The process of setting up your home office takes some thought and careful planning. This is where you will be going every day to run your own personal empire. Choosing where you'll spend the majority of your day, arranging furniture and supplies, and decorating your walls should be enjoyable. And the best part is that you, and only you, get to make the decisions.
There is, of course, a bit more to the logistics of choosing a home office location than having fun and putting up pictures. First, you need to pick the right room. It may be that you have no choice, that there is only one room available. That is fine, but if you do have a choice, the important thing to remember is that you cannot have too much space. In fact, the number one complaint among the home businessperson, according to Income Opportunities magazine, is not having enough space. Ideally, you should have space for:
- Working. At a minimum, you need room for a desk, chair, computer, calculator, phone, etc.
- Storage. You will also likely need a file cabinet and room for boxes and other storage goods.
- Books and supplies. You will need space for bookshelves.
- Grunge work. You will also probably need space for assembling goods, stuffing envelopes, that sort of thing.
- Conference space. If you will be meeting with clients, you will need room for chairs or a couch, and a table.
- Other. Do you need space for employees? What about for specialized goods, a waiting area for clients, or production facilities?
To the extent that you do have some choice regarding what room you use, I recommend that you pick a space that is off the beaten path in the home; the privacy can make a big difference. On the other hand, some people like to work out of their kitchen because it is so central.
If you want a special room for your office and do not have one, you may consider converting a room for the purpose. An attic, basement, garage, or enclosed porch can be turned into a great workspace, and it need not cost a fortune. Some carpet, track lighting or a new window can make unused space useful indeed.
The final consideration when picking the right room relates to sound. As many home–based business owners have learned the hard way — barking dogs, construction, and kids playing in the street can drive you to distraction. You need a place where you can work peacefully. As such, insulating your new office may be worth the cost. To reduce street noise, weather–stripping, double–glazed windows and solid doors are good sound reduction tools. Wall–to–wall carpeting is also great for muffling interior sounds, but even an area rug will help as long as you spring for good padding.
