- Light the Way and Save Your Eyes
It's extremely important to have proper lighting in a home office. To reduce eye strain, have lighting installed over your reading area, over the computer, and behind you so that there's no reflection off the computer monitor.
Place the computer monitor a comfortable distance from your chair so that you don't need to squint or use reading glasses to read the screen. By reducing eye strain, you'll be able to work longer and more safely.
- Less is More in a Home Office
Of course, you want everything you'll need at hand, but you'd be surprised what you can live without--such as 6 pairs of scissors or 10 pens. Sort through your supplies and get rid of anything extra. Clutter is very distracting and reduces efficiency. Get your schedule, your routine, and your workspace organized and you'll work better.
Identify a space for printer paper, computer program manuals, and reference books. Place the mail in the same place every day and have the telephone within arm's reach.
If your storage space is limited in your designated home office, find a place in another area of your home for items and supplies that you use less frequently.
Include power surge protectors to protect your computer and information from electrical power outages. Store back-up disks in another part of the home.
- Plan for Visitors
If you will be having clients into your home office, be sure that they don't have to walk past a sleeping baby or dirty kitchen to get to you. Keep things as professional as possible. And consider the privacy of your work.
If clients will be waiting for an appointment with you, provide comfortable seating, a reading light, and interesting literature.
- Add Some Pizzazz for Fun
A home office doesn't have to be serious even if the work you do there is. Add personal touches and color to make the space more inviting. Select a decorating style and add patterns, window treatments, and furniture to express that style. Or use this space to escape to some style you'd not want for your whole home, but love anyway.
Add accessories for organization such as baskets for papers and mail. Cover boxes with interesting fabrics to store CD's, tapes, and office supplies.
If you have any wall space at all, be sure to include either artwork or photos that you love.
By planning your home office space, getting it organized, and decorating it to express who you are, you'll enjoy it more. Your work will be better, you'll appreciate being at home, and you'll have the perfect place to work--your home.
Read on for information on Setting Up a Home Office on a Shoestring.
