5 Things You Need in Your Home Office

By: Anne Colby
Houzz U.S. Editor

When you work at home, even part time, you discover that a makeshift desk area on a kitchen counter or the dining table isn’t the best setup. Having a dedicated home office, even if it’s compact, makes a big difference in comfort and productivity. Once you have chosen a room or area for your home office, here are five must-haves to include in it.

A Comfortable Chair.
If sitting at a desk is a big part of your workday, make sure you have the right chair for the job. This is especially important if you work at a computer. Look for an overall fit that supports your back and encourages good seated posture. Features to look for include adjustable seat, arms and back, as well as legs on rollers and a seat that swivels so you can easily get in and out of the chair and reach for things without straining.

While some people prefer a minimalist desk chair, others like one with more padding and heft. No matter which type you choose, be sure to take stretch breaks and move around throughout the day. And if you have room in your office, include a small sofa or club chair for relaxing or reading.

Work Surface That Fits Your Needs. The size of your desk or work surface will hinge on the size of your office and budget. Consider different desk types and even creative repurposing of other furniture pieces. Think about how you’ll be working and the items you’ll want to have close at hand. To help keep your work surface neat, invest in attractive desk organizers and plan for at least a few shelves or drawers for things you use or reference less frequently.

A built-in desk allows you to tailor your workspace to your needs. This desk has plenty of counter space for spreading out papers and shelving to hold the owner’s reference books.

A Place for Everything. Most of us haven’t reached the point of having a paperless office, and keeping paper organized is easier with the right mix of drawers, cabinets and shelves. This office has both desk storage and open and concealed wall storage for maximum flexibility. If you don’t have a lot of papers to file or objects to display, a simple cabinet on wheels might offer enough storage.

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Good Task Lighting. A standard ceiling light providing overall illumination is just a starting point for a home office. You also want to include task lighting for reading and other close work. A home office might layer in a desk lamp for task lighting, wall sconces for ambient lighting and natural light from windows. A row of upper cabinets in this home office provides an opportunity for bright undercabinet lighting over the entire desk surface.

Electrical Outlets for Equipment. If you live in an older home, electrical outlets may be limited. Be sure you have enough — and in the right places — for your electrical equipment.

Keeping cords and wiring out of sight is easiest with a built-in desk and storage areas that are flush against the wall. But if you’re planning a floating or freestanding desk, you can use floor outlets and cord covers to keep wiring neat and safe.

And don’t forget to include something that makes you happy or inspires you, whether it’s a sunny window, a treasured artwork or a furry companion to keep you company.

Our Favorite Laundry Room Ideas

Nowhere is the difference between high-end new construction/remodeling clearer, than in laundry rooms. These once simple utilitarian spaces have become large, decorated rooms incorporating many great features. Features like drying racks, built-in ironing boards, craft areas, wrapping areas, offices, and mudrooms with gleaming machines. Today, we share some of our clients practical laundry room solutions.

Pull down drying rack. A pull-down drying rack is designed for drying delicates directly on the rack, or for drip drying clothing on hangers. The pictured rack is strategically located over the sink so no messy drips to clean up.

Hanging rod. A must for hanging clothes after removing them from the dryer or for drip drying clothing on hangers. Having the rod located above the sink is ideal. The drips from the clothing just fall right into the sink.

Custom sink insert. The covered laundry sink provides space for the client to fold laundry in this small, single-wall laundry room.

Cabinetry, cabinetry, cabinetry. Almost all of our clients want custom cabinetry in their laundry rooms. Featuring things like open shelving for frequently used products and supplies, and plenty of countertop space for folding.

Laundry basket storage. What better way to store your laundry baskets! When a client works with a custom cabinet maker, they are able to design the laundry room of their dreams.

Master bedroom closet laundry center. What’s more handy than a laundry center in your master bedroom closet. Think of all the steps you’ll save when it’s time to put away your clothes! The master bedroom laundry center shown, features a pull-out ironing board (disguised as a drawer), pull-out folding station and his and her pull-down hampers.

Pull-out ironing boards. Meet the pull-out ironing board, disguised as a drawer. It’s no longer necessary to take up wall-space to have the ironing board hidden away.

Multiple Appliances. Client’s with large families, are opting to build homes with large laundry rooms, featuring multiple appliances. Martin Bros. Contracting, Inc. also builds homes with multiple-level laundry rooms (especially in lake homes). Multiple level laundry rooms save footsteps, backs and time on laundry day.

Multiple-purpose laundry rooms. Client’s often opt for multiple-purpose laundry rooms. Think offices, mudrooms, craft-rooms, study rooms, pantries and more.

These are just a few of the laundry rooms in the homes remodeled or built by Martin Bros. Contracting, Inc. Looking for more ideas, visit our website or Facebook.

Images are the property of Martin Bros. Contracting, Inc. and may not be used without written consent.

Finding the Right Home Builder

The importance of choosing the right home builder for your project can’t be overstated. Your home builder will be involved in every facet of the process, so you want to establish a great working relationship and an open line of communication right up front. Here is a great checklist to help you select the very best home builder for you:

• Contact your local home builders’ association for the names of member builders: NAHB: Finding A Local Association . You can also ask family, friends or coworkers for recommendations. (Martin Bros. Contracting, Inc. is a member of the Builders Association of Elkhart County.)
• Make sure the builder has a permanent business location and a good reputation with local banks and suppliers. (Martin Bros. Contracting, Inc. office has been located at 26262 County Road 40, Goshen, Indiana for nearly 50 years.)
• Find out how long they have been in the building business. It usually takes three to five years to establish a financially sound business. You want to make sure they will be around after the construction is complete to service any warranties. (Martin Bros. Contracting, Inc. was established in 1965.)
• Check out the company’s rating and if there have been any complaints filed with your local Better Business (Martin Bros. Contracting, Inc. has an A+ rating with the BBB.)
• Make sure the builder has sufficient workers compensation and general liability insurance. If not, you may be liable for any construction-related accidents on your (Martin Bros. Contracting, Inc. carries all insurance and conducts weekly safety training.)
• Ask the builder/remodeler to provide you with names of previous customers. If they won’t, beware. If they do, ask the customers if they would hire the builder/remodeler again. (Martin Bros. Contracting, Inc. will provide you a list of past clients, a great deal of our business comes from referrals!) 
• Ask if you can see the builders work, both completed and in progress. Check for quality of workmanship and materials. (We are proud of our work and will be happy to show qualified parties completed and projects in progress.)
• Do you feel you can easily communicate with the builder? Remember you will be in close contact with them throughout the construction process, and afterward, as you live in your new home. (We recognize the investment our clients make in their homes; therefore we provide unparalleled service throughout the project.)
• Make sure the builder/remodeler provides you with a complete and clearly written contract. The contract will benefit both of you. If you are having a new home built, get and review a copy of the home warranty and homeowner manual as well. (Written contracts are provided on every project; a home warranty and an extensive homeowner manual are provided on each new construction project. Martin Brothers abides by/or exceeds the Indiana Quality Assurance Builder Standards.) 
• Be cautious of unusually low-priced bids. If the builder is unable to pay for the materials and labor as the project proceeds, this may indicate a potential problem. Keep in mind that less expensive does not necessarily mean better! (Martin Bros. Contracting, Inc. will be happy to discuss with you our policy regarding payment. In most instances we pay all suppliers and subcontractors before invoicing a custom home client.)

Martin Bros. Contracting, Inc., of Elkhart County, Indiana, is known throughout Michiana as the area’s premier, upscale, custom home builder and remodeler. Our award-winning homes are crafted with detail in mind from start to finish by our experienced team of career carpenters and construction management professionals. Martin Bros. Contracting, Inc. serves clients within a 50 mile radius of their rural Goshen, Indiana address.

Find more helpful advice on home building and remodeling at www.nahb.org/forconsumers orhttps://www.nahb.org/en/consumers/homeownership/remodeling-your-home.aspx. 

Images are the property of Martin Bros. Contracting, Inc. and may not be used without written consent.

On May 23, 2018February 28, 2020 By Martin Bros. Contracting, Inc.In Custom Home Building, Lake Home Building, Luxury Home Building, Remodeling, RenovationsLeave a comment

What to Consider When Lighting Your Home

A designer offers a few illuminating insights on this key design element

By: Gillian Lazanik via Houzz

Lighting is one of the most overlooked yet important elements of interior design. What’s the point in creating beautiful spaces if there’s not enough light to see them? Lighting is also essential for creating the mood and ambiance of a space. Come up with your lighting plan during the conceptual design phase so your contractor knows ahead of time where to run electrical wiring. Once the drywall goes up, changing wiring is much harder, so don’t leave this consideration until the end. Here are some things to keep in mind when it comes to lighting your home.

Dining room lighting. Everyone loves to create ambiance over the dining room table. But there are practically as many light fixtures to choose from as there are snowflakes.

When it comes to your dining area, make sure to choose a light fixture that’s the right size for your table. If you can’t find something large enough, consider clustering multiple lights together. I like to ensure that the fixture is at least one-third the size of the table. And make sure you mount it approximately 30 to 38 inches above the eating surface. Also be sure to install a dimmable switch so you can set the mood.

Undercabinet lighting. A simple valance on the underside of your cabinets will not properly hide the cord for lighting. Plan ahead and have your mill-worker build a false bottom to conceal the wires. Another option is to speak with a cabinetmaker about routing a channel to recess LED strip lighting.

Track lighting. Track lighting is a great way to illuminate multiple areas with wiring for only one electrical box. There are tons of great-looking track lights available these days, but if you’re not a fan, try recessing the track into the ceiling. It creates a cool architectural detail while keeping the functionality.

Toe-kick lighting. Don’t think that adding lights to your toe-kicks is a frivolous, aesthetics-only decision. Strip lighting at the underside of base cabinets is a great way to create a nightlight that looks fabulous.

Sconce lighting. Bathroom sconces are great for illuminating your face in the mirror. They’ll work best if you can mount them close to the height of your face, but if you don’t have the space, a sconce above the mirror will work nicely too.

Pot lighting. I like to use pot lights, often referred to as recessed lighting, in certain spaces of a house, but I don’t think they should act as substitutes for indirect lighting, such as floor and table lamps. Pot lights work best in areas where tasks occur, like the kitchen or laundry room. You can use far fewer pot lights in bedrooms, living rooms and dining rooms.

Bedside lighting. When choosing lights for your bedside tables, make sure you think about how you’ll be using them. Are they strictly decorative or will they be more functional? If you’re using them as task lights, make sure they can swivel for ease of reading in bed.

Stair lighting. This is one of my favorite ways to add lighting to a space. Stair lighting can take any renovation to the next level. They’re not overly expensive and they’re highly functional.

Custom lighting. If you’re having a hard time finding the perfect lighting, you may want to contact a local lighting manufacturer or designer. Like art, lighting is personal and subjective. You might benefit from working with someone to design your perfect fixture.

Looking to build or remodel a home within a 50 mile radius of our Goshen, Indiana location? Call us at 574-862-2142.

Images are the property of Martin Bros. Contracting, Inc. and may not be used without written consent.