Is Working at Home a Challenge for You?
In other offices there’s people filing, cleaning, processing information and doing many other tasks in the home business all this falls to YOU. Balancing working and “home” time is another challenge and for this reason many people prefer using a spare room with a door…your “commute” is opening it and walking through but it isn’t necessarily a part of home life.
Deciding What You Want
Before beginning sit down and think about what you really want. What do you need to do in this office? Will you be storing paper files or will everything be stored to CD disk? What business are you in? Do you need access to a phone? Is there a phone jack for computer access? What inspires you to work?
This is an important question! Some people are inspired to look up and see a few pictures of family or objects that have special meaning, while others find that distracting. Some cannot work with “clear space” on their desk and others can’t work without it. Remember one of the advantages of working from home is to have control of your work day and this control starts with setting up your office!
Consider Carefully a Phone in the Office
While it is handy in some cases there are many cases where friends and family can think “oh she works at home so I can call and chat for an hour”. Sometimes this isn’t a bad thing but when it happens 6-7 times per week you’re losing a day of work! Consider loosely setting hours for phone time. Are you likely to get distracted? If you go to the kitchen for a soda or cup of tea do you see the dishes or other tasks and three hours later you’re getting back to your project? If so plan for that!
There are several important factors to consider in your home office
Don’t worry about too big. Once you get using it and growing your business the space will fill up!
How much work room do you need? A desk that is too big or too small makes it harder to get through the day.
Get a Good Quality Comfortable Chair
This will be your seat for most of your work life – invest in a good chair! Folding chairs or other temporary measures can create soreness in legs, back, shoulders and even headaches. While you can stand and stretch several times during the day, a good chair is truly worth the investment. This need not be expensive but should be a comfortable seat with back support and adjustable to a height that is comfortable for you to work.
Do Not Underestimate Lighting
While windows and natural lighting are best sometimes that isn’t an option or still doesn’t bring enough light. Have room lighting as well as task lighting. Trying to read a computer screen in the dark can create unnecessary strain on your eyes. There are energy efficient “corkscrew” looking bulbs that provide excellent lighting. Expect to pay about $10 for three or four of them, depending on where you shop.
How Much Storage Do You Need?
If you won’t be handling paper files you may well get along with a desk with a file drawer in it or a two drawer file cabinet. The latter may be an inexpensive investment – put what files you have in one and in the other you can store office items you’ll be stocking up on. This places them accessible but out of sight and not taking additional room.
Consider If You Need Shelves
If the run to the kitchen is too big of a distraction get a used kitchen cabinet and hang in the office – keep a small supply of tea, cups, sugar, spoons and such there. Alternately, get a plastic storage tub that slides under your desk for smaller things. Small storage bins can hold a variety of items.
If You’re on a Budget Don’t be Discouraged!
Check places like Craigslist, thrift stores and freecycle lists. Look for “scratch and dent” deals. If the desk has a scratch on the side facing the wall and can save $200 on it who knows the scratch is there?! Invest your money into a good chair and decent desk. Look at dollar stores for colorful bins and baskets. Keep supplies that you use most often within reach. If it’s something you use occasionally – perhaps a hole punch or binder – a shelf slightly further away might be a good place.
If you use reference books get a used bookshelf, often free or inexpensive…and keep those near but perhaps across the room. Those that you use daily have a small group on your desk or on a shelf beside or behind it. If you find something for free use it! A bookcase may not match exactly but for free can you live with that? As your business takes off you can always replace it and give it to someone else starting out who needs it.
Make sure to consider work flow
Your home office is somewhere you will spend most of your day. Making it functional, comfortable and efficient will make your working at home much more pleasant!