Knowing how to set up your home office takes some planning. The key is to make it a true work space. If it has too much of a home feel, it can distract you from your work. You will want to figure out how much space you need and plan accordingly. There are several areas that need to be considered before you begin. These include lighting, storage, furniture, equipment, and comfort.
Pick Your Space
Start by picking the space you wish to make into the office. This area should have plenty of lighting and be comfortable. Lighter areas generally work better because they promote staying awake. Working in solitude can be a drain that is increased by dark spaces. Plenty of lighting also makes it easier to read, reducing strain on the eyes.
Clear non-work related items from the work space. While the space does not necessarily need to be a separate room, but the space should be free of household distractions. For example, unless the work includes monitoring the television, you should not include one in the layout. Gaming consoles and other distracting devices are best moved to another area of the house.
Plan Your Layout
Measure the space and begin planning the layout. By taking measurements, you can figure out how big the desk and other furniture should be. You need enough space to work, but it does have to fit in the space you have allotted. You will also want to note where the outlets are located and plan equipment placement accordingly. Do not forget to set an area for storage, filing, and office products.
The furniture and equipment should be comfortable to use. If the office chair is uncomfortable, you will not want to work as much. If the desk is too small, you will feel cramped and become frustrated. To keep from creating a lot of clutter, you should have filing boxes or cabinets available to organize your work.
Optimize and Organize
Expect to make adjustments after you begin working. It is really only after you begin using the space that you will find the best setup. Be prepared to adjust the location of the furniture and other items to make the work space more conducive to your personal work style. If the space is too cramped, you may consider moving storage into another room or closet. This will help produce the most efficient and comfortable work space.
The final step is organization. This includes putting together a filing system and setting a daily schedule. Working from home can be fun, but can also take some time to get used to. Having regular hours helps set expectations for you, your clients, and friends. It also lets people know that you are serious about working from home. Having a well-organized filing system helps keep the clutter from collecting.
When you understand how to set up your home office, you will be able to put together a plan that ensures efficiency and comfort as you work. The planning stage is by far the most important. When finished, the environment should be free from distractions, well organized, and have plenty of lighting.
When setting up your home office, don’t forget to consider the equipment you might need like a slide scanner or a printer. If you plan to scan more than just slides you can also consider a photo scanner or a multifunctional printer. These items can take up a lot of desk space so be sure to gather up product dimensions for your planning stage.
