HOMESPACE WORK OPTIONS

Designs that used to work, like openconcept floor plans, no extra rooms beyond the basics, and small storage areas are no longer functional for millions of people.

People have tried to make do with closet offices, nook offices, and clearing out a corner of a bedroom or living room because most began working at home without any notice. They had to do the best with the space they had. But if they get a chance to design their dream home, what they want is more workspace for the home that is as functional as their workspace was previously when they commuted to a corporate office.

Trends in the Columbia, South Carolina Area

Home offices used to be places where people paid a few bills or looked at a few emails now and then. Now, home offices need to be completely functional spaces for working full-time and long-term.

Some of the biggest trends we have seen over the past year for home office spaces in custom homes include the following.

Multi-functional spaces

Some people prefer multifunctional spaces that can serve several purposes. For example, people may want a large laundry room with a homeschooling space for the kids and a workspace for themselves nearby. Or they may want a kitchen with a handy adjacent office space as shown in the picture.

Dedicated office spaces

Buyers want rooms that are specifically designed to be home offices with a closeable door. Generally, they want a wall of beautiful built-in cabinets/bookshelves and often a built-in custom desk, as well.

Dual offices

Many times, owners need two offices so that both homeowners have their own private, dedicated office space. Older, pre-existing homes don’t generally have this design so people turn to custom home design.

They need enough space between the two offices that they don’t interfere with each other when they are having simultaneous online meetings.

Zoom rooms

Small, soundproofed rooms that provide privacy for online meetings are gaining in popularity.

Zoom backgrounds

Buyers want built-in cabinets and professional, artistic backgrounds to showcase on their online calls.

What to consider when creating the ideal home office

We suggest asking yourself questions so you can tailor your office space to fit your workload and your family’s situation perfectly. • What do you need most from the space? o Privacy during online meetings o Access to the kitchen to cook while you work o A professional-looking place for customers to meet with you in person o Storage for inventory and files

o The ability to monitor children as they have school at home o A backyard office that is separate from the main house o Large flat workspace

• What kind of work do you do?

o Computer work o Phone calls/Video conferencing o In-person meetings o Mostly fieldwork

• How often will you be using the space? • How many people need private offices and/or study space in the family? • How many square feet of space can you set aside for your office? • What features do you need to be as productive as possible?

o Natural light o An indoor garden o A custom aquarium o A beautiful view

o Good ergonomics

• How do you expect your office needs to evolve in the future in one year, five years, or ten years?

Predictions about what homeowners are looking for

We believe home office spaces will be considered a must-have going forward. Clients are looking for ease-of-use, aesthetics, and practicality.

Dual offices will become a greater necessity in the future as more families have two adults (or more, with multigenerational households) working remotely.

Sliding glass walls and movable wall partitions will likely become more common to create flexible spaces. Then people can have the benefits of the open floor plan but also be able to create more privacy when needed.

Soundproofing and acoustic doors will become even more important for home office and study space design in the home.

Custom built-in cabinets and shelves are here to stay but with brighter colors than in the past to provide a spark of personality and warmth to the space.

We predict that finished basements will also grow in popularity as a perfect location for dual offices and study spaces for the children. With glass walls or windows between the rooms, parents can keep an eye on children as they play, homeschool, or learn at home via virtual school.

In areas where basements aren’t feasible, backyard offices/schooling spaces/cottages will likely grow to meet the increasing expectations people will have to meet all of their needs for living, resting, working, playing, relaxing, and exercising at home.

Conclusion

Even when the pandemic is long gone, we expect the work-from-home trend to continue. Corporations and world leaders are encouraging people to work from home more and more. The technology to do so continues to improve. Many companies realize their employees can be just as productive from home, if not more so.

Global pandemics shape architectural styles and trends. Cholera outbreaks in the 1800s brought us wide front porches, sanitation, and underground sewage systems. The Spanish flu of 1918-1920 brought us the powder room. Covid-19 is bringing workers home - changing our lifestyles and home design for the foreseeable future.

Custom builders will continue to lead the charge to help homebuyers design houses to perfectly meet their changing lifestyle needs as we discover the future together. F

Lee Blythe, is the owner of Blythe Building Company. Blythe Building Company knows that building a custom home is not just construction. A home is someone’s dream, where people make memories and spend their lives. It takes great pride in creating your dream home using classic design, the finest materials, quality craftsmanship, and the latest amenities. https://blythebuildingcompany.com/

More than meets the eye Protect your employees’ eye health and your bottom line says Kirk Lauterback

Despite the serious financial and health ramifications that can result from an eye injury in the workplace, eye safety is one of the most commonly overlooked aspects on the job. According to the American Optometric

Association (AOA), nearly 2000 US workers sustain job-related injuries every day, primarily as a result of wearing no eye protection or wearing the wrong kind of eye protection.

Items such as projectiles, foreign objects, chemicals, infectious diseases, exposure to steam, ultraviolet rays, and infrared radiation are all sources of common injuries in the workplace (AOA). In addition, 61 per cent of these eye injuries are sustained in construction, manufacturing, carpentry, and trade work (The Vision Council). While some eye injuries are minor, others can result in permanent vision loss or significant time away from work. However, the right eye protection could have prevented or lessened the severity of 90 per cent of the injuries commonly experienced in the workplace (AOA).

Along with physical harm to employees, these injuries often end up costing businesses in down time, liability costs, and indirect fees. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the total direct costs of eye injuries to businesses to be $467 million a year, and with indirect costs such as legal fees, judgements, and training new workers, the number jumps to more than $934 million a year.

That’s a lot of unnecessary pain for employees and money lost for employers for something so easily avoidable. Here are a few measures you can take to prevent eye injuries at your business or job site.

Implement a company policy on safety eyewear

While it may seem sufficient to advise employees to wear eye protection, unfortunately, it often takes a serious injury for employers to instate an official policy. Having a policy requiring employees to wear safety glasses is the best way to ensure consistent use and avoid costs down the road. Protective eyewear is just as important as a hard hat and reflective gear when working in hazardous environments.

Educate your employees

From a formal company training on eye safety to a simple posted reminder at entrances to a facility or work room, employee education not only helps ensure follow-through, but also proper usage. It’s also important to dispel the