A Home Office that Really Works
March 9th, 2010With a speedy commute, flexible hours, and lots of independence, working from home can be a great luxury, especially when your home office is comfortable and efficient. Here are 5 simple steps you can take to make your home office the most productive space in your house:
1. Make the space work for you. Assess what you really need from your office. If you are transitioning from a job outside the home, consider what worked best about your old workspace. Was everything in one place? Do you like to spread out your papers to work? Are your files on your hard drive, in a filing cabinet, or on your Blackberry or iPhone? Do you expect to share the space with your family (for kids to do homework, or as a guestroom), or will your office be a place for you and you only? Don’t set up your office based on how you think you should work. Set it up based on how you are already working.
For example, because I have an office for my business, I don’t feel like I need a formal workspace at home. I can work in any space as long as there is an outlet for my laptop! I tend to gravitate toward serene spots, where I can be creative and think, which is why my desk is in my bedroom, rather than in a family area.
2. Set your budget and think outside the box. Are you planning on building a new space for your office, or converting a garage or attic? If it’s a simple conversion of existing space, a general contractor should be able to give you an estimate. Get multiple estimates, and check all references from anyone you are thinking of hiring. If your budget is lean, you can still create a useful working space in your home. Get creative: do you have a guest room that rarely hosts guests? A playroom that your kids have outgrown? Extra space in the kitchen? Designate office space using low-cost solutions like screens, bookcases, and modular storage units to preserve privacy and contain your work.
3. Get wired. Once you’ve decided where your office will be located, lay out how the finished room will look. Take measurements and sketch how furniture will fit in the room. List the office equipment you will be using to determine where to place additional electrical outlets, reducing the need for extension cords. For me, one of the most crucial things in a workspace is lighting. I prefer both natural and overhead lighting. If your room lacks windows, make sure you have enough overheard and area fixtures. You’ll also want a desk lamp for adequate task lighting. Consider what other wiring you will need: Do you do all your business on a cell? Or do you need a landline, or two? Is the room hard-wired for high-speed Internet service? Or should you invest in a wireless router, providing Internet access to the whole household without needing to “plug-in”?
4. Make yourself comfortable. I sometimes like to work on the floor in a big pile of pillows, near a sunny window. When I’m comfortable, I’m willing to stay where I am and focus on the task at hand. Your home office should be a place you look forward to going — not somewhere you are eager to escape! Arrange your work area in an L or U shape - this way you’ll have all your important items within easy reach. If you plan on spending lots of hours at your desk, make sure that you get a comfortable chair with adequate back support. Place your computer keyboard and monitor are at the proper height. Consider how you will heat and cool your space. Ceiling fans and programmable thermostats are proven energy savers. (Go to www.barbarasway.com for info on how to evaluate and install these proven money and energy savers!)
5. Create a place for everything. You can install wall shelving (inexpensive and easy to construct), use free-standing shelves (I’ve got instructions on my website for how to build a nifty and functional shelving system on wheels), or invest in stackable modular storage pieces. My book, Room for Improvement offers more great ideas for do-it-yourselfers. Consider hiding your office equipment in a computer armoire. Bookshelves, or even fabric panels can double as room dividers, creating a separate area for client meetings.
Finally, remember that working at home is not just a lifestyle decision — it’s your business. Review your at-home productivity and profitability at six-month intervals and be prepared to make necessary adjustments. With a smoothly running home office, you can find a new job, launch a new business, or take your home-based career to the next level.
