How to Set Up Home Office

When working from home, it is important to set up an office or work space that is tailored to your needs. A properly equipped and organized home office is essential to productivity and time management.

When setting up an office to be your work from home work space, there are several things to consider.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• office furniture
• computer equipment
• storage equipment (shelving, file cabinet)
• lighting
• internet connection
• fax/phone line

1. The first step is determining what kind of space you need. Do you need a quiet space in a room all its own or can your work be done in that far corner of your living room? If your job demands specific periods of quiet or clients visiting on occasion, you will need a separate room dedicated as your office. If your work can be done from a laptop or at any hours of the day or night, you may be able to set up a smaller space in an already functioning room of your home. If privacy is needed, but space is limited, you may want to consider a room divider such as a free standing screen.

2. Decide what equipment you need. Many of the essentials of the home office include a computer, printer, copier, scanner, fax machine and telephone. You may be able to use the computer you already have at home, but if you will be competing with other members of your household for time on the computer, it would be wise to get one strictly for business.

3. Have an internet connection and phone/fax lines installed. Again, you don't want to compete with other people in your home for use of the connections to outside parties. Having your designated internet modem and phone lines installed will insure you are not missing an important call because someone else is on the phone and not answering the call waiting. And you don't have to worry about slow upload/download times because someone else is using the internet connection at the same time.

4. You will need furniture. If you will be meeting with clients, you will need to provide a space with adequate seating and work space. If you will be on your own, a desk with enough space for you to work, write and spread out paperwork when necessary should be accompanied by a chair comfortable enough for you to work in for prolonged periods of time.

5. Think about your furniture arrangement. It is important to plan out your furniture placement ahead of time. Because you will likely have phone and internet lines which may be difficult to relocate, you want to be sure the arrangement you choose will be both comfortable for you and conducive to getting your work completed efficiently.

6. Décor is entirely up to you. One of the fun things about working from home is being able to express your personality in your home office. You can create a work place that inspires you, looks like a retreat or reflects your funky side. If you make it a place you love the look of, chances are it will be a space you also love spending time in.

7. A file cabinet and storage system is also essential to keeping organized. Shelving with books and reference materials hung within arm’s reach are a good solution if space is limited. Having a place for everything will help out in those times when you need to answer a question or scan and email something off at a moment’s notice--or when your time is limited because you need to finish up before naptime is over or you have hungry kids waiting to be fed.

8. Don’t forget to create a filing system for your income, expenses and receipts. Especially if you are freelancing or working for your company that classifies you as an independent contractor, you will need these on hand when it is time to file taxes.

9. Stock your office with the essentials such as paper, pens, stapler and tape. But don’t overstock. Nothing inhibits productivity like clutter. Make sure you have enough working pens at hand in case you lose one or have one run out of ink, as well as enough paper to keep your copier, printer and fax machine filled. A drawer containing some staple refills, paper clips and printer ink cartridges is useful, but more than a handful of items and it quickly becomes a junk drawer that is hard to sift through. Store the excess in the closet or some other storage space in the house. Just remember to check your office supplies regularly so you never have to run to the basement in the middle of printing because the paper runs out.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are working from home but not self-employed, don't be afraid to ask your employer to help with the expense of your home office.
• Your office is ready; it’s time to get to work. As you proceed, you will learn the system that is most functional for you. Perhaps you don’t need paper clips after all, but that drawer is handy for storing snacks to save you the time of a trip to the kitchen. Maybe your file cabinet works so well, you want to invest in a larger model. And even though you planned ahead, you may still find that your desk is better suited on the opposing wall. If this is the case, don’t be afraid to call in someone to reroute your internet connection.
• After all, it’s your work space. It needs to work for you.

[2besure]

on 10/15/2008 Wonderful information! 5****

[painthorse42]

on 10/6/2008 Really good tips! 5*

[MIghtyDreamer]

on 9/20/2008 Wise and thought out suggestions.

[amylaine]

on 9/20/2008 Great tips