6 Steps to Setting up a Home Office
6 Steps to Setting up a Home Office
Tired of office work cluttering the kitchen table?
Do you want to expand your bill-paying center at a makeshift
desk into a workable home office? Working at home is not just a
lifestyle decision, it's a business proposition. That means
you'll need more than a computer and desk, but a renewed focus
and approach to how you work at home. To help you concentrate
with work in your home office and ensure productivity, consider
the following tips when setting up your home office.
1. Stake out a space. Many homes today have areas specifically
designed for home offices, located either off the kitchen or in
a nook in the upstairs hallway overlooking the family room. If
that doesn't describe your home, it is time to consider the
possibilities. Unused bedrooms make good home offices as does a
corner of the family room or basement. Depending upon how neat
you are or how easily you're distracted, you'd probably want to
choose an area with a door that can be closed off from the rest
of the house. Some people want to be far away from the kids or
have a door to close out the children while others want or have
to be able to see and hear their kids, especially, if they are
working from home during the day with a toddler
2. Look for light and ventilation. Don't make do with the glow
from your computer monitor. You need good task lighting to work
efficiently without eyestrain. Windows are a big plus. They
provide natural light and ventilation. However, if you're
setting up space in a downstairs family room or finished
basement, you're going to need lots of light to offset the lack
of natural lighting and a vent or fan to keep the air
circulating. Consider investing in an overhead light, floor
lamps or full-spectrum bulbs that simulate daylight. Task
lighting is also very important.
3. Determine a floor plan. Once you get yourself a desk, a
comfortable chair and some file cabinets you'll need to
determine a layout. If space is limited, purchasing a folding
table (keeping the legs folded inside) or a piece of butcher
block and laying it over two file cabinets makes for a space
efficient desk, complete with file storage. An L-shaped or
U-shaped desk configuration works for most people and includes
plenty of space for a computer set-up as well as a good work
surface. Depending upon what inspires or distracts you, you'll
want to set up your desk to face a window, the wall or look into
the room. Your room size and your own personal preferences will
determine what is best for you.
4. Organize your supplies. Arrange your supplies in a way that
promotes efficiency. If you want to keep some files on your desk
for easy reference, you'll need a vertical file rack or a
horizontal in and out box. For your file cabinets, invest in
hanging folders and colored file folders that can be labeled and
organized based on the topic. Store supplies that you do not
need everyday such as extra rolls of tape and piles of copy
paper in a closet or in a rolling storage bin that can be
wheeled out of sight when not needed. Keep a small stash of
supplies within reach, perhaps in a desk drawer so that they
don't clutter up your desktop, such as paperclips, rubber bands
and Post-It notes. Stack extra supplies under your desk or in a
closet.
5. Free up desktop space. If space is at a premium, invest in
equipment that occupies minimal space, such as a flat panel
computer screen, a laptop computer, a multi-purpose machine that
will copy, fax and scan and a Cordless Phone.
6. Keep it clean. Limit what comes into your office. Don't
overlap home-based stuff with office gear. If your kids come
into the office with their toys, make sure they leave with them
as well. Likewise, don't let coffee mugs, newspapers, books or
clothing items accumulate in your office. It is difficult to
work in an area that is cluttered. By cleaning up, you'll
streamline your workflow and keep your mind on the task at hand.
