For a home office to be efficient, it needs to be functional and accessible. If you’re simply paying household bills and writing letters, you can create desk space in a corner of the kitchen, the hallway or even in the living room. The full-time home office worker, however, needs a space with a door that’s away from the rest of the action in the home, particularly if there are young children around who are prone to colouring over business reports. If you don’t have a full room available, consider using a portion of a semi-use room, such as the guest room or a portion of the basement.

Before you design your home office and purchase furniture, consider the following important points:
Ergonomics -we now know that prolonged keyboarding at the wrong height can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome and serious damage to hands and wrists. Backs can also be strained by poor seating. If you work on a computer, choose a desk with a keyboard tray or a lower return. If you’re using an existing desk, you can often turn a drawer just below the work space into a keyboard drawer. Ideally, it should be about two inches above your knees.

Chairs should be adjustable, both in height and back support. Armrests are optional, depending on the type of work you do.

Lighting - you’ll need proper lighting to ensure that your eyes don’t suffer. Natuarl light is best, but if you aren’t near a window, find a good task light for your desk, or an overhead light situated over your work area. If you use a computer, you may have to adjust your desk or computer screen to avoid glare from a window or light.

Storage - as with other parts of the home, plan for twice as much storage as you think you’ll need. You’ll probably need a file cabinet of some sort, as well as a table for your fax machine, printer, copier and other office equipment. Baskets to hold work in progress will help you stay organized, and allow you to keep your desk clear. Your desk or return should also have enough room to store office essentials, such as paper, scissors, paper clips, staplers and other necessities. You’ll probably want a small bookshelf as well, to hold reference books.

If you’ll be meeting with clients or colleagues in your home office, be careful to create a corporate look that says you mean business. Although you can add a small sofa for additional seating, consider a table and chairs if you have the space. Keep personal items to a minimum, and avoid clutter.