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Last Updated on January 20, 2024 by Work In My Pajamas
If you’re working out of your home and need more space to get everything in order, then consider taking over all or part of your garage. You won’t have to give up any of your interior space, you’ll have easy access for clients, and you can maximize your tax write-off. The only question you have it how you’ll go about getting the new home office organized. You’ll be relieved to know that this part is actually quite easy.
In This Post:
Develop a Plan
In order to determine where you want to go, it’s important to define your needs. Consider both furniture and storage requirements before drawing out a plan. Look at the marketing and financial materials you need to store. Ask yourself if customers will ever see this space or if it’s strictly behind the scenes. Determine what type of workstation you’ll need and prefer. Developing the plan ahead of time will make it easy to determine how much space you’ll need and if there’s be any room left in the garage for other activities.
Take Over the Floor by Going Vertical
You need floor space for a home office, and that means that your storage areas need to go vertical. One great idea is to install shelves around your ceiling where you can store bins and other supplies. One underutilized space is the open feet directly above the garage door. With the door closed, you can put shelves or racks above the level of your door rails. Use this area for spare wood, bins, and other items.
Office Storage That Works for You
You want to keep your office organized, and that can mean having work items neatly out of sight. Custom auto designer Dave Kindig recently had his garage customized for storage, and you can have the same type of setup for your type of business. A slat wall system can be used for your files, and hanging cabinets are perfect for marketing materials and tools. Designate one storage area for your office supplies, and have another dedicated space for the household items that are still stored in the garage.
Flooring Matters
Whether you’re going to see clients in this office or not, the flooring you choose does matter. You may still want a professional feel so that you can focus better and keep your business moving forward. Don’t leave the plain concrete floor in place. Either cover it with a more appropriate flooring or have a company provide you with a decorative, polished finish that’s worth of the business space. Include some soft flooring material for you to stand or walk on to reduce back strain.
Light It Up
The fluorescent lighting available in most garages won’t make the cut when you’re working on the computer or trying to put a proposal together. Pendant lights will give you task lighting where you need it, but the garage can still start to feel like a cave if you’re not careful. Rather than adding windows to the walls, consider going with skylights. You’ll bring in the natural light while still maintaining your walls for storage areas. If you’ve always wanted an office with a view, then consider adding some small portal windows near the main door.
Your garage can become a functional and attractive office that will suit your needs perfectly. It’s possible to make this a temporary change by keeping the overhead door, going with temporary flooring solutions, and keeping the storage areas versatile. That way, you can convert the garage back to its original condition for selling, but you’ll still have upgraded storage options that will appeal to potential buyers. Before you start moving all of your stuff out to storage, sit down and draw up a plan to see how the right system will let you use the garage as a functional storage area and your own private office.
