KAREN WIGHT -- No Place Like Home

The American home is a microcosm of societal evolution. Our homes reflect

our changing habits, our personal preferences, our priorities and our

desire for personal fulfillment.

The home has become our retreat, our sanctuary and our escape from an

increasingly complicated world. Homes provide more than mere shelter. And

in addition to being a place to hang your hat, homes are becoming

entertainment centers, hobby centers, learning centers, social hubs and

offices.

Our homes are expanding; the average home is 2,120 square feet, which is

620 square feet larger than homes built in the 1970s. One in three of our

homes have had an addition or major improvement. And half of all

homeowners polled said that they expect to remodel and redecorate in the

next two years. So, as the world changes, so do our homes. Rooms with

adaptability are the new buzzword and if you haven’t tackled the basics

yet (master bath, kitchen and patio) you’d better get moving.

First on the list of homeowner priorities is an expanded and upgraded

master bathroom. More than 75% of us claim this project is highest on our

hit list.

Creating outside living areas has captured the imagination of 57% of

homeowners. Patios, covered living spaces, fireplaces, spas, improved

hard-scape and landscaping projects are inspiring us to use the outside

of our homes like living areas. An outdoor eating area, particularly in

areas where the weather permits outdoor living, is a mandatory feature.

Yet of all the improvements we plan, the new bathrooms to be enjoyed, the

covered patios to be landscaped, including an office in the home, is the

fastest rising statistic. We want to be not only owners of our homes, but

also masters of our destiny. In a homeowner poll, 22% say they need a

study or home office to conduct their business or the business of the

family. New homes come equipped with electrical outlets and phone lines

for computers, modem hookups and fax machines and a room that can

function as an efficient home office is a major plus for both new home

sales and for resale value.

If you have been pondering the addition of a home office or reconfiguring

a bedroom or just adding a work station armoire to the living room,

planning is paramount. A good home office enables you to enjoy both sides

of your life better. Take the time to sit down and identify your needs.

How much work space do you require? How many filing cabinets do you need

to accommodate your paperwork? How much room for office supplies do you

have?

Experts say that establishing an area or room away from the busiest rooms

in the house is important. Work areas should be just that and not

interfere with your daily living habits. Do not combine your office with

your bedroom sanctuary. Make your home office a place to be efficient and

then be able to walk away from it.

Just as you would organize your kitchen drawers and cabinets or the

garage workbench, organize your office. Have supplies close at hand. Be

sure that you arrange for the appropriate electrical requirements before

you move the big furniture in. Do you need another phone line? Anticipate

your needs.

The choices for office furniture have exponentially increased. Office

furniture has taken on a life of its own. There are an enormous amount of

choices, sometimes too many. Sawhorses with a door on top do not cut it

anymore.

If you don’t have a room to designate as office only, consider using part

of another room for office space. If you have a large living room that

doesn’t get used as much as the rest of your house, think about setting

up part of the room as your work space. You can use a decorative screen

to hide the space or with all of the beautiful choices of furniture,

display your desk, just make sure you keep the clutter off the top.

If you need a computer and all the technology that goes along with it,

look for, or build, an armoire that doubles as a beautiful piece of

furniture. When the doors are closed, it is a beautiful French antique to

be treasured. Opened up, it is a highly efficient work space with pull

out writing boards, computer terminal, printing station and storage

space.

So, welcome to the 21st century. Make your home a personal retreat. Eat,

drink, work and be merry.

* KAREN WIGHT is a Newport Beach resident. Her column runs Saturdays.