The kitchen table may be convenient, but it’s usually not the most productive space — too casual, and not effectively separated from the home environment. To do serious work from home, you need to think first about the work you do, the equipment it takes, and the space you’ll require.

For starting the process, I like using the five-step approach of designer Neal Zimmerman in his Home Workspace Idea Book. He recommends that you:

[su_list icon=”icon: check” icon_color=”#51d440″]

• Determine your needs.

What office equipment: computers, printers, copiers, faxes? How much filing space? Will you need meeting space separate from your desk? Will you have other employees? What about space for specialized projects — for example, I need a drafting station to work on drawings and plans.

• Choose a location.

Consider whether the space will have to shared with other family members: that den or spare bedroom that may be fine most of the day can suddenly require negotiation when the kids come home from school and want to play video games. Not every home lends itself to new drywall and studs.

• Develop a plan.

Think about the practicality of what you want. Do you have adequate space? Can you provide adequate power? Is there enough storage for the future? Make certain everything is going to fit, and that your budget can afford it all.

• Create a healthy environment.

Just as employers are responsible for maintaining safe and comfortable work spaces, so too should you take extra care to take care of yourself. Make choices that can help prevent eyestrain or back injuries — and don’t skimp on quality. You probably do need an ergonomic desk chair (I have one.)

• Define a place for who you are.

Working at home gives you the power to create and environment you can enjoy every day. Make decisions for your wall colors, your furniture, your storage that reflect your individuality and make you happy.

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When I design a home office space, I ask our clients multiple questions in order to maximize the output of the hours spent working there. Some of the things we’ll discuss include:

• Will an L-shaped or U-shaped layout be best for the tasks at hand?
• What desk chair is best for ease of adjustment and all-day support? Most home-based professionals spend more time in their chairs than they do in their beds.
• What furniture position will maximize the hours of natural light, and what illumination sources will be best at reducing glare?
• How “paperless” will the office be, and how much storage for files, reference books and work-in-progress will still be needed?
• Who else will use the space? Will there be visitors? The family pets?

As your business grows and changes, your home office needs will likely evolve too. Don’t be hesitant to experiment — often one simple change in your office layout can really boost your productivity. With a little planning, you can create a home office that supports your entrepreneurial spirit and enriches your living environment.

Remember I’m always eager to hear your comments. Contact me at Michael@michaelmenn.com or at 847.770.6303.

Best,

The post Home Is Where The Office Is appeared first on Michael Menn Ltd. Architecture-Construction-Excellence.

The kitchen table may be convenient, but it’s usually not the most productive space — too casual, and not effectively separated from the home environment. To do serious work from home, you need to think first about the work you do, the equipment it takes, and the space you’ll require.

For starting the process, I like using the five-step approach of designer Neal Zimmerman in his Home Workspace Idea Book. He recommends that you:

[su_list icon=”icon: check” icon_color=”#51d440″]

• Determine your needs.

What office equipment: computers, printers, copiers, faxes? How much filing space? Will you need meeting space separate from your desk? Will you have other employees? What about space for specialized projects — for example, I need a drafting station to work on drawings and plans.

• Choose a location.

Consider whether the space will have to shared with other family members: that den or spare bedroom that may be fine most of the day can suddenly require negotiation when the kids come home from school and want to play video games. Not every home lends itself to new drywall and studs.

• Develop a plan.

Think about the practicality of what you want. Do you have adequate space? Can you provide adequate power? Is there enough storage for the future? Make certain everything is going to fit, and that your budget can afford it all.

• Create a healthy environment.

Just as employers are responsible for maintaining safe and comfortable work spaces, so too should you take extra care to take care of yourself. Make choices that can help prevent eyestrain or back injuries — and don’t skimp on quality. You probably do need an ergonomic desk chair (I have one.)

• Define a place for who you are.

Working at home gives you the power to create and environment you can enjoy every day. Make decisions for your wall colors, your furniture, your storage that reflect your individuality and make you happy.

[/su_list]

When I design a home office space, I ask our clients multiple questions in order to maximize the output of the hours spent working there. Some of the things we’ll discuss include:

• Will an L-shaped or U-shaped layout be best for the tasks at hand?
• What desk chair is best for ease of adjustment and all-day support? Most home-based professionals spend more time in their chairs than they do in their beds.
• What furniture position will maximize the hours of natural light, and what illumination sources will be best at reducing glare?
• How “paperless” will the office be, and how much storage for files, reference books and work-in-progress will still be needed?
• Who else will use the space? Will there be visitors? The family pets?

As your business grows and changes, your home office needs will likely evolve too. Don’t be hesitant to experiment — often one simple change in your office layout can really boost your productivity. With a little planning, you can create a home office that supports your entrepreneurial spirit and enriches your living environment.

Remember I’m always eager to hear your comments. Contact me at Michael@michaelmenn.com or at 847.770.6303.

Best,

The post Home Is Where The Office Is appeared first on Michael Menn Ltd. Architecture-Construction-Excellence.

Spring evokes feelings of awakening and renewal, beauty and even simplification. Every spring we speak of Spring Cleaning and removing clutter from our lives. We want to see clearly out our windows at the fresh new foliage, toss open those windows to welcome the new season. When we open our world to others, we want to be proud of our space, which we hope is uncluttered, orderly and beautiful.

Interior Design is often equated to beauty. Ancient Roman Architecture equated beauty to order. We also relate order to efficiency. And efficiency requires simplification.

As an interior designer, my goal is to help our clients to simplify their lives and in turn, produce spatial balance, organization and beauty. This is done by creating balance in color, texture, weight of furniture and architectural elements, as well as guaranteeing the client has enough storage, lighting, electrical outlets and space to perform daily tasks. Today, I’ll address organization and simplification.

Less clutter helps to simplify life, create efficiency and a calm existence. For example, in a bathroom, we like to install pullout shelves on the bottom of vanities for easy access to all items such as cleaning products; we can install an outlet inside the cabinetry so that chargeable items such as electric toothbrushes can be stored out of sight. Less clutter can also be created by dedicating space for all necessary items. For example, build one or more shower niches that can hold all bath products that everyone uses. We create efficiency by making sure a GFCI outlet is within arm’s reach for effortless use by each inhabitant. Finally, guarantee there is enough light for reading, applying makeup, shaving and reading medicine bottles. Add dimmers so that nighttime lighting is less harsh on your eyes on those midnight trips to the bathroom.

These are just a select number of ideas for making order within a space.

We love collaborating with Design/Builders such as Michael Menn Ltd. to create functional, safe living and work environments that reflect the clients’ lifestyle using quality products and workmanship.  The experts ensure that the new design is to code, that correct materials for the project are installed accurately and will perform effectively within the lifestyle environment of the client. What better way to start off your Spring, knowing that your project is in the right hands!

About the author:

Kristin Taghon of Cadmium Interiors

Kristin Taghon is one of the co-principals and owners of Cadmium Interiors, LLC at their new design studio at 612 W Wrightwood, Chicago, IL. She and her business partner, Jasmin Marie come from a background of fine art and have held jobs in project management, retail furniture and lighting design. We approach each project as a composition of functionality and beauty. We aim to design a space that reflects our client and pushes the boundaries to include moments of luxury for a truly unique and beautiful space.

The post Spring Awakening and Design appeared first on Michael Menn Ltd. Architecture-Construction-Excellence.