Setting up your home office

The age of the Internet has redefined what is known as the home office. What used to be a space to pay bills or write letters is now the center of home operations. And it’s a far cry from the basic desk with some pens and paper tablets.

Whether you run a home-based business or not, the space you use for your office is likely to contain a large amount of equipment. Almost everything must be connected: computers, monitors, printers, shredders, telephones, modems, fax machines, whatever. And most of the time, you will also find children using the same space. School projects now require Internet access and research. Word processing has long replaced typewriters.

I know of a family that turned their formal dining room into their family work station.

Given the increasing demands on the home office, it is very important to set up this space effectively or productivity will suffer. If your space does not meet and exceed your needs, life will become chaotic and disorganized.

First, you must choose an ideal location. If it is to be used by the whole family, the more space the better. The guest bedroom or a large section of a dry basement are good options. My neighbors used their formal dining room. Similarly, an unused formal living room would also provide ample space. If you must downsize, find a corner of a room that is conveniently located but with enough clearance from major traffic areas to minimize distractions.

The next step is to furnish this area. I prefer the large open tables to the small decorative desks. Portable drawers and file cabinets on wheels are convenient and move easily. If you spend long hours in front of the computer, be sure to choose ergonomically designed tables and chairs for good health. And if many family members are going to use the office at the same time, allow enough seating and work space. You may also need to call an electrician to add a few more wall sockets for all the office equipment that needs to be plugged in. Overloading existing outlets is never a good idea.

The actual workspace is very important. Using the only table in the room for a computer is one thing, but if that computer consumes all the available desk space, then that’s a problem. You need to have room to write, work on files, and projects. If there is no open desk space then it will feel cramped.

Finally, consider your home office layout. Think about how you work. For example, I’m right-handed, so I keep my filing cabinet to the right of my desk at a “rolling chairs” distance. This way, it’s easy for me to file my paperwork and it doesn’t pile up in piles that clutter up my desk space. Similarly, frequently used supplies should be stored in accessible drawers, not on top of the desk.

A little strategic planning will go a long way when it comes to setting up your work environment. It just might become your favorite place in the house!