How to Set Up a Home Office
Posted in Productivity
Periodically, my wife points out that the name of this blog should be Ian’s Messy Desks. While I do a reasonable job of keeping organized at work, things often fall apart at home. Whether it’s a place to pay the bills and surf the internet or a place to work from home, a well-organized home office is key to being productive in the space. Not to mention, preserving marital harmony. 
Here are some key considerations for setting up a home office:
Self-awareness
Think about the office conditions where you do your best work. Is everything in one place or do you spread out your papers on a table? Where do you keep your active work—on your desk or on your hard drive, in your PDA or your briefcase? Don’t try to fit yourself into some ideal model of efficiency: build on the way you already work best.
Location
If you will be the only one using your computer or office tools, then a corner of your bedroom could work as your home office. That way, you can work there at any hour of the day. If others share the computer, putting your home office in a room that everyone can use makes sense. We have a spare room that functions as a library cum office.
Lighting
You need good task lighting to look at the papers on your desk, talk on the phone and reduce eye strain when using the computer. Just because you have flickering fluorescents at your regular job doesn’t mean they’re good for you. No windows? Invest in full-spectrum bulbs that simulate sunlight.
Look up
People with home offices forget to use the walls around their desks as space to keep their work surface clear and supplies close at hand. If you need ideas, check out displays at kitchen or bathroom retailers for storage options and inexpensive hardware. Racks sold for pot lids can be used for files or magazines; drawer dividers are as useful for paper clips, pens, and glue sticks as they are for knives, forks, and spoons.
Ergonomics
Pay attention to the relationship between your chair, computer screen, and keyboard. Keep your wrists up or rest your palms on a foam pad level with the keyboard. An fully adjustable chair is a good investment. Remember what you learned in finishing school: sit up straight with your feet flat on the floor. You’ll be surprised how much less tired you feel at the end of an hour in this position.
Wiring
Make sure your home’s wiring is adequate to accommodate office machinery and various computer hookups. Ensure you that you can use three-pronged plugs to ground your equipment. Check for electrical hazards—being especially cautious of hazards to children and pets. Check the location of outlets and jack. Stringing an extension cord from one side of your home office to the other doesn’t look professional and it poses safety risks. If your office area doesn’t have outlets, have them installed.
Accessories
Look for desktop accessories that can be reused from things you already have. Glasses can double as pencil holders, small dishes can hold paper clips and pushpins, and deeper pottery bowls can hold cords for electronics. Keep the items you use most in easy reach so you don’t waste time searching for them.
Sound
Chose a location for your office in a room with a door. This is important if you’re working with sound on your computer, you have a 24-hour fax machine, or you are working with other sound equipment. Adding carpeting or a large area rug and draperies will help absorb sound and keep your home office quieter. You will also reduce noise and distraction from outside the office.
With more people running businesses out of their home or telecommuting to their one or more days a week, the home office has to be every bit as functional and comfortable as the cube or office at work. What are your best tips for setting up a home office?
Photo credit: Arquiteta Móvel
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I want to comment on the last piece of your post about sound. I work from home too and I cherish peace and quiet. The one thing I would recommend for a home office, above anything else - especially to people who value peace - is to get a good set of noise reduction headphones. I bought the EX-29 Extreme Isolation Headphones and I wear them from after lunch until closing time - about 4 hours when I’m trying to focus on work. I don’t answer phones or anything. That is my productive work time and the headphones really help! They are comfortable and block a ton of noise. They are also a great value.