SPECIAL SECTION: HOME IMPROVEMENT
organized, designed well, and in 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 to 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 that 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 can collapse 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 office 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 workspace. For example, tall wooden
shutters can be linked together with hinges
and painted to 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 that it’s comfortable and provides
plenty of lu mbar 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.
THE GREAT ESCAPE –
YOUR BATHROOM
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 Studio at 84 Lumber, you may be able
to make updates to your bath for less than
you might expect.
“If a homeowner is just updating and
not moving plumbing, heating ducts and
electricity, the makeover can start at around
$10,000,” says Laipple. And the choices for
today’s bath are incredibly enticing. Laipple
says that many homeowners are opting for
larger showers that will not only get you
clean, but can also bathe you in LED lighting
Continued on next page >
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