How to Design a Functional Home Office

With more people telecommuting to work, it is becoming more important to have a functional home office where you can get meaningful work done. The set-up of your room can seriously affect your productivity, so keep these tips in mind when designing your home office.

Things You'll Need

• Office furniture
• Office supplies
• Decor items

Instructions

1. Find an empty spot in your home. This can be an entire room or just an unused corner. It is important to have a certain amount of space dedicated to your work, so don't be afraid to move a few things around to create the necessary space.

2. Whether you work on a computer, on paper, or with something else entirely, your work station is the most important part of the equation. Make sure it is facing away from anything distracting, such as a window or television. Also make sure it is well-lit and has the space you require for your work.

3. Decorate your space. Hang up motivational posters and frame pictures of your heroes--do whatever it takes to really make the space your own.

4. A home office should be inviting, comfortable and conducive to work. Don't be afraid to place a couch in your office where you can take a little break, or add a nice decorative fountain or statue.

5. If you find that your design is too small, or too casual, don't be afraid to change things around. It may take several tries to get the perfect home office set up, but once you do, it will pay off in increased productivity and pride in your work.

Tips & Warnings

• Whether it is ink, clay, or graph paper, keep your cache stocked for at least a month so you can minimize supply trips.