subject: Converting A Bedroom To A Home Office [print this page] Today more and more people are seeing the need for a home office. While in the past such spaces were mostly used to pay bills and file papers, today many people have home-based businesses or do a significant amount of their work from home. The features homeowners require from their home offices have correspondingly increased.
Converting a bedroom into an office is the most common and easiest way to create a home office. When you're planning the conversion, however, it is important to consider which functions the office will fulfill. Will you meet with clients? Then you will need a nice sitting area and perhaps a table to meet around. Do you do a lot of research? You might need to set aside significant space for bookshelves. Do you spend almost all your time at the desk? Be sure your chair is ergonomic and comfortable. A remodeler can help you think through these questions and plan the most efficient use of your space.
Planning: Your remodeler will first measure the space and discuss the floorplan. Remember that you will need shelf space, desk space, and filing space, as well as spots for whatever office equipment you need. Think about where you will put everything: extra paper, CD-ROMs, ink cartridges, etc. The better organized the space is, the more efficient you will be. What pieces of furniture do you need and how will they fit into the room? If your home office will share space with another function such as a guest room or an exercise room, you need to take that into account.
Be Creative: If you're converting a bedroom that's on the small side, you can buy special space-saving office furniture which can store your equipment and books in a small area, while still giving you room to work. Think about how you can maximize every inch of the room. For instance, you can convert a shallow closet into built-in bookshelves, or a walk-in closet might be a good place for a desk or filing cabinet space.
Electricity: When converting a bedroom into a home office it is important to consider the electrical capacity of the room. With computers, printers, faxes, scanners, shredders, and other equipment, most home offices require a fair amount of power and plenty of electrical outlets in the right places. If you have an older home, you may not have sufficient outlets, so your remodeler or electrician will need to add some and must ensure the home office will have the electrical capacity to run your equipment. In addition, you want to make sure your office has sufficient lighting; good lighting is essential to prevent eye strain and improve efficiency.
Taxes: If your home office is being used for a business, you may be able to write off some of the costs of converting a bedroom into a work space. Other home office expenses may be deductible as well, including: heating, electrical, and plumbing costs (just for the home office part of the house); telephone and computer access expenses; and the cost of equipment and furniture. However, the IRS is particular about what qualifies as a home office. If you have another office at work or if you use your home office for non-business purposes, you may not be allowed to deduct it. It is best to consult a tax expert who can study the specifics of your situation.
