How to Create the Ultimate Home Office!

Home Office

Home offices have a variety of uses: paying bills, telecommuting for work, or even running your own business. Depending on what you need, a home office should always have enough space for good storage for files and supplies, have a comfortable chair and workspace, and offer inspiration. Don’t let your office be dreary like an old cubicle! Create your ultimate home office in just a few simple steps.

Separate Yourself

To give yourself a quiet place to work, set up your office away from your main living area. A room with a door is best, so you can close yourself off and focus on work with minimal interruptions.

Desks and Chairs

Invest in a well-made chair and desk. They can be both practical and something that fits your style. First, determine what size desk you need. Desk sizes range from imposing executive types to slim writing surfaces. Many are adjustable in height, which also offers health benefits. Choose a chair that has lumbar support if you’ll be sitting at your desk most of the day. When seated, your feet should be flat on the floor with 90-degree angles at your hips and knees. Leave enough area in the office for storage and a chair or two for clients or visitors.

Lighting

This is another area that should not be skimped on. Poor lighting can cause headaches and eye strain and make you feel claustrophobic. Place your desk near a window for natural light. It works wonders for productivity and adjusting to the cycles of the day. You should have three types of lighting in your office: natural light from windows, ambient light from ceiling and standing lamps, and direct light from a desk lamp to illuminate your workspace.

Wall Colors

It’s no fun to stare at plain white walls all day long. Consider adding some color with paint. Blue is calming but will get your ideas flowing because it’s also considered an intellectual hue. Green is soothing and will help to balance your thoughts and ideas. Yellow is a warm color – perfect for a north facing room – and can help you feel positive, awake, and inspired.

Organization

In order to keep everything neat and tidy, create a system to organize your office. It will help you to find everything when you need it, avoid distractions, and stay on track. No more wasted time as you rifle through files and desk drawers.

Filing cabinets are not always the most attractive, but you still need a place for paperwork. If you don’t want a file cabinet, try other types of storage: an antique dresser, pretty baskets or boxes, or a large bookshelf. Find smaller containers for paperclips, pens, stamps, etc. for your desktop. If your office also has a closet, use that space for storage. Add a shelving system or small file cabinets, and you won’t need to use up important office floorspace.

Personal Design

Having a home office means you can make it your own. Adding plants around the room can clean the air and make space feel more inviting. The scent of lavender plants is relaxing, and succulents are easy to maintain. To inspire you, hang favorite photos or paintings of places you’d love to visit. Hang the awards you’ve won. Put a thick, soft rug under the desk to nestle your feet in. Keep computer wires under control with zip ties. Add an inspiration board nearby with all your amazing ideas on it.

Joseph Douglas Homes is the Greater Milwaukee area’s award-winning home builder and remodeling, contractor. If you’re looking to build brand new or remodel your existing home, contact Joseph Doulas Homes today and have your dream home become a reality!

What Is The Average Cost to Build a Custom Home In 2019?

cost to build a custom home - Joseph douglas homes

If you’re thinking about building a custom home soon, your first question is most likely, “How much is this going to cost?” Excellent question!
However, there are several answers due to many factors. Things like: Do you want a ranch style or a two-story home? How many square feet are you thinking about? How many bedrooms and baths? A 2-car garage or three? Do you want brick, wood, or aluminum siding? What kind of cabinetry do you prefer? Do you want carpeting, tile, or wood flooring? The options can be endless – and that affects the bottom line.

By the way, it may cost slightly more to build a ranch home than a 2-story house of the same quality and size. That’s because the footprint is larger, giving it a bigger basement. But ranch homes often look grander and have great curb appeal. Also, not having a staircase is better for those with mobility issues and there is more usable floor space without stairs.

Custom Home Prices Will Vary

The Basic Home Price
To give you a general idea of cost, let’s begin by pricing a “basic” home. Nothing too fancy, not too big; a nice, three-bedroom, two-bath ranch, with an open living area and vaulted ceilings. A home approximately 1650 square feet, with a 2-car garage. Add a small concrete patio of just 100 square feet (or 10’x10’) and leave the basement unfinished for now.
What will it cost? By using an “Average Standard Quality” on a cost-to-build calculator, this primary home will have an approximate value of $289,874 or $150. Per square foot.
But, it’s important to realize that prices can and will change with time. Some home builders will quote a price and attract potential customers with their low “base price.” However, as the home is being built, there are additional costs. And changes. And surprises. And unexpected extra fees. And suddenly your $289,874 home has become much more expensive.

Joseph Douglas Homes
Before you completely give up on building your dream home, contact Joseph Douglas Homes. Their home pricing is complete with commonly “forgotten” costs such as building permits, excavation, plan modifications, erosion control, garage, and driveway stone, and even finishing touches like exterior and interior painting, flooring, light fixtures, and final site cleanup.
All you have to do is add any upgrades to the base price to know what the complete cost of your home will be! No surprises! Joseph Douglas Homes calls it their “All Inclusive Pricing.”

One Step Further
Joseph Douglas Homes also includes the most common upgrades as a standard feature – taking their pricing philosophy one step further than any other builder in southeastern Wisconsin. Items such as dimensional shingles, exterior cultured stone, custom wall painting, granite counters in the kitchen, wood floors in high traffic areas, ceramic tile in the laundry and baths, and so much more, are all part of their “all-inclusive price.”
Now, wasn’t that easy?

2019 Bath and Kitchen Trends

Kitchen and bath trends of 2019

Are you remodeling in 2019? Alternatively, have you decided to build that custom home you’ve been dreaming of? Get some great ideas by reading about the top 2019 trends for kitchens and baths. You may not be interested in decorating, by why date your home by five years before you even begin? The last thing you want is to spend thousands of dollars only to discover your house is “old looking.”

Check out what’s in Style in 2019

Granite is Out, and Quartz is In
Since the 90s, granite was the top-of-the-line for counters. However, quartz is now the hottest trend. Like granite, quartz is durable and can be expensive; but has more finish options, colors, and styles. It’ll give a fresh look to your new kitchen or bathroom.

Specialty Sinks
You’ll see beautiful, deep specialty kitchen sinks in brass, bright metallics, and hammered finishes. For bathrooms, intricate designs and details make this kitchen aspect look like a piece of art. Check out Kohler designs and others.

2019 Kitchen and Bath Trends - by Kohler

White Cabinets Are Gone

Although white cabinets will always be classic, many people are tired of having a kitchen or bathroom without any color. The kitchen is considered the heart of the home, so give it some life. Consider wood tones in warm chestnut, pale ash, or painted in pale or dark turquoise, blue, green, or even black. Another trend is to use a dark color on base cabinets and lighter shades on the uppers.

Speaking of Cabinets
Another new trend – but one that is gaining more popularity – is to eliminate the upper cabinets. As people head toward the minimalist movement, fewer cabinets make a kitchen look cleaner and more open. If you add a walk-in pantry or antique armoire, you can balance the lack of storage. Some clients add open shelves, but do it in black metal, not wood – another new trend!

No Subway Tile
Like white cabinets, subway tiles are classic. However, why use what everyone else has when there are thousands of shapes, colors, and patterns from which to choose? Especially in a small bathroom, try something fun. A colorful backsplash can give your kitchen some pizzazz. If you’re afraid of too much color, use an unusual shape or a tile with texture.

Stainless Steel Appliances Are Out
Remember your mother’s or grandmother’s kitchen in the 70s with harvest gold and avocado green appliances? Everything old is new again! Top appliances are no longer stainless, they’re in blue, red, gold, or even painted to look like a British phone booth or modern art. Moreover, don’t worry about matching appliances – get different colors if you want.

Gold Faucets and Handles
For years the trend was brushed nickel, now it’s gold. Not shiny brass – this time it’s rose gold, gold patina, or black golds — a gorgeous twist on traditional.

Colorize Your Decor!

If there’s one trend to remember for the coming year, it’s color! Appliances, tile, cabinetry, doors, and more kitchens and bathrooms are now alive with color. Take your time and choose wisely, but don’t forget to have some fun. It’s your home, after all!

Joseph Douglas Homes
Founded in 1998, Deron Butler established Joseph Douglas Homes as its principal architect and founder. They have been voted one of Greater Milwaukee area’s best home builders receiving an A+ rating from the BBB (Better Business Bureau). They can bring your vision to life with outstanding custom designs, quality craftsmanship, and excellent prices. Let Joseph Douglas Homes build your dream home! Contact Joseph Douglas Homes.