The garage can become one of the most cluttered places on the property. Due to its flexibility, homeowners may dump everything in the garage and block vehicle access. Moreover, homeowners who love to tweak their vehicles can quickly litter the space with dirt, trash, and stains. 

But a cluttered space can easily affect a person’s well-being and productivity as it burdens the brain’s capacity to function. In addition to affecting well-being, unorganized areas can reduce the house’s overall aesthetic and make it unappealing to others.

This article will discuss the appropriate time for garage conversion, explore the pros and cons of garage conversion, and elaborate on innovative and practical ideas you can replicate to organize your car garage. With some intelligent organizing solutions, you can create a garage that provides ample storage space and makes it easy to access and maintain your garage!

Should you convert your garage?

When is the right time to convert your garage? The question can be answered by looking at the current needs of the house. Below are a few things to consider:

Assess your property value

When you intend to sell your house and garage for more money,  it must reflect its full potential worth. A key component to increase the property’s attractiveness is a well-organized garage since most homeowners prefer a well-organized one. 

Custom garage storage can increase the house’s resale value, a wise financial investment. Statistics have confirmed that 75% of participants in a study conducted by the American Real Estate Investment Company, Cresent Communities, agreed that having a garage is necessary. Additionally, 82% of the 500 realtors surveyed by Braun Research say a cluttered garage can affect how potential buyers see the home.

Change in your household composition

A study from The University of Illinois stated that garage conversion is popular in modern times. Usually, vehicles are protected by carports and garages. However, society has expanded its use to include terraces, workshops, playgrounds, utility storages, and even places to dry clothing. 

This research is supported by statistical data, where the Wall Street Journal surveyed 900 people about their opinions on garages. The poll revealed that storage was a more frequent garage use than parking. Homeowners store 93% of their belongings in garages, and 84% park their cars there. Nearly half of the respondents admitted using their garages as a place to work on their vehicles or engine in loud activities which aren’t suitable inside the home.

When there is a security risk

Expensive vehicles can be seen as an investment and will affect people’s perception of an individual; it also represents the homeowner’s social status and wealth, which show the family’s capabilities and settled financial condition. Therefore, houses with garages are prone to criminals. 

A recent study investigates how thieves selected their target by relying on residential features to maximize a trade-off between perceived advantages, effort, and risk. The study uses information from 650 residential burglaries and almost 500,000 homes in the Belgian province of East Flanders. It was confirmed that the likelihood of being chosen is higher for houses without garages, terraced houses, and houses close to thieves’ base camp. 

Taken as a whole, the conclusion suggests that garages are one of the house characteristics which increase the house’s security risk. Thus, consider upgrading your home with a garage to lower its risk.

Pros and cons of garage conversion

After knowing the proper time to convert the garage, it is essential to understand the pros and cons so that homeowners can analyze its cost and benefits. Here are a few examples:

Pro: Protect expensive items

Bicycles, motorcycles, and cars should be stored and protected from the weather, primarily because of their high price. Therefore, it is crucial to design, organize, and maintain the cleanliness of a garage. 

A garage conversion can benefit homeowners by protecting items from bumping into one another. Doing so will make it simpler for you to discover objects in the garage, which prevents items from missing. Aside from the internal factor, garages are also prone to external risk factors such as flooding. Flooding can harm specific equipment, and having an enclosed garage helps in protecting your vital equipment and vehicles. 

Pro: Ensure functionality

Keeping items in their designated location is crucial to ensure the performance of garage equipment. Garage equipment must be checked and maintained regularly to function properly. Cluttered garage equipment tends to make you constantly neglect things. 

By doing a garage conversion, you can install a designated place for all the garage equipment to easily access each object. It will help to ensure the garage’s functionality and feel more put together.

Pro: More vacant space

Garages are commonly perceived as junk space to store unused items. Keeping junk in the garage should be organized to clear the floor of miscellaneous objects and debris. 

You can free up more space for moving by reducing the number of things that take up floor space. Additionally, you will benefit from using the additional space for various purposes, such as a workstation or bicycle space.

Con: Parking alternatives

Converting your garage into additional living space might be a cost-effective and quick option to expand your house’s living square area. Garages are frequently transformed into family spaces, such as playrooms, art studios, home offices, and gyms. 

However, consider other parking options when your garage no longer serves as a carport. Some homeowners may be able to park on the street, while others may need more driveway width. Additionally, remember that eliminating the garage’s essential function means sacrificing a place to store outdoor equipment.

Con: Permit cost

If your country requires permits and laws to do garage conversion, you must collaborate with experts to complete the project, including architects,  electricians, and professionals. It can be an expensive and time-consuming process. 

Make sure to find out what permissions are necessary and what local laws apply before converting your garage into a living space. Additionally, you have increased your property’s taxable square footage by adding more living areas.

Garage conversion ideas for your home

A garage conversion can be done in several ways. The list below will give you insights on how to do it well:

Stack vertically 

Always remember that items may be stacked vertically. Wall space makes a good storage area. It’s preferable to install pegboards and magnet racks to retain repairing tools. Therefore, making an inventory of the existing garage equipment is necessary before starting the garage conversion. 

You can also put the bicycles up on the walls along with the cleaning supplies and gardening tools. If constructed right, the walls may even act as a car-washing area.

Use overhead storage  

Another best practice you can implement is to think about overhead storage. Overhead storage can maintain your vehicle area while adding more space for garage equipment. This approach can maximize every square inch of space while reducing clutter. It will not remove the actual function of the garage and will keep the vehicle secure from burglars and weather. 

Also, using overhead storage will allow you to use the ceiling space as a double room, which can be used to store rarely used luggage, sports equipment, and pet carriers. 

In conclusion

Just like how the invention of the vehicle could transform a barn into a garage, the transition will always happen in the lives of modern people. The best thing about converting your garage is getting additional space without purchasing new land. 

Nevertheless, a proper garage conversion comes with several pros and cons that homeowners should know about. Knowing garage conversion ideas you can copy will help you understand the most relevant concepts for your home!

If you would like to see more resources on garage organization, check out the Home Organization Science Labs. The lab uses the research of the Institute for Life Management Science to produce courses, certifications, podcasts, videos, and other tools. Visit the Home Organization Science Labs today.

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Enhancing a property’s functionality, aesthetics, and overall quality can make it more appealing to potential buyers and increase its market appeal.

This article will provide insights to help you make informed decisions when boosting the property’s value, whether you’re planning to sell your home soon or simply want to increase its value in the future. 

Gauging property value

Various factors can determine property value: the level of accessibility of public goods, limited supply of property, housing quality, safety, or natural factors (i.e., views, noise, pollution, frequency of disasters, etc.). 

Most of the time, homeowners have limited to no power in controlling the outcome of those aspects — hence, the importance of improving the quality aspect of the property to boost the property value. 

For example, research shows that building orientation can affect property value. The study concluded that building orientation could affect a housing’s exposure to natural lighting, culminating in up to a 15% increase in property value. 

In addition to the practical aspect, buyers might be interested in niche home preferences, such as chimneys, attics, or outdoor swimming pools.

Healthy building parameters

Home improvement can follow the aspects of healthy building parameters (HBP). 

Research showed that after the SARS outbreak of 2003, homeowners were more likely to buy a property that follows the HBP. The case implies that life after the COVID-19 pandemic can also affect property value similarly. 

Healthy building parameters consist of four aspects: architectural design, building service design, external environment, and property management. Each aspect contains several sub-aspects that can improve the residents’ quality of life and the building’s property value. 

By understanding the fours aspects below, homeowners can gauge their needs before making home improvements: 

Architectural design 

In architectural design, homeowners can develop the house with a proper-sized window (around 1.5m x 1.5m). The window can allow a good amount of natural light into the house and cut electricity consumption during the day. 

A balcony is also crucial for natural exposure, especially in apartment housing. It can also be used for gardening, relaxing, and exercising.

Read more: Benefits of Having a Balcony During and Post-Pandemic 

Building services design 

With the building service design aspect, homeowners can consider the placement of air conditioning within each room. The placement of AC should be under no circumstances be exposed to direct sunlight or any other source of heating because it can consume more electricity to cool down the room. 

Also, it is beneficial for homeowners to install a good hot water supply, which can be helpful in cold weather.

External environment 

Homeowners can take advantage of the views around the property. Installing a window or balcony or ensuring proper orientation of the house can maximize the aesthetic value of the house, especially if the property is nearby the sea, woods, or mountain. 

In addition, homeowners can also install a cross-ventilation system. Each room can benefit from two windows placed across from each other, allowing the air to pass through the space without utilizing a fan system.

Property management 

Homeowners can aim to maintain the drainage system and water tank system. Maintaining the drainage system can help prevent the water from flowing back to the house, bringing dirt, debris, and other unwanted clutters. 

Also, it is beneficial for homeowners to have a good disposal system, install a large dumpster, and have access to regular garbage disposal services.

Feng Shui

Other than healthy building parameters, homeowners can take a cultural approach to home improvement. 

For example, research shows that a Feng Shui-designed house attracts potential homebuyers in Western nations due to their cultural or aesthetic values. Among its most attractive features include: 

• rounded wall corners; 
• a separate kitchen sink and stove; 
• a shielded electrical course; 
• a saltwater aquarium; 
• outdoor parks with a labyrinth, 
• full-spectrum lighting, 
• solid wood front door; 
• or a front door that is positioned not parallel to the back door.

Feng Shui, however, will be more attractive to Chinese homeowners. Although this also implies that there is potential for other cultural innovations to be adopted into home improvement practices, depending on the property’s geographical location or the homeowners’ personal preferences.

In conclusion 

Property value can be increased through home improvement projects and cultural innovation. Several aspects, such as architectural design, building services design, the external environment, and property management, are among the most crucial. By understanding these fundamentals of home improvement, homeowners can assess the time and money needed before executing the renovation.

If you would like to know more about home improvement, visit the Home Organization Science Labs. Using the research of the Institute for Life Management Science, the lab produces courses, certifications, podcasts, videos, and other resources. Check out the Home Organization Science Labs today.

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Coincidentally, the COVID-19 pandemic has brandished a new meaning to the balcony as it helps facilitate the residents in maintaining their physical and mental stability during the home quarantine period. Several research suggests that there has been a shift in the role of the balcony during the pandemic. 

Before the pandemic, the balcony acted as an almost forgotten feature of the property where people store their unused items or beat the dust off their rugs. 

During the pandemic, however, it has been rediscovered as a space for socialization, entertainment, and physical activity. These dynamics then beg the question; is the balcony actually worth it? If yes, how can we use it effectively?

This article revisits the importance of balconies throughout the century while also discussing their relevance in modern times. This article will also explore its potential in relation to the value of the property after the event of COVID-19 pandemic.

What makes a balcony a balcony?

A balcony is a three-dimensional architectural model that exposes and extends the interior externally. It is located on the outer façade of a building’s structure that belongs to a private residence. A balcony serves as a bridge between the indoors and the outdoors in which light, wind, sight, and people can freely move in between. It is usually enclosed with railings or balustrades.

Throughout history, the balcony has served as a space where momentous events occurred. It is a place where The Pope blesses millions of believers; a stage where Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet took place; and a podium where Mandela announced the future of South Africa. 

It has also been used for many purposes; such as a European military siege defense, a place for Arab Muslim women to observe the street without being seen, or a status symbol for the nobles.

In the modern days, the balcony serves as a place where people interact and socialize.  It also provides spaces for relaxation, reading books, or eating meals. It serves as an interface for the household members to connect with the rest of the world. Nevertheless, modern technology has allowed people to access information indoors, pushing people deeper inside the house and minimizing the use of balconies. 

Most balconies in urban society have been converted into storage for unused material, a place to hang washed clothes, or a dumpster to clean off dirty rugs. 

There are also instances where the balcony is covered in plastic or glass to add more indoor space and protect the house from being seen by people from the outside. The significance of the balcony has since been diminished, until the COVID-19 pandemic.

Balconies during the COVID-19 pandemic

The balcony has regained its importance during the COVID-19 pandemic. The mandatory home quarantine period all around the world has confined people to the safety of their houses. This restriction paved the way for people to re-engage with the outside world through their balconies, doing activities that are never done before; such as aerobics, concerts, religious rituals, and various celebrations; and those activities have been made accessible through the internet for audiences all over the world.

The technology that was driving people away from the balcony — the internet — has encouraged them to return. The internet search for the word “balcony” has also increased significantly, especially during the peak of COVID-19 in each country. Due to house confinement, people saw the balcony as the only hope to be outside during the outbreak. 

Moreover, the news portrayal of the balcony has also transitioned into a more positive nuance, where it is presented as a form of entertainment instead of an overlooked part of the property. The balcony has successfully been rebranded as the new interaction hub for the household. 

Therefore, it is beneficial to revisit the benefits of the balcony and explore the potential it can give as the pandemic ends.

Revisiting the benefits of a balcony

The rebranding of the balcony as an interactive part of the property makes it worth the time to reassess its many benefits. There are several ‘old but gold’ practices that can be taken into consideration when having a balcony, in addition to added advantages that comes after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tranquility

Having a balcony helps to give you peace of mind. Research asserted that people who live on a property without a balcony, terrace, or garden exhibit lower mental health than those who have. They may feel imprisoned and are prone to depressive symptoms. 

Having a balcony will also impact your well-being and mental health. City apartment residents with balconies can alter their small balconies into a place of tranquility by adding a warm ambiance and small trees.

Sustainable lifestyle

The sudden wave of the pandemic had caused people to be isolated from nature. Although the law of social distancing has been dropped, having a few plants on the balcony is considered fortunate. 

The balcony can be used as a gardening place, no matter the size. It will benefit you with fresh vegetables and increase the number of visits you make to connect with nature.

 Besides, urban landscaping with balconies is essential and advantageous because it reduces climate change and improves the quality of life in highly populated cities. 

Growing diverse plants on the balcony proved to have positive ecological and aesthetically pleasing effects. Balconies with good vegetation also gain from the flora’s shading which increases the house’s sustainability.

Source of natural lighting

An open-ended balcony is advantageous since it allows for adequate lighting. Compared to a typical window, a sizable balcony will help the room get more sunlight. The presence of natural light can boost your productivity, which benefits you greatly during work-from-home setup. 

Natural light also helps to maintain a fresh atmosphere around the house. Furthermore, spending the morning with the sun also provides your body with the vitamin D it needs. 

Extra space for activity

Another form of balcony usage after the pandemic is as an additional entertainment space. An organized balcony can be used more effectively. A clean balcony will please guests and family by establishing a cozy, private space to gather. A compact balcony with greenery and glittering lighting will foster intimacy. 

By installing a bench and griller, a balcony can also serve as a place to hold large parties and entertain guests with food and drinks. Thus, having a balcony will give you more room to get creative.

Added property value

Several research has concluded that the perception of the importance of balconies has increased after the event of the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in countries that have a high number of urban apartment buildings. 

The residents in Egypt, for example, realize that balconies are actually important after suffering from confinement during the pandemic. 

Moreover, case studies in Iran, Portugal, and Poland also conclude that architects and designers should take a good accessible balcony design into consideration before making a property. 

A balcony should be able to accommodate the residents’ needs for outside exposure in the coming pandemic or other related emergencies. This research implies that the balcony has been seen as a crucial part of a property. Its existence is seen as necessary and can add to the value of the property in the near future.

In conclusion

The balcony has been through its ups and downs. A space that was once an integral part of a property and history has been taken for granted until COVID-19 happened. The pandemic has brought a new meaning to the balcony and encouraged the residents to spend more time there. Therefore, there is an urgency to reassess its benefits and potential for the future, especially for those who are looking to buy a new property or looking to perk up their porch

If you would like to see more resources on outdoor living, check out the Home Organization Science Labs. The lab uses the research of the Institute for Life Management Science to produce courses, certifications, podcasts, videos, and other tools. Visit the Home Organization Science Labs today.

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An observation in 2020 showed that 39.3% of occupied residences in the US had approximately three bedrooms. Whereas, houses with shared living and sleeping spaces are stated to gain the least popularity. This implies the importance of bedrooms in affecting the homeowner’s purchasing decision.

The bedroom is also an important part of life since 8 out of 24 hours a day is used for rest. According to psychological science, the home environment greatly influences an individual’s psychological state. Relaxation is also stressed as one of the 5 most desired ambiances in the bedroom, alongside privacy and comfort. This implies that having a bedroom environment that supports these needs is important to sustain well-being.

However, a 2019 survey showed that 25% of 2,500 participants consider bedrooms to be the least organized space at home. 28% of them stated the disorganization had a negative impact on attitude and mood during the day. Furthermore, a majority believe that the constantly cluttered and untidy room makes them unmotivated to reorganize the space every day. By understanding the challenge of organizing the bedroom, we aim to get a clear picture of how to overcome the challenge and successfully create a peaceful sanctuary for rest.

What makes organizing challenging?

Experts and researchers have agreed that most people struggle with detachment from sentimental items. The accumulated items will pile up in no time, and make keeping clutter out of the bedroom a big challenge. There are several reasons why it is hard to accomplish: procrastination, ignorance, and difficulties in identifying which items will be organized first. 

Also, a cluttered room reflects one’s personality and can be caused by a variety of reasons. Psychologists described that a cluttered room could indicate that you are overworked and don’t have time to clean and organize, or that you have an excessive amount of belongings. Sometimes, changes in the family composition may also increase clutter, like having children who are rarely encouraged to clean up after themselves. 

Another factor that rose with the COVID-19 pandemic was the work-from-home setup. Today’s working style is greatly influenced by flexibility. As an impact, those who do not have a separate room for a home office often need to convert their bedroom into a workspace. However, combining workspaces with a resting space may interfere with your sleep quality. Therefore, making a clear boundary between the sleeping area and the working area can be a tricky challenge. 

To address these challenges, we provide you with creative solutions that could be considered when finding the perfect balance in organizing your bedrooms:

How to overcome challenges?

Bedroom organization may seem like a hassle since bedrooms constantly get cluttered over time. However, the key to creating an inviting and well-functioning private space is by making sure the bedroom is clutter-free. To overcome the obstacles in bedroom organization, here are the most efficient way to tackle your organizing:

Bedroom zoning

According to Julie Morgenrnstern, a home organization author, separating the bedroom into several zones may help in reducing clutter. There are 3 main zones: activity zone, supplies, and storage units. The activity zone is designated for sleeping, reading, and mobilizing. Whereas, the supplies zone is dedicated to storing frequently used items. And the last zone is used for keeping away seldomly used items.

5S method

5S is a Japanese methodology to organize the room with maximum efficiency. 5S is an acronym for ‘Seiri’, ‘Seiton’, ‘Seiso’, ‘Seiketsu’, and ‘Shitsuke’, which can be translated into Sort, Set in Order, Shine, Standardize, and Sustain. This approach focuses on making sure everything has its designated place, so it may create a feeling of cleanliness. This method is the simplest way for individuals to perform their tasks without wasting too much time. 

Adding free space

As a place to relax, the bedroom requires several psycho-physical conditions. Bedrooms need to guarantee your privacy and safety, so it needs to be designed with your habits in mind.   

The optimum spatial arrangement can only be achieved through extra observation of your activities and mobility in the bedroom. By understanding your routine, you can provide every possible arrangement of all furniture. The key is taking correct measurements of the free space, which may enable the user to access each item with more freedom.

Adequate storage

Generally, a messy bedroom is the result of two reasons. First, the inadequate space for storage. The lack of storage in the bedroom is mainly due to the low awareness of designated belongings.   

Second, the inability to change an individual’s habits. It is not easy to dispose of negative habits, such as piling up trash, ignoring messy clothes lying on the floor, and not cleaning up surfaces daily. However, this can be reduced by installing organizing bins and adequate storage. Simply ensure that each item had its place, and stay committed to it.

Frequent maintenance

The author of Organizing from the Inside Out, Julie Morgernstern, states that regular checks and tune-ups are necessary to keep the bedroom organized and clutter-free. 

Daily

Make it a habit to take 5 minutes each day to clean your bed. The bed is a large piece of furniture that will become a focal point of the bedroom, therefore it should always be kept clean and tidy. The bed is the first thing you see after a tiring day, which makes it a symbol of relaxation. By cleaning the bed daily, you can reduce stress and gain serenity.

Ongoing

Always put a box for decluttering items in the bedroom. You can always divide it into purge, donate, and sell. By implementing this habit, you can keep track of your belongings and avoid over-consumption. Make a note to empty the box once in a while, so it won’t pile up.

Regular

Organizing is a process, not a once-and-for-all event. Moreover, bedrooms will certainly be filled up with more items as time goes on. To overcome this issue, do monthly purging and correspond with seasonal clothes to wear. Experts also believe that it’s best to do regular tune-ups at the change of seasons. 

In conclusion

A bedroom is supposed to be a secure and private place for you, a resting point after long and busy days. Instead of procrastinating about whether to tidy up the space each day, understanding the challenges in bedroom organization will help you in overcoming the hurdles in keeping the space neat. Learning several existing methods for future recommendations and identifying new habits to develop when keeping bedroom maintenance can help you in improving well-being. 

If you would like to learn more bedroom organization tips, visit the Home Organization Science Labs. The lab uses the research of the Institute for Life Management Science to produce courses, certifications, podcasts, videos, and other learning materials. Check out Home Organization Science Labs today.

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According to a 2020 study, many aspects impact human relationships with their homes. Health crises, the growth of telecommuting, and government initiatives influence people’s behavior in purchasing home equipment. As a result, leisure-related items became a problem to store. The study also shows that 29.5% of respondents said they had trouble keeping games and toys, and nearly a quarter said they had trouble storing magazines and books. The most troublesome item is sports equipment (36.5%). 

Moreover, there has been an issue with people being organized at home. Based on a 2020 survey on home organizing and clutter, 54% of Americans indicated they were overwhelmed by a cluttered home. Glasses, phones, keys, shoes, and TV remotes are the top five items that individuals routinely misplace at home. This implies that many residents need help in organizing and utilizing home storage.   

Why Utilizing Empty Space Helps?

A good house should be able to accommodate the resident’s needs. Although a newly-bought, empty home might appear spacious, tiny houses have constrained spaces too. Therefore, an architecturally-based spatial arrangement of the house’s functional components is needed to optimize the space available. The unused space under the stairs is a good example of incorporating additional storage space.

A well-designed storage system is needed to create a tidier space. An efficient storage system makes it possible to generate additional space without increasing the size of the house. Carefully considering where to put everything and utilizing unused rooms is beneficial. Thus, having as much designated storage as you can is the most crucial guideline to follow.

Although it is human nature to fill empty spaces, it is better to be mindful of identifying needs versus wants. As mentioned in an article by The Seattle Times, keeping the clutter away reduces anxiety and stress. Additionally, it can enhance productivity, save time, and promote mental and physical health. To achieve the benefit of managing, organizing, and cleaning belongings more efficiently, here are the creative ways to utilize under-stairs storage.

How to Utilize Under-stairs Storage

Here are some underrated storage spaces in the house that you can maximize:

Cupboard

In most two-story houses, the stairs always take more space than needed. Some people used the stair as a divider between living and dining to create privacy. Although this idea is superb, there is no harm in doubling the functionality of the stairs. 

Creating a hidden cupboard below the staircase is one way to achieve an effective storage solution. This transformation method has been implemented in a student boarding apartment in Mexico. By incorporating a hidden cupboard below the staircase, the cupboard may act as a “dumping ground” for bulky kitchen appliances. If we opted for an open cabinet, the cupboard may serve as a small coffee and tea station. It will benefit us with extra space to prepare morning breakfast or a small nook for storing cereals and rice cookers. 

The combination of having open and closed storage can also be incorporated into the under-stairs space. We may utilize the upper open shelves while keeping the lower part closed to reduce clutter.

Playroom

Tiny houses for families with children always need extra storage for kids’ toys. Sometimes, the small dimension of the children’s bedroom only allows the space to be used for sleeping. But, children that reach pre-school age need more room to do exercises and activities that boost their cognitive skills. 

The vacant space beneath the stair landing can be utilized to its maximum capability by installing a customized playroom for the children. Stair landing has the ideal scale for children to sit and read under. The strategy to transform an unused area into an ideal play-and-study corner can be used to make the space more effective. According to the same article, Lauren Goldman of l’oro Designs introduced this fantastic method to make use of the big corridor to do homework, build legos, and read in their mini library.

Laundry Room

Small rooms in high-rise buildings may not have sufficient space for laundry and storing cleaning supplies. Under-stair storage has the benefit of being specifically tailored to our needs. Constructing a laundry room beneath the stairs is easier. You may choose to conceal the cleaning supplies by installing a hook on the sliding door. Also, you can install the front-loaded washing machine without adding any doors to the room, and make use of the vertical space as a drying rack. By having extra space for cleaning supplies and built-in laundry, you can elevate the whole room to be more clean, tidy, and ordered. 

Home Office

Teleworking or working from home is a phenomenon that influences how houses go through transitional changes. A 2021 research has collected 1,800 surveys regarding telework spaces and found that most houses are insufficient to adapt to the work-from-home setup. This finding shows that staying at home during the pandemic is proven to make storage organizations more popular. 

Among the trends, working spaces with closed storage become crucial. The under-stairs space is targeted to be transformed into a ‘work-from-home’ setup. To improve productivity, working spaces are created as a small extension of the dining room, which evokes aesthetic pleasure. Some even install a smart-storage system by incorporating a built-in electrical socket and portable office lamp to better assist their lifestyle in adapting to the pandemic. Clear containers and collapsible home essentials are also favored to store documents.

Entryway

Lastly, a survey of approximately 4,000 American households discovered that the pandemic spurred adjustments at the house level. Home adjustments during the pandemic are preferred because it allows for additional storage and repurposing of existing rooms. One of the most creative ideas to elevate the under-stairs space is customizing it for extra purposes. 

If the stairs are located near the entrance, it’s best to utilize the unused space below it for multifunction areas. To do so, maximizing available space on the stair walls and ceilings can be considered a solution to enhance the room’s capacity. It can be repurposed for hanging coats, bags, and accessories. 

You can also install a low bench with several rooms for shoe storage, or optimize it as storage for packages and food deliveries. To get the best out of the space, you may also put a hanger for storing handy but miscellaneous items, such as keys, rings, hand sanitizers, and masks.

For more articles on storage room organization, visit the Home Organization Science Labs. Using the research of the Institute for Life Management Science, the lab produces courses, certifications, videos, and other learning materials. Check out the Home Organization Science Labs today.

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While WFH is generally seen as a benefit, this new working culture necessitated employees to integrate their working environment and rethink their home spaces to accommodate it to enhance their productivity better.

Redesigning the home workspace has become crucial for those who want to continue to WFH and be more productive. This can be done by changing the house’s layout, adding office furniture, or simply creating a good ambiance to induce a positive working mindset. One way to go about this is to have a good interior color palette to enhance the overall ambiance of a workspace.

Color is proven to be an element that can elevate the whole room. Just by adding hue and lighting, color can transform a room’s ambiance.

While preferences vary among individuals, using the right interior color around your chosen workspace can influence your mood and productivity.

Enlarge space perception and productivity with color

An environment’s colors and physical characteristics have a visual connection that contributes to a person’s productivity. Research on 113 design students showed that color can affects individual motivation, concentration, peacefulness, usefulness, and creativity. The analysis concluded that color aids the creation of visible productive space for students.

In addition, a recent study conducted by Nattha Savavibool and Chumporn Moorapun with 80 designers saw that color, height, and area can affect spatial perceptions in the workplace. Since color applies to all surfaces of a room, the color combination of the ceiling, wall, and floor can create a different atmosphere. This implies that color combinations have a positive impact on the workspace’s spatial quality.

Among the color palette, the most popular color to enlarge space perception are neutral colors which is a variety of colors blended with their brighter or darker hues. Colors such as cream, beige, and charcoal are considered good canvas that allows other details of the room to flourish. Lighter neutral colors can bring simplicity while enhancing the openness of a small room. Meanwhile, using darker neutral colors can reduce the amount of light that comes into the room to create a feeling of intimacy.

While combining colors can help set the mood for the whole area, how you use the colors is important, too. To expand the space, paint the whole ceiling and wall white. To improve the room’s height vertically, paint the whole four walls gray and finish off with a white ceiling.

Another way to elongate the room is by painting the ceiling and one of the walls gray while keeping the rest of the walls white. Meanwhile, painting the ceiling with a darker color than the wall might shorten the vertical distance between the floor and ceiling. Making a focal point by painting one wall in different colors can also shorten the space horizontally.

By applying the right color in the right place, the change in your working environment will greatly affect your behavior. Color may even help to increase room cleanliness, and make the workspace feel less cluttered. Therefore, the usage of color is beneficial in creating perceptible productive space to minimize distraction, stress level, and burnout during work-from-home.

Understanding the psychological properties of colors

Color can also affect your psychological and emotional state. A 2018 study regarding the effects of a university’s color interior on students found that color hue might shift a student’s mood from gloomy to cheerful. In this way, color can be utilized for stimulating a particular emotion.

Several findings have also pointed toward the psychological benefits of utilizing colors within the workspace:

• Warm colors: shades such as red and yellow can be attention-grabbing and are more stimulating
• Cool colors: blue and green shades can help increase memory recollection by 5%
• Natural colors: brown and cream colors bring the feeling of being welcomed
• Bright colors: white and pink lessen aggressiveness and enhance memory vividness.

The finding also stated that some specific colors are considered exceptional because they have more power to immerse a person into a particular space:

• Green hues: has a calming and refreshing effect than most colors
• Pure gray: no direct impact on psychology, but extremely suppressive
• Black: shows rigidness and precision
• White: related to boredom or uninterest and is heavily used in a home office

Recommendations for selecting furniture and decor colors

Increasing productivity and concentration in a home office may be challenging. To help design a work-friendly environment, it is important to get inspiration from decorating ideas and furniture color combinations. Here are some recommendations to inspire you in designing your WFH setup:

Understand color trends

A scientific study compared color trends from 2016 to 2021 and found that the usage of colors to boost mental health varies over the years. Before the spread of COVID-19, pastel colors were popular to use at home. But in 2020 and 2021, gray, white, brown, beige, and blue became the most favored colors to create a feeling of tranquility. This research forecasts that intense colors are preferable in 2022, including turquoise, vibrant pink, and olive green to infuse joy and uniqueness into the space.

Distinguish space function through color

When selecting furniture colors for home offices, experts recommend using cheerful but inviting colors for the entrance, such as navy, charcoal, and forest green. Cool blue is preferable to be used behind the desktop since it can raise concentration, minimize anxiety, and reduce eyestrain. To complete the overall ambiance, you can add vibrant hues of complementary colors into the relaxation spaces, such as a yellow-gold marble table and forest green sofa to stimulate optimism.

Experiment with desk color

Selecting desk colors is crucial because it may elevate your room’s mood instantly. Your desk is your home office’s focal point, so it must match the rest of the decor. Even though blue and white are the most favored option for desk colors, experimenting with bolder colors are also a great option to boost energy and minimize dullness. Green, red, yellow, and brown are best colors to stimulate joy during your working hours.

Add pops of color

Even when you are striving for a calm and refreshing ambiance, adding pops of color can make the home office feel more personalized. Bold colors like bright green and gold can be implemented in small decorative items. For example, old brass and leather embellishments complemented by adding a silk rug can make a statement against a white desk.

In conclusion

Using suitable color combinations might increase your work productivity, however, keep in mind that there are colors that can do the opposite as well. By understanding the holistic benefit of using color for space perception, personality, and its psychological impact on your mood, you can enhance your working environment to be more productive.

For more content on color psychology, the Life Management Science Labs’ (LMSL) Home Organization  Science Labs produces courses, certifications, and other learning materials using the research of the Institute for Life Management Science. Visit the Home Organization Science Labs today.Photo by Chelsey Horne on Pexels

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