Hello,
since we are in the middle of planning, I have another question:
Is it practical to relocate the home office to the basement? Our floor plan currently includes an 8.5 m² (91 sq ft) office on the ground floor. However, we are still lacking space for a wardrobe, and the storage room, which is only 2.6 m² (28 sq ft), is actually too small for our needs. Therefore, we are considering converting the office into a utility room so we can comfortably store everything without overcrowding, using the storage room as a walk-in closet for coats and shoes, and using the 15 m² (161 sq ft) basement room as the office.
The office would mainly be for storing files (insurance documents, bank statements, etc.) and occasional paperwork, so it wouldn’t really be used for working regularly. We also rarely have overnight guests, but with that size, it would be possible to fit a bed as well.
What do you think about this idea? The attic floor hosts the two kids’ rooms, the master bedroom, and the bathroom, so there is no space there.
Does this make sense, or is it usually disadvantageous in practice?
since we are in the middle of planning, I have another question:
Is it practical to relocate the home office to the basement? Our floor plan currently includes an 8.5 m² (91 sq ft) office on the ground floor. However, we are still lacking space for a wardrobe, and the storage room, which is only 2.6 m² (28 sq ft), is actually too small for our needs. Therefore, we are considering converting the office into a utility room so we can comfortably store everything without overcrowding, using the storage room as a walk-in closet for coats and shoes, and using the 15 m² (161 sq ft) basement room as the office.
The office would mainly be for storing files (insurance documents, bank statements, etc.) and occasional paperwork, so it wouldn’t really be used for working regularly. We also rarely have overnight guests, but with that size, it would be possible to fit a bed as well.
What do you think about this idea? The attic floor hosts the two kids’ rooms, the master bedroom, and the bathroom, so there is no space there.
Does this make sense, or is it usually disadvantageous in practice?
It depends...
I am also considering moving the office to the basement (existing building - no planning phase).
Our basement (not purely a living basement, since the ceiling height is only 2.20 m (7 ft 3 in), but sufficient) is within the building envelope, so it is insulated and heated. Additionally, since it is a hillside property, the room has natural daylight. Mobile phone reception is also available. Using a DECT phone is not a problem either. However, the phone connection is currently located in the office—this is where the router and network printer are. Especially the “family printer” should remain on the ground floor. But generally, this would not be an issue; it doesn’t really matter if a router and printer might be located in a future guest room.
So: why not move the office to the basement? But: daylight should be present. If mobile phone and phone handset reception are available, then why not? And if there is no Wi-Fi signal, you can either use a repeater or Powerline adapters.
If you are still in the planning phase, you can arrange for the necessary connections (network cables) in advance. Even mobile phone reception in the basement can be technically managed without problems.
I am also considering moving the office to the basement (existing building - no planning phase).
Our basement (not purely a living basement, since the ceiling height is only 2.20 m (7 ft 3 in), but sufficient) is within the building envelope, so it is insulated and heated. Additionally, since it is a hillside property, the room has natural daylight. Mobile phone reception is also available. Using a DECT phone is not a problem either. However, the phone connection is currently located in the office—this is where the router and network printer are. Especially the “family printer” should remain on the ground floor. But generally, this would not be an issue; it doesn’t really matter if a router and printer might be located in a future guest room.
So: why not move the office to the basement? But: daylight should be present. If mobile phone and phone handset reception are available, then why not? And if there is no Wi-Fi signal, you can either use a repeater or Powerline adapters.
If you are still in the planning phase, you can arrange for the necessary connections (network cables) in advance. Even mobile phone reception in the basement can be technically managed without problems.
If the space on the ground floor is used differently... you can set up the office in the basement. However, if it is also meant to serve as a guest room or exercise room, I would recommend planning for a standard window with a proper light well. But it will probably be like @Manu1976 describes it.
I know the situation (office on the upper floor), and we now also have a multi-purpose room on the ground floor, including for office use.
Nowadays, you need space in the household for a desktop PC, printer, and lots of file folders.
(Our file folder width is 1.90 meters (6.2 feet) for two people)
Technology doesn’t exactly look cozy in the living area, and it’s usually too much clutter for other corners.
You can initially store papers and bills in a drawer on the ground floor and after a month move them to the basement (of course, bills should be paid right away).
Otherwise, here is a tip—provided the floor plan allows it (usually not feasible in a standard floor plan unless you have a separate room for it):
You can set up the office inside a (wardrobe) closet about 150cm (59 inches) wide. Simply remove the clothes rail and install a work surface (from a DIY store) at desk height. Underneath, you can add a drawer tray for the mouse and keyboard—sliding in and out as needed. A power strip with a switch supplies electricity to the devices. Add shelves as needed.
In our case, it’s an old wardrobe with sliding doors; the other side holds seasonal clothes, bags, and games.
Our office (where the wardrobe is) doesn’t look like an office but rather a cozy guest room.
A DIY suggestion from Yvonne
I know the situation (office on the upper floor), and we now also have a multi-purpose room on the ground floor, including for office use.
Nowadays, you need space in the household for a desktop PC, printer, and lots of file folders.
(Our file folder width is 1.90 meters (6.2 feet) for two people)
Technology doesn’t exactly look cozy in the living area, and it’s usually too much clutter for other corners.
You can initially store papers and bills in a drawer on the ground floor and after a month move them to the basement (of course, bills should be paid right away).
Otherwise, here is a tip—provided the floor plan allows it (usually not feasible in a standard floor plan unless you have a separate room for it):
You can set up the office inside a (wardrobe) closet about 150cm (59 inches) wide. Simply remove the clothes rail and install a work surface (from a DIY store) at desk height. Underneath, you can add a drawer tray for the mouse and keyboard—sliding in and out as needed. A power strip with a switch supplies electricity to the devices. Add shelves as needed.
In our case, it’s an old wardrobe with sliding doors; the other side holds seasonal clothes, bags, and games.
Our office (where the wardrobe is) doesn’t look like an office but rather a cozy guest room.
A DIY suggestion from Yvonne
D
Doc.Schnaggls11 Feb 2015 14:07Hello,
we have also placed our combined office and guest room in the heated basement.
As mentioned earlier, we had a light well installed in front of a large double casement window.
In our opinion, this provides more than enough natural light for an office (including occasional home office use) and a guest room.
Mobile phone reception is available without any technical aids, and all other media connections are accessible in the basement via a Homeway socket.
However, when planning a guest room (=bedroom) in the basement, it is important to consider that a second emergency exit (an external door or an escape window) must be included, and depending on the state or region, smoke detectors may also need to be installed.
Best regards,
Dirk
we have also placed our combined office and guest room in the heated basement.
As mentioned earlier, we had a light well installed in front of a large double casement window.
In our opinion, this provides more than enough natural light for an office (including occasional home office use) and a guest room.
Mobile phone reception is available without any technical aids, and all other media connections are accessible in the basement via a Homeway socket.
However, when planning a guest room (=bedroom) in the basement, it is important to consider that a second emergency exit (an external door or an escape window) must be included, and depending on the state or region, smoke detectors may also need to be installed.
Best regards,
Dirk
I’m currently in the planning phase and thought I’d revisit this thread.
We’re also considering moving the home office to the basement because the ground floor would otherwise be too cramped. At the moment, the office is planned to be 12 m² (130 sq ft) on the ground floor, but with a total of 80 m² (860 sq ft), everything else ends up a bit small. There’s no pantry, and the kitchen and living/dining areas could all benefit from a few more square meters.
Of course, we could enlarge the ground floor, but then the whole house would become too large. For example, if we increase the ground floor to 85 m² (915 sq ft), we’d have a total of 170 m² (1,830 sq ft), which is already too big and naturally more expensive. Also, we have enough space on the upper floor even at 150 m² (1,615 sq ft).
On the other hand, having the office in the basement isn’t ideal either. Since I work from home quite a bit, it would be much better on the ground floor. Additionally, we might want to use that room as a bedroom later on.
Do you have any suggestions?
We’re also considering moving the home office to the basement because the ground floor would otherwise be too cramped. At the moment, the office is planned to be 12 m² (130 sq ft) on the ground floor, but with a total of 80 m² (860 sq ft), everything else ends up a bit small. There’s no pantry, and the kitchen and living/dining areas could all benefit from a few more square meters.
Of course, we could enlarge the ground floor, but then the whole house would become too large. For example, if we increase the ground floor to 85 m² (915 sq ft), we’d have a total of 170 m² (1,830 sq ft), which is already too big and naturally more expensive. Also, we have enough space on the upper floor even at 150 m² (1,615 sq ft).
On the other hand, having the office in the basement isn’t ideal either. Since I work from home quite a bit, it would be much better on the ground floor. Additionally, we might want to use that room as a bedroom later on.
Do you have any suggestions?
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