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Setting Up Your First Home Office

Goodbye Cubicle, Hello Creative Workspace

You've identified your business niche, verified that your home is properly zoned for a home-based business, and secured the necessary financial resources; the groundwork has been laid. Now it's time to "build from the ground up" and assemble your home office space.

Designing your workspace is a balance between practicality and creativity. While it's in the best interest of your business to create an environment that conveys a professional image to your clientele, it's in your own best interest to create an office that not only inspires you but that enhances your efficiency and productivity in both a physically and mentally beneficial manner.

As entire books have been written about how to set up your home office, this list is far from complete. We would simply encourage you to give equal consideration to all of the following aspects that are associated with your home-based workspace.

• Access - If your customers need to come to your office, think about how they'll enter and exit the premises. Do they need to walk through your main living quarters, past the dirty dishes in the kitchen sink, and over the toys that your children left on the floor of the entryway? The ideal situation would be to establish your office in a part of your house that has its own entrance or at least that is more conveniently located than the rear of the building.
• Communication Lines - If possible, have separate business lines installed for communication via telephone, fax, and/or email. In this day and age of instant messaging, you might also want to obtain high-speed internet access. A cordless telephone will allow you to move freely around the space and a cell phone and/or pager will keep you linked to your business while you're out of the office.
• Layout - Think effective and efficient. When kitchen designers create a floor plan, they often refer to a work triangle that incorporates the sink, refrigerator, and stovetop. Carry such an idea into your office workspace. Your most productive work triangle might include your desktop, filing cabinet, and fax machine; for someone else it might be his or her computer, telephone, and date book. Arrange items in a manner that creates the greatest amount of efficiency with the least amount of wasted movement and/or time.
• Office Equipment - Based on your own specific business needs, you might decide that a fax machine is a luxury that you really don't need (at least initially). A photocopier might be critical though. Only you can prioritize your need for various office electronics. If you're tight on space you can purchase multitasking equipment such as a combination fax/photocopier/printer, but be forewarned that when one component "breaks down," there's a possibility that none of the other features will work. Don't forget about a stereo system; nothing fancy, just something to entertain yourself as well as to relax your customers.
• Office Furniture - Again, think effective, efficient, and this time include ergonomically correct. If you're going to be spending long hours sitting in your chair at your office desk (and even if you're not), don't cut corners on these critical comfort zones. If your job will require large work surfaces, perhaps a conference desk will best fit into your office and replace the traditional desk. If you'll be consulting with customers in your office, choose seating pieces that will ease this process; a round table with chairs, a loveseat, etc…whatever your space and needs dictate. Again, arrange the furniture in a manner that allows you to move about with the least amount of extra movement (e.g., position often-used filing cabinets near your desk).
• Personal Items - It's hard to be productive in a "sterile" environment, so feel free to add a touch of your personality to your workspace. While it might not be appropriate to display your treasured sculpture of the nude couple in an embrace, a few family pictures can convey a sense of just who you are to your visiting clientele or, if your customers don't come to your home, at least such photos will make your office feel more livable to you. Keep the clutter to a minimum, but add those items that have an uplifting effect on you. Finally, don't be afraid to add splashes of color to your office space. If it's green walls or a red and yellow area rug that you desire, go for it as long as it isn't visually distracting. A home office can, and should, look as good, if not better than, the other rooms in your house.
• Privacy - Situate your office in an area of your home that provides maximum privacy from family activities. This not only minimizes distracting noise levels, but it will also potentially cut down on the chances that family and friends will be tempted to drop in unexpectedly. If you have a door to your office, don't hesitate to keep it closed during your business hours. It's also a good idea to close it at the end of the day so that you won't be tempted to take care of those few lingering items sitting in your in-box. If you're "sharing space" with part of the living quarters of your home, a dividing screen and a few tall plants can work miracles in defining your work zone and providing a sense of privacy.
• Storage - If need be, go vertical. Use stacking shelves, bookcases, and/or tall filing cabinets. Turn any closet(s) in the room into a storage area with floor to ceiling shelves or hide your filing cabinets, etc behind the closed doors. Don't forget about storage units for your main working area. Buy storage items to consolidate and/or hide those loose paper clips, reams of paper, and all of the other office "dust bunnies" that seem to multiply and clutter your work space. The more storage that you have, the better your chances at keeping your office looking neat and professional, as well as reducing the time that you'll waste looking for certain items.

Regardless if you're a photographer that requires more darkroom space than office space or if you're a pet-sitter that simply needs an answering machine, date book, and never-ending supply of dog biscuits, your work zone can have a tremendous impact on the success of your business. Plan accordingly and your home office will seem more like an adult play space than a professional's workspace. Fun and functional truly are possible under the same roof.

Good luck finding the perfect home business opportunity!

PS - We'd like to hear from you!
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