Tips on designing a home office.
2/20/2007

A little planning can prevent big headaches! Especially when you are setting up an office at home. Here are ten key things to consider:

Location. If you will be the only one to use your PC or
other office tools, then you may want to make a corner
of your bedroom your home office. In this way, you can
work there at any hour of the day. If others need to
use the PC, putting it and your home office in another
room that everyone can use makes sense. My home
office is on a glassed-in porch in a high rise
condominium, so that I can work there at all hours
without disturbing the family.

Lighting. Both natural and artificial light are important.
Placing your work station near a window and natural
lighting is good for daytime work. Having adequate
electric lighting for night work is essential. An
adjustable desk light is a good idea. Windows will need
blinds or shades, for light control.

Desk. A desk is to your office like the bed to your
bedroom and the table to your dining room…the
essential piece. Therefore, you want to carefully select
your desk to be sure the height, width and working
surface is right for you. If you are working at a PC, try
out a desk before you buy it. Make sure your arms are
comfortable, to help prevent carpal tunnel syndrome.
Be sure you have plenty of room to spread out papers.
More and more consumers, especially women, are
selecting decorative writing desks. They are more
fashionable and take up less room.

Task Chair. If you work at your desk for long hours,
splurge on a good ergonomically designed chair!

Storage. You may need more than one kind of
storage. File cabinets and lockers offer closed-door
storage. For open storage, bookshelves come in two-
shelf (about 30 inches high) and five-shelf sizes. I like
to file papers in black notebook binders and put them
on bookshelves where I can see them quickly and
easily. I also like open bins on casters that slide
beneath my desk tops. I use one for each on-going
project. Wall-hung shelves are decorative and useful.
Armoires can hold office supplies. So can dressers,
buffets and bureaus! Closets are great storage places.
A linen closet is the right size for storing my office
supplies, and it’s handy. Some people hide their tall file
cabinets in closets.

Bulletin Board. A bulletin board is great for posting
notes and bits of information that you want to keep
before your eyes. Hang one above your desk or near
the door, where it’s the first thing you see when
entering and the last thing you see as you leave the
room.

Conference/Work Table. In a small home office or
office area, a separate table for conferencing or
working may not be possible. But, before you decide,
consider a drop-leaf or folding table that you can
expand or bring out when it’s needed!

Wiring. Make sure you have enough electrical outlets.
Don’t overload. Use surge protector extension cords
for hooking up your electronic equipment. More people
are switching to wireless connections for the PCs,
which permits using laptops all around the house or
apartment.

Sound control. Chose a location for your office in a
room with a door. This is important if your PC has
sound, you have a 24-hour fax machine, or you are
working with other sound equipment. Adding carpeting
or a large area rug and draperies will help absorb
sound and keep your home office quieter.

and create a more reflective, thoughtful environment. If the
walls.your home office shares a bedroom, den or living room,
you will want the furniture to be compatible for room, you will
want the furniture to be compatible for harmony’s sake. Ditto
for accessories, including art for the walls.