Converting Your Teen’s Bedroom into a Home Office
- Real Estate Tips
- Encinitas Homes, encinitas real estate, Encinitas real estate agent, encinitas realtor, home in encinitas, homes for sale in encinitas, homes in encinitas, Linda Moore, real estate agent in encinitas, real estate tips
- September 10, 2014
It can be a bittersweet moment when your teenager leaves the nest, and heads out on their own. It can also be a wonderful opportunity to convert their now spare bedroom into a home office! More and more people are choosing to work from home, and having a suitable space to work out of is the key to staying productive. Follow these tips, and you’ll have a fully-functional office space in no time.
1. Clear out the Clutter
If your teen has left some of their belongings behind in their old room, you will need to clear away the clutter before you can start setting up your office. I recommend boxing everything up and labeling it clearly, just in case there’s anything important that they may need later on.
2. Reclaim the Space
Now that your new office is bare, you can get to work on reclaiming the space. Your teen has likely spent years making the room their own, and their tastes may not always gel with a comfortable and productive work environment.
If the room has hardwood floors, consider adding a large surface rug. This can provide a professional look to the room, and protect the floors from getting scuffed by office furniture. If the bedroom is carpeted, you may want to replace it with soft tiles. This will make using an office chair a bit more comfortable, and looks better than laying down plastic floor mats.
3. Choose Your Colors
Choosing the right colors for the walls of your new office is one of the most important details to focus on. If you let your teen paint their bedroom, their tastes may not be the best for your needs.
Try to focus on warm, soft colors. Light blues or tans are perfect choices, and are typically associated with calming and comfortable emotions. Avoid colors that are too loud, like reds and yellows. White walls might seem like a good neutral choice, but could end up being harsh on the eyes, especially if you are spending your day staring at a computer screen.
4. Add the Proper Furnishings
No office is complete without the proper furniture. You’ll need the essentials like a desk and chair, computer, telephone, and wastebasket. Depending on the work you do, other additions like filing cabinets and bookshelves could be useful.
You can also add a comfortable chair or small sofa to the office, to give the space a softer touch. This can be great if you plan to have clients visit, or want to give yourself a place to relax during the day. If you plan to spend your entire workday inside your office so you don’t get distracted, consider putting in a mini fridge for your food and beverages.
The most important thing is selecting furnishings that allow you to do your job comfortably. Avoid overcrowding the space. You want to have enough room to work, and still be able to comfortably move around the office.
5. Add the Finishing Touches
No office is complete without some personal touches that express who you are, even if you are the only one who will see them. Family photographs and potted plants are classic touches, and framed artwork can really add to the space. Just make the space your own, and choose pieces that are fun without being distracting.
Watching your child leave the nest can be hard, but with these tips, you can fill your empty nest with a comfortable and functional home office.
