When so many of us suddenly had to work from home at the start of the pandemic, some people really embraced the new way of life and have continued to work from home, at least some of the time. There is no doubt that a big cultural shift has taken place, with many people altering their work-life balance to include working from home, at least part of the time. If you are planning to design a new house of your own, as a self-build project, it is worth considering if working from home is going to play a significant part in your future. If it is, then you can design in various features to your house to accommodate this new way of working.
Location is always key
First of all, think about location. You might be seeking a rural idyll for your self-build project that’s a long way off the beaten track. But how practical will this be if you want to work from home and perhaps entertain colleagues or work clients at in-person meetings? Or even if you are usually based at home to work, you may still need to pop into your office occasionally. Choosing a location that’s easier to reach may be a better option for you.
A dedicated space for home working
When you are planning the design of your self-build with an architect, you should consider the location of your workspace. If you can, it is well worth the luxury of devoting an entire room to your working from home space. As many people who worked from home during lockdown will testify, trying to concentrate on work and work effectively without a dedicated space is extremely challenging. Having a proper study will help avoid any YouTube-worthy moments with toddlers or pets trying to join your conference calls!
With Zoom and Teams calls playing an important part in working from home, consult your architect as they will be able to make recommendations for optimising the space for good acoustics, as this will make a big difference to the quality of these online meetings.
On a purely practical note, you may want your workspace to be located near the kitchen so it’s the work of moments to fix yourself a drink or a snack.
You may also want to consider the aspect of your workspace. Think about the view from the window and how much natural light it will enjoy – a great view and plenty of light is good for both mental and physical health.
Whichever option you choose for your heating system, you need to ensure that you can keep your workspace at optimum temperature. Again, take expert advice on this at an early stage of your self-build project.
Getting connected for home working
When working from home, connectivity is key. These days, a good broadband connection is essential. Make sure you check out what suppliers are available in the area you are considering and what speeds are available. You will need to make sure your budget will cover getting connected.
Power points galore
Modern homes are usually well-served for power sockets but the advantage of self-building is that you can not only choose how many sockets you have in each room, but the exact location of each one to perfectly suit your needs. Many of our clients have said one of their favourite parts of their self-build project has been their ‘walk through’ with their project manager, deciding exactly where all the fixtures and fittings will go.
If you have always dreamed of building your own home, contact CB Homes to find out how we can help you.
