Whether you run your own business or have been given the opportunity to work from home by your employer, it is crucial that you set up the perfect home office. 

After all, without setting up a designated “workspace” within your home, you may be more inclined to work from your sofa or, even worse, your bed. 

While this may not seem to be a major issue, especially as you’ll be relatively comfortable, over time, your brain will begin to associate these spaces with feelings of stress and anxiety. This means that your safe space will no longer be your safe space, and you’ll find it hard to relax at the end of the day.

Furthermore, working from home should not mean working with distractions, which is exactly what you will be faced with when trying to turn social spaces into workstations. 

As such, if you are going to be working from home on a long-term basis, you need to set up a home office. One of the easiest ways to do so is to utilise space that you already have available but may not be used to its full potential, such as your garage. 

Photo by Windows on Unsplash

With that in mind, here are some top tips that you can use to turn your garage into the perfect home office! 

• Determine your budget. Before you begin redecorating your garage, be sure to set yourself a budget. After all, renovation projects can quickly get expensive, especially if you are spending recklessly. Use a budgeting app or tracker to ensure you remain on target! 

• Spruce up the flooring. The majority of property owners do not take good care of their garage flooring. After all, it’s a space that you likely do not use all that much and one that’s often not seen by those outside of your home. However, if you’re set on turning your garage into a home office, it’s time to spruce up the flooring a little. For example, you could look into local concrete grinding and polishing, which will transform worn-out concrete into beautiful, shiny, polished flooring.

• Consider adding a window. If possible, you should also look into installing a window within your garage space. This will provide you with access to natural light, which is a known productivity booster. It can also work to make your office space seem more inviting. 

• Work with an electrician/plumber. If your garage is disconnected from the rest of your property, you may need to work with a plumber or electrician to ensure you have access to the amenities you’ll need while working, such as hot water and electricity. You may also want to purchase an additional wifi router so that you’re able to work without interruption. 

• Repaint the walls. Repainting the wall is another key step in the renovation process. However, before picking up that paintbrush, you may want to do some research into colour psychology. This means that you can then pick out a shade/colour that will boost your productivity levels, or help to reduce stress – both of which will go a long way toward creating the perfect working environment. 

• Invest in your comfort. Whether you’re working full-time or part-time, you’re going to be spending a considerable number of hours in your office each week, which means that you must ensure you are as comfortable as possible. For example, instead of using a chair from your dining room table, you should invest in an ergonomic office chair and an ergonomic mouse pad. Both of these items will ensure that you are as comfortable as possible while working, whereas dining room chairs offer less comprehensive support as they are not designed to be used for hours on end.

• Consider buying items second-hand. If you’re working within a strict budget, you may want to look into buying items second-hand. Remember, you can always upcycle them later so that they look as though they are brand new. However, you should also reach out to your employer directly, as it is their responsibility to provide you with the tools you need to get the job done. This could include a desk, monitor and other forms of technology! Be sure to do this ahead of time, so that you are not spending money unnecessarily. 

• Think carefully about your office layout. Once you’ve purchased all of the necessary furniture for your office, it’s time to think about the layout. Try to place your desk as close to a natural light source as possible – though you should be sure to avoid the sun’s glare reflecting off your computer/laptop screen. If you are caring for your children while working from home, consider setting up a smaller area within the garage for them to play in. This way, you do not have to spend too much time apart, but you are able to focus on the task at hand.

• Add some finishing touches. Once you’ve arranged your furniture, it’s time to add some finishing touches to the space that will help you create a beautiful office in which you’ll love to work. For example, you could hang some photos of your family on the walls or choose a statement piece of artwork. 

• Bring in some plants. Studies have shown that “greener” offices are more productive, with a recent report finding that “productivity increased by 15% when plants were introduced to a workspace.” However, caring for plants is also great for your mental health and can help you to manage stress and anxiety. Beyond this, they look great, making them a welcome addition to any office space – just make sure you do not forget to water them! 

In short, if you are working from home, you need to ensure that you set up an effective workspace or workstation. This will allow you to work productively and without distraction so that you are able to do your job to the best of your ability.

While there are many different options to consider here, renovating your garage is a great choice – especially as many people use their garage for storage and nothing more!