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Create the Perfect Home Office By Maggie HorneTechnology is helping more and more people to escape the traditional work environment, so why not leap onto the bandwagon with them by turning that spare room or corner into a home office? While computers, fax machines and the internet have all helped make the leap to home working even easier, one problem when setting up a home work zone is exactly where to locate it. Even the smallest of spaces can be transformed into a fully functioning workspace in just a few easy steps. Working from home means that you choose your working hours and when to take a break, but it also requires great self-discipline and good organization. Plan the layout of your home office badly, and you could be left with an environment that is uncomfortable and frustrating to work in. Your home office will need convenient phone and electrical points as well as adequate heating and ventilation. If family members are around during the day, locating your home office in the living room, where the TV may be a distraction, simply won't work. Think about where you have space, and the impact on others. If you locate your office in a room that is also used for other activities, such as dining, so why not invest in a decorative screen to hide unsightly equipment when it's not in use? Before you begin decorating and furnishing the room, measure the area and any large items, then draw a layout. A plan like this will allow you to place furniture in the most practical location and maximise on space. When you've measured and settled on the best location, perhaps in an attic conversion or even under the stairs if you've room, give the space a whole new look with a lick of paint. Bright primary colours will be too harsh, so try calming and relaxing neutrals. Subtle shades such as pale green will help keep the area bright and airy, while also making the space seem larger. Investing in a few key pieces of equipment will give you a more comfortable workspace. A funky-looking desk may look stylish, but buying one that's too small or unstable will lead to frustration - so make sure it's practical. When choosing office furniture on a budget, think about what you already have. For example, unused shelving units that have been dumped in the garage might be cleaned, then revamped with a lick of paint. Check out high street stores like Staples and Ikea for inexpensive, practical products, and leaf through the phone book for local firms that sell second-hand office furniture. A home office will, of course, need good lighting, so invest in task lights, such as angle poise lamps, to make reading and computer work even easier. Never position your desk with the window behind it, as this will cause glare on the monitor screen and strain your eyes. Electrical items, such as fax machines and computers, inevitably mean leads - tie them together and hide them away to minimize mess and prevent accidents. An efficient office is all about sensible storage and good planning. Invest in plenty of shelving, box files and trays to help minimize clutter. Create a place for mail, paper and envelopes, books and reference materials. If you want to create a warm working atmosphere, use baskets for storage. If space is at a premium, consider storing items you won't need all the time in another area of your home. Little creative touches will make your home office more fun, and help make it an enjoyable place to work. Personal touches like photos are fine, but mountains of fluffy toys may not impress if clients need to visit. Finally, a couple of golden rules for working from home. Family members should know the office is out of bounds during your working day. And if you are easily distracted, don't place your desk in front of the window. Gazing at the outside world won't get you any work done! |
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