Design Tips for the Home Office

Annemarie Diaz, UDCP • November 9, 2022

While the COVID crisis is behind us (let’s declare it so!), many families are still looking for ways to create a home office, whether it be by adding space to the home, converting a portion of the garage, or by retrofitting a den or other existing space within the home. We thought it may be helpful to provide just a few things to keep in mind as you look to create your home office. Contact us to learn more about how we can help you make the office space that works for you. 

Dedicated Spaces

How many hours would you use the space as a home office? If you work only from home, then it makes sense to have a dedicated space that takes into consideration aesthetics as well as light and perhaps most importantly noise. An attached addition with a separate entrance may work well, where the design can include adequate sound protection, appropriate lighting, and well placed windows. One of our favorite home office projects was to convert an unused workshop in the back of a garage into 2 home office spaces, either of which could also serve as a future guest room. Adding large windows that look out into a tree filled backyard, a new glass pane exterior door with security code, and finishing out the interior with added electrical, hard-wired internet connections for more secure and stable internet access, and a mini-split for heating and cooling. This was worth the investment for homeowners who work long hours, primarily from home.

Before and During Construction:

After:

Existing Room Conversion

We recently completed two projects with wet rooms - distinctly different designs for distinctly different households!


Why do a wet room?


Wait… what is a wet room? Let’s start there! A wet room is a large tiled or otherwise waterproof area that can hold both the shower and bathtub, with glass doors or enclosure. 


Why a wet room? A wet room is a practical option to include both a freestanding tub and a shower in a relatively small bathroom. They can be a good fit for all members of the family - to allow for safe splashing for kids as well as a great option for a roll in or seated shower for older or impaired adults. They are great for busy households for ease of cleaning, and they look… amazing!


Rockwood Master Suite Addition


For our Rockwood Master Suite Addition project, a master suite addition for a growing family in Austin, when going through the design phase and listening to their vision for what they wanted with their addition, we presented floor plan options with a traditional master bath and an option with a wet room. The family liked the idea of a wet room for something original and different for the home. What they didn’t anticipate was what a hit it would be for the kids! In their Google review they noted “In the end, it's difficult to convey just how happy we are with the job done by TRS Build. Our family was quickly outgrowing the space, and the addition designed and built by TRS Build has given us some much needed breathing room. We now have a beautiful master bedroom and a sanctuary of a master bathroom that includes a walk in shower & tub area which our entire family (kids included) absolutely love. In fact, we look forward to family bath time because the wet room makes it so easy!!” 

Before:

After:

Added Features

No matter how you obtain the square footage, be sure to include some natural light. This is easy if doing an addition or building an accessory building. If converting an existing interior space that has no windows, adding one or two is worth the expense to have the health and mood benefits that natural lighting brings, especially if the home office is your primary place of work.


If there is room in the budget, also consider some custom shelving and cabinetry. This will not only help create a space that is enjoyable to be in, it can also provide organized storage and display areas, and serve as the perfect background for video meetings. Also, consider whether your office can benefit from an LED TV monitor that can be great for catching up on business news or following presentations.

Last but not least, choosing the perfect paint color, creating a bold accent wall with wallpaper, shiplap or panel (or just painting!), a dedicated space for pets or play area, large art pieces, plants, and accessories are also great ways to add personality - and productivity - to your home office space!


See more on our Services page, or Contact Us to learn more about how we can help you make the office space that works for you. 

Why is it important to hire a NARI contractor?

By Annemarie Diaz, UDCP • February 3, 2025
My husband (who is also my business partner, apparently we truly can’t get enough of each other!) frequently says that we will become like the five people we spend the most time with, that we are shaped by the environment we choose to immerse ourselves in, and more importantly, the people in that environment. I think the same is true of our companies. That is why at TRS Build we choose to surround ourselves with fellow members of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) . I was reminded of that this month during our Austin NARI Builder and Developer Roundtable meeting where I had the opportunity to engage with like-minded business owners, exchange ideas on what is working best to deliver to our clients, employees, and tradespeople, and I could personally share from our SERVICE value focus and the importance of trust and remaining trustworthy to our clients and team. We choose to spend time with other NARI members because they run reputable businesses, provide amazing results, and like ourselves, invest in knowing other reputable contractors and finding opportunities for us to learn from one another. Each of our companies is different in our value proposition and project focus, but we are all the same in our drive to raise the bar on customer experience and affirm the trust we have established over years or even decades of delivering to homeowners in and around Austin.

Can We Add a Second Floor? Of Course!

By Annemarie Diaz, UDCP • November 20, 2024
Many homeowners come to us with the question: “Can we add a second floor onto our one story home?” Our answer? "Of Course!"... though there are some important considerations to keep in mind from the start.

The Power of a Team: Insights from the TRS Build Retreat

By Annemarie Diaz, UDCP • August 14, 2024
Greetings from TRS Build! We recently gathered for our annual retreat where we bring the team together for two days to refocus and reinforce our commitment to client experience and quality in product and service delivery. This year’s retreat was particularly insightful as we delved into the theme of "The Power of a Team" and its profound impact on how we support our clients to achieve the beauty and functionality they are seeking with their remodel, home addition, or custom home. Much of the two-day session is also spent working together to continually improve our processes and procedures; and of course, what retreat could be complete without taking some time to celebrate our progress and the contributions each person has made to it.
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