Posts Tagged ‘area’

The Best Place For The Home Office

July 12th, 2011

Requiring all the features of an office environment while still keeping the feel of all the other rooms in the house, designing an office at home can be a very complicated task. If you have a conservatory on your house then this unusual area could be perfect for what you require for your office. By doing this you do not need to sacrifice one of the bedrooms or disrupt rooms which you have already set up.

There are many other advantages to having your office in the conservatory that we will now look at. A conservatory provides a secluded retreat where you can work in peace without the hustle and bustle of the rest of the house. Once the room is set up as an office make sure that everyone knows that it is your office and when you are working that they must not enter the room unless you allow them to.

If you are having the conservatory built for the sole purpose of being used as your own office then you may need to consider a few things. The size of the window panes and also the type of glass that is used in the construction of the window will both effect how suitable the conservatory is to be used as a home office. As most people will know, a conservatory is a largely glass extension to the property. As the conservatory is being built for your specific needs, research which glass would be best for your needs such as anti-glare and keeping the room at the right temperature to work in. Energy will be saved by ensuring that you take these correct steps at the start as it will keep the conservatory cool when it is hot outside and keep it warmer when it is cold outside. They will also help you to keep out the noise from outside and even offer extra security as the glass will be harder for an intruder to smash.

As well as ensuring the glass is correct, you will want to ensure that you have some good quality conservatory blinds installed to the roof and side. As well as blocking out distractions outside of the conservatory, a good set of blinds will also stop people seeing into the conservatory and therefore add an extra layer of security as well. The main problem with working in a conservatory is the sun shining in and glaring off your screen or into your eyes while you are trying to work. If you install blinds in the conservatory you can raise and lower them as you need to so that the sun does not shine through into your face.

You will need to think carefully about what type of conservatory furniture you would like in the office and make a list of everything that you are going to need in the room. These are the items that you would find in pretty much any office regardless of location, items such as a bookshelf and of course a desk for your computer. For the rest of the furniture, think about the conservatories secondary purpose, what is it being used for when it is not being used as an office? This will effect what else you choose to put within the conservatory.

Posted in Remodeling Tips

Remodeling a Basement Bathroom

July 7th, 2011

One of the best additions to a finished basement is to have a contractor install a bathroom. Not only does this add vast convenience to the living space downstairs but it can finally give you somewhere to slip away – to get away from all the noise of the family. Most contractors can do a great job on a basement bathroom install but you’ll need to provide direction in order to really make the space unique and your own.

Clearing Clutter – If your bathroom traditionally has a lot of clutter then you want to prevent that from happening with the new bathroom. Work with a contractor to install better organization in your new bathroom. You don’t need an expensive vanity with a lot of draws, just install some custom shelves that keep things organized and up off the counter

Frilly Towels Rule – You can really flesh out a spa-style bathroom with linens and fluffy towels that match the overall décor. Most of us will tuck our towels away in linen closets or under the sink. Have your contractor install some custom towel racks or a linen display that keeps your colorful towels out in the open.

Fill the Air with Fragrance – Aromas have a way of altering mood, often in a powerful way. The spa bathroom in your basement is a great place to offer up an array of smells depending on the mood you want, but most bathrooms don’t have a lot of surface area other than the counter. Instead of propping candled on the edge of the tub, on chair or on the floor you can work with a contractor to build out shelves specifically for holding oil warmers or various candles.

Upgrade Electronics – Bright lights are necessary in a bathroom, especially around the vanity, but they aren’t necessary all the time. When you want to enjoy a relaxing bath and you need to set the mood, you want to be able to turn the lights down without relying only on candles. Install a dimmer switch for your bathroom lighting in the basement so you have more control over the intensity of the light. This can give your bathroom a more natural and comforting glow.

Get Lavish – Wall sconces are a luxury but they’re another option to adding candles and controlling the lighting within your bathroom. Not only are they a great way to set the mood for relaxation in your bathroom but they’re easy to install – especially if you install sconces meant for candles alone.

Go beyond Tile – Tile is the ideal flooring for most bathrooms but you can add to the comfort of your bathroom space by having a contractor set you up with a good water and stain resistant carpet. For a secondary bathroom meant primarily for relaxation, a soft carpet can feel great on the feet those rare occasions where you use the spa to relax.

Of course what you do with your basement bathroom and the remodeling of that area is only limited by your desires and imagination. If you don’t want a cookie cutter bathroom but you’re stalling on ideas, you can always give the contractor a general idea of what you’re looking for – they can help you along with design ideas from there.

Posted in Basement, Bathroom