If you're building an office from scratch, the first thing you need to do is make a plan. This first set of tips will get you thinking about where to start.
Define Your Space
The first thing you need to do is decide where your office is going to be. Do you have a whole room to dedicate to it? Or maybe just a corner of a room? Whatever the case, it's important to clearly define your office space.
Questions to Ask
You're going to want to ask yourself some important questions while considering your home office. Questions like:
What furniture do I already have (desk, chair, lamp)? Will clients need to come in my office? Is my space big enough that I won't feel crowded?
Draw Your Work Area
It's a good idea to plan out your work area. Where is your desk going? Do you have room for shelves? If you can see everything on paper, It'll be a lot easier when you move things to where they need to be.
Measure
After drawing your office, get out a measuring tape and measure everything. Be sure you measure your office space and all of your furniture. Even if you don't yet have all the furniture that you need, at least you'll have the measurements of what will fit.
Give Yourself a Space to Write
When planning your office, make sure you give yourself room to write. With all of your computer equipment, lamps, printers, etc., you can easily forget to give yourself space to write. Even the most technology-savvy individual needs to simply jot down an idea sometimes.
CREATING SPACE
Many people don't have room for a home office, so they need to make room. All it takes is a little creativity. This next set of tips will give you some ideas and hopefully get those creative juices flowing.
Using Long, Narrow Spaces
If you have a long wall, you can use it as a make-shift office. Just look around for a narrow desk, and you're halfway there. You can even use some cinder blocks and a sturdy piece of wood.
Use a Wall Separator
Wall separators do wonders for would-be-rooms. They're not very expensive and can make any corner look like a real room. You also can use the extra wall for calendars, sticky notes, etc.
Look For Nooks
You'd be surprised at the little nooks and spaces you can use for an office. Look for things like:
Under stairs Entryway Laundry room corner Walk-in closet
Garage or Basement
Don't forget to consider your garage or basement for a make-shift home office. You may need to do some temperature and lighting control, but in the end, either could make a great office.
Make Your Chair Comfortable
By now, you've already decided what chair you're going to use. If it's not the most comfortable, use pillows or back supports to make it easier to sit on.
Monitor Distance
Make sure that your monitor is at a good distance from you. You'll want it close enough that you can see and read things on your monitor, but not so close as to strain your eyes.
Personalize Your Desk
Find one or two things that represent you and display them on your desk. These can be things like a picture, a small toy, or an heirloom. Try not to have too many, as it will cause clutter.
Music
Don't be afraid to play some of your favorite music. As long as you like it, and it helps you to be more productive, go for it. Most computers can play CD's, or you can get radio stations on the Internet.
Paint
Painting your office can be a great way to add your personal touch. Get creative and pick your favorite colors and textures. Finish it with a nice border, and your office will look great!
Bring in Nature
Bringing in nature will add class and style to your home office. Here are some ideas:
A plant for your desk A corner tree A hanging waterfall Sounds of nature
Ergonomics
Make sure that you have comfortable tools to make your time working as easy as it can be. Here are some ideas:
Ergonomic keyboard Wrist pad Foot stool or massager Slightly reclined chair Lumbar cushion
Artwork
Spoil yourself with a bit of artwork in your home office. Whether it's new or you found it at a second hand store, make sure it says you, and that you're willing to look at it every day.
Even if you have everything you could possibly need in your home office, if it's not organized, you're not going to get much done. This next set of tips will help you organize so you can get the most out of your office.
Less is More
It's great to have more than enough office supplies, but make a spot away from your desk area to store them. Have only what you need in and on your desk. For example: one notebook, one sticky notepad, two or three pens, etc.
Put Things in Reach
Make sure you have pens, paper, paperclips, etc. easily reachable from your chair. If you don't have desk drawers, have small containers on your desk with these items in them.
Noise
It's important to keep the noise level to a minimum in your home office, especially if clients will be coming into it. You don't want your client to have to compete with a TV or a crying baby.
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