SPECIAL SECTION HOME IMPROVEMENT
which you feel comfortable. Chances are,
you may also need a degree of privacy to do
your best work.
One of the most overlooked factors
in productivity is lighting. Many studies
demonstrate that natural lighting is best
whenever possible, and results in more
productivity among workers and a more
positive attitude toward the work itself.
Lighting can have a profound effect on
your mood and can even influence your
hormones. A good overview of this subject
is provided by Andrew Jensen, a business
growth, efficiency and marketing consultant,
at AndrewJensen.net.
If placing your home office in an area
with windows is not possible, try the soft
lighting of a lamp instead, and try to avoid
harsh fluorescents. Adding a silk plant or
two, along with a picture of the outdoors,
will help transform a windowless area into
a more inviting space. Warm colors such as
reds, yellows and orange will also help warm
up an otherwise dark office area such as a
basement.
Next, you’ll want to design your
workspace with cabinetry where office
supplies and files can be tucked neatly out
of sight. Shelving that is custom-designed
for the way you work can transform even a
tiny space into an efficient work area. Having
cabinets and shelves that are suited to your
exact purpose will eliminate a great deal
of frustration and overwhelming feelings
of disorganization. A designer and expert
carpenter can help you get the most from
your workspace.
Just because you don’t have an entire
room in your house to dedicate to your
home office doesn’t mean you can’t have a
dedicated workspace. Even a closet can be
transformed into a workspace with the right
planning, and the whole office can be put
away at day’s end by simply closing the closet
door.
If you have even less space to work with,
try a wall-mounted desk that can be extended
when in use and collapsed flush with the
wall when it’s not. Cubby holes built into the
interior wall area can also provide places for
storage in a tight space. A creative builder
can help you make the most of your available
space.
If your work area is not separated from the
rest of your home and building a wall is not
an option, there are still attractive ways to
define your space. For example, tall wooden
shutters can be linked together with hinges
and painted any color to create a private area.
Though not soundproof, they can create an
intimate atmosphere of privacy when needed
for oneself or seeing clients. Tall silk plants,
such as a series of ficus trees, can also be used
to divide the space.
Don’t skimp on your office chair! It’s
likely a place where you will be sitting for
several hours every single day. Make sure it’s
comfortable and provides plenty of lumbar
support, in addition to being an attractive
addition to your office. Visit Spine-Health.
com for some helpful suggestions on
choosing the right chair that will work best
for you.
BATHROOM BEAUTY
Though your bathroom may not spring to
mind as the place to hold your next cocktail
party, with the right accoutrements your bath
can be a great place to hang out and enjoy life.
And if you live with family members, it may
be the only place in your house where you can
truly be alone for a bit.
Besides just being a place to “get ready”
to meet the day, it’s also a relaxing space
to recharge your batteries after a long
week at work. Hydrotherapy is one of the
best ways to relieve stress and help tired,
overworked muscles. With tons of specialized
showerheads, you can have everything from
the sprinkle of a gentle rain to an invigorating
massage to bring your body back to center.
And a nice relaxing bath in a soaker tub can
make the world go away for a while.
Does all of this sound like a fantasy? Maybe
not. According to designer Mary Laipple,
Director of the Kitchen and Bath Design
LIGHTEN UP
Have you been wondering if there’s a
way you can cut your energy bills while
helping to contribute to a greener
environment? Though Pennsylvania
may not immediately spring to mind as
a sunny locale, solar power is readily
available and already being used in
hundreds of area homes successfully.
Think of it like this: If there were a river
flowing by your house and you only had
a five-gallon bucket to collect the water,
you would only be able to use five
gallons. But if you had 20 five-gallon
buckets, you could have all the water
you needed. Solar energy functions in
a similar way. If you live in an area that
does not get a lot of sun, by adding more
solar panels you can collect more sun.
According to lead designer Ian Smith
of Energy Independent Solutions, the
Pittsburgh area is able to produce about
80% of the solar power that Miami,
Florida, does! There are also attractive
options for installing the panels, such
as all-black panels and solar shingle
products that blend the panels in with
your roof. Solar awnings can be installed
on a pergola or carport. And with flat
roofs, the panels are generally not
visible at all. There are also ground-
mounted systems that are separate
from your home.
Smith adds that the initial cost for an
average-size home of 2,000 sq. ft. might
range from about $15,000 to $25,000,
which is recouped over a few years.
Some areas may also offer incentives or
tax benefits for switching to solar.
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