learning or homeschooling students. Maybe you have not wanted to spend your time indoors this summer retrofitting your home for distant learning and/or work but the need is at your door once again. Working at the kitchen table isn’t ideal and can impact productivity and stress levels. One of the number one amenities buyers are looking for is a space that they can designate as an at home work space.  Homeowners are faced with some difficult and overwhelming decisions about how to best use their often limited space to accommodate everyone’s daily needs and many have been getting creative.

Here are a few tips to help you to get started with creating your own designated work areas at home:

1) Location, location, location

Consider what the needs will be for the space you’re creating. An open office in a high traffic area or pocket office within or near the kitchen could be ideal for a younger student but an older student or working parent may require privacy and quiet with a closing door.  Establish whether or not the designated work space needs to be near other people in the home or more distant from everyone.

2) Light It Up

Whether it’s an in home classroom or office, having adequate light will be important to reduce eye strain and create the right setting. Don’t rely on a singular source of light from one overhead fixture; instead make sure there are several different types of lights by adding lamps and removing or opening room darkening window treatments to let in more natural light. Consider swapping out an already existing interior door for a full glass or 15 light door which can eliminate noise while significantly increasing a room’s natural light. I have one on both my at home and agency office doors and am in

love with the effect and I also feel natural light is the best type.

3) Be Kind to Your Body

Prevent repetitive injuries and help to increase your productivity by keeping ergonomics in the forefront of your room design and furniture placement. Choose a comfortable chair that supports good posture and allows for both feet to make firm contact on the floor. A mat on the floor and a chair with wheels will help you to maneuver getting in and out more easily. Change it up by using a physioball instead of a chair on occasion or purchase an adjustable desk which doubles as a standing station.

4) Permanent or Portable

It might make sense to establish a workspace that can be moved from one area of the home to another with ease. A smaller desk on wheels can work well in the right floor plan. Try to determine how much desk space you will actually be using and see if a more compact and portable arrangement  can be very practical and so simple that even a small amount of space can work well.

works best. Establishing multiple smaller “crash pads” in more than one area where you can go to with your work

5) Connectivity

You might have a shed or area in your basement that you can repurpose as a designated work space but your internet connection may be sluggish or simply not reach. Be sure to test your devices to see if you will need a boost in your connection. Also look for outlets and where certain things will need to be placed within the space, many older homes have limited outlets.

Add a few items which are pleasing to look at and select organizational items which can also provide a decorative function. Include those who will also be using the space by communicating your vision to get feedback along the way to help reduce frustration upon completion. <

Nicole Foster is a Broker with Locations Real Estate Group and a Windham resident who loves real estate and people.