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Working from home is more popular today than ever before. According to surveys, 75% of adults find hybrid or remote work preferable to commuting. Of course, you need a distraction-free space to ensure productivity. If you have a garage, you can transform it into a home office with just a few adjustments. Be sure to track any improvements you make—it could increase your home’s value. You want to make sure the improvements are desirable to potential buyers.

Here are some ideas from Van Allen Plumbing about how to turn your garage into the home office you want.

Improve the Lighting

Lighting sets the mood for any room, so finding the right type is crucial to building a comfortable home office. Natural light is one of the best options, but most garages don't have large windows. Instead, you can supplement natural light with the following:

• Floor lamps
• Overhead lighting
• Desk lamps

Reorganize Your Space

Working in your garage means you need to balance personal storage and office organization. You can optimize by taking advantage of vertical space. Additionally, the following are helpful tools for keeping your work area in order:

• Hanging shelves
• Filing cabinets
• Desk organizers

Choose a Motivating Paint Color

Since you'll be spending a lot of time in your garage-office, you'll want the wall color to be welcoming. Bright colors can boost energy, while neutral colors promote serenity. You're sure to find a shade you love from the most popular options:

• Pale green
• Burnt orange
• Gray
• Mustard yellow
• Light blue

Install Durable Flooring

Slab concrete isn't the most comfortable or professional flooring. Upgrade your garage with options that are equal parts durable, pleasant, and sophisticated, such as:

• Engineered hardwood
• Bamboo
• Vinyl
• Linoleum
• Laminate

Upgrade Your Internet

If the majority of your work requires a computer, you must ensure you can access Wi-Fi from your garage. If coverage is spotty, try upgrading your internet speed and moving your router to a more central location.

Install a Bathroom

Having a conveniently accessible bathroom can be a game changer for a home office. Instead of having to sneak into the house and face a potential distraction, you can have your own bathroom built into your garage office. Plumbing projects can be daunting to the inexperienced, so trust the experts at Van Allen Plumbing to ensure that everything is installed properly.

Get Comfortable Furniture

A comfortable desk and chair go a long way. They can even improve your health, as ergonomic furniture helps prevent aches and strains that accompany long hours of sitting. As you search for the perfect furniture, consider the following:

• Adjustable desks
• Back support for chairs
• Multi-purpose tables and cabinets

Improve Ventilation

Most garages aren't built for ventilation, which means they can get hot and stuffy. That's no environment for productive work. To ensure you're getting enough airflow, try the following:

• Run the air conditioning
• Open the garage door slightly
• Use a floor fan

Get Your Legal Ducks in a Row

If you're self-employed, you should consider registering your business as a limited liability company. Doing so offers several benefits:

• Ownership flexibility
• Minimal paperwork
• Tax advantages
• Legal separation between owner and business

Each state has different registration requirements, but the process is relatively simple. You can file using a formation service or do the paperwork yourself, thereby foregoing the cost of a lawyer.

Ensure Accessibility

If you have a disability, making your garage accessible is essential. For example, wheelchair users need space to maneuver and ramps instead of steps. Individuals with balance and mobility issues should look into non-slip flooring to prevent falls.

The garage may not be your first thought when considering a potential home office, but it can be the perfect space. With just a few renovations, you can create a workspace you look forward to using each day.

Van Allen Plumbing is your cost effective, "get the job done right the first time" plumbing solution. Whether you have a plumbing emergency or not we are always fast, friendly, and courteous. For more information, please contact us today!

Multiple plumbing issues? No problem!
Here's a review from one of our repeat clients!

"Wallace and his team are awesome. I first called them out to set a new tub and reconfigure my shower valve in a bathroom I'm remodeling. They showed up on time, provided a fair quote in a timely matter, and performed excellent work. I called them out for a second time to fix a leak in my second bathroom. Same excellent service. Most recently I called them for a leak in my third bathroom (yes my house is old). They came out on less than 24 hours notice and fixed the issue.  Responsive, fast, and follow up. Ten thumbs up." John T.