Define a place for who you are. When you are working for someone else, they decide what furniture, what colors, what is or is not allowed on the walls or cubicles. But when you are working at home it's your privilege and right to create an environment that makes you happy. "You might want to select light colors for a soothing environment," Zimmerman says. "You might want to surround yourself with things that are important to you, whether pictures of your dog or children or sports trophies or memorabilia." That's the reason you're working at home to begin with so you might as well work in a space that you enjoy, he adds.
Dig Deeper: Essential Tools for Every Home Office
How to Set Up Your Home Office
There are many elements that must come together in a typical home office setup, ranging from desk, chair, and lighting selections, to equipment decisions and layout. "By considering each element separately, as well as how it relates to the overall performance of your home office operations, you can maximize the output of the hours you spend working there," Lonier says.
- Determine your home office design and layout. The most efficient home offices employ an L- or U-shaped design, a layout that keeps entrepreneurs within arm's reach of the equipment and tools they need. "Think of this space as a cockpit that enables you to move from task to task with a minimal amount of effort," Lonier says. The primary space in your "cockpit" should be devoted to the work tasks you do most often and those that require the most mental energy and focus. "If that's computer-based work, then the location of your keyboard and monitor will be most important," Lonier says. "In contrast, if you review paper-based documents or attend to other non-keyboard tasks, then an open expanse of empty desktop will be your central workspace." Be sensitive to ergonomic factors when you design your home office layout because you don't want to risk hurting your back or developing a repetitive strain injury. Most desks are between 27 and 30 inches high, and minor adjustments to the height of your desk can often make a significant difference in your posture and overall energy output.
- Position your home office computer properly. The major decision here is whether you have a dedicated desktop computer or you use a laptop as your primary device. "In both cases, screen height is important, since you want to avoid hunching over a keyboard," Lonier says. Several companies sell laptop stands that elevate a laptop to eye-level, which are often used in conjunction with an external keyboard. A growing number of computer users use larger, and even second, computer monitors, which provide expanded virtual desktop space. If you have two monitors, for instance, you can use one for document creation, and the other to host toolbars and supplemental applications. Be sure to adjust the viewing distance to the monitors carefully so that you retain a comfortable posture and can read the screens easily.
- Select your home office desk chair with care. "Most home-based entrepreneurs spend more time in their office chairs than they do in their beds," Lonier observes. Unfortunately, many often skimp on this important piece of furniture, unaware of how much a chair can contribute to one's energy and health. Select a chair that swivels easily and offers multiple settings for seat height, tilt, arm height, and lumbar support, she suggests. Don't be hesitant to bring one home for evaluation to determine how it performs in your home office environment. "After a computer, a quality desk chair may be the largest expense in your home office setup -- and worth the investment," Lonier says.
- Provide abundant home office lighting. Poor lighting can create eyestrain and detract from your enjoyment, and productivity, in your home office. Your aim should be to create multiple sources of light so that no glare is created on your computer screen(s) or other work surfaces. "Indirect and natural light is often softer and less demanding on the eyes," Lonier says. If your work requires accurate color, consider investing in color-balanced lighting fixtures, such as those by Ott-Lite.
- Position your peripherals carefully. Give careful thought to the placement of your computer peripherals -- printer, scanner, label maker, etc. -- as well as equipment such as phone and fax machines. Some home-based business owners like to have all required machines within easy reach. Others prefer a less cluttered workspace, and enjoy the momentary exercise that comes from retrieving a computer printout on the other side of the room.
- Establish optimum space for home office storage and files. "Since the paperless office is still a dream for most home-based business owners, it's important to plan for adequate storage in your home office," Lonier says. Files used most frequently should be within easy access; others can be stored in more remote locations or even off-site. Establish regular sessions to purge outdated files and contain clutter to maintain an effective home office work environment.
As your business grows and changes, your home office needs will likely evolve, too. "Remain sensitive to issues of layout and access in your home office, and don't be hesitant to experiment and modify the location of furniture or equipment," Lonier says. "Often a simple shift can bring increased ease and productivity. Or consider what some home-based entrepreneurs do every few years: Rearrange your office to create a fresh perspective on your work environment. With a little planning, you can create a home office that invisibly supports your entrepreneurial efforts every working day."
Dig Deeper: How to Switch to a Paperless Office
How to Design a Home Office: Recommended Resources
Herman Miller
http://www.hermanmiller.com
Furniture manufacturer of the iconic Aeron desk chair and other quality workplace furniture.
Ott-Lite Technology
http://www.ottlite.com/
Creator of natural lighting lamps.
Workspaces
http://www.workspaces.com/
Contemporary home office furniture.
Office Chair Advice
http://www.officechairadvice.com
Advice, tips, and reviews on office seating.
The Telework Advisory Group
http://www.workingfromanywhere.org/news/pr021609.html
This group provides research and resources about telework sponsored by World at Work, an organization that is committed to advancing the growth and success of work independent of location.
