| DEPARTMENTS |
|
|
|
|
| RESOURCES |
|
|
|
 |
| COMPANY INFO |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 | |
|
Locating Your Home Office
Are you planning to start your own business or telecommute? Do you need a place to pay bills and organize your home? Do you bring work home with you at night? Or, do you just need a place to put the computer?
About one-third of all U.S. households have some sort of home office. If you’re among them, how much thought went into your office’s location? Does it work for you? Could it work better? Home offices can be located in the attic, garage, family room, bedroom, basement, hallway, closet, kitchen, or even living room. Locating your home office, or relocating it, depends on needs and use.
Think before acting
How do your determine which space will work for you? Think forward a bit and answer the following questions:- Who’s going to use the office? How many people?
- At what time of day?
- For what? What tasks will they do?
- Who else is home at this time?
- What impact will household traffic have?
- What impact will household and outside noise have?
- Will clients, distributors or suppliers visit?
- How much equipment do I have? How many and what kind of computer (laptop or desktop), monitor, printer, fax machine, etc. do I have?
- How much storage do I need for books, files, inventory, etc.? (This will determine how many drawers, shelves and files you need.)
- What are the utility requirements? Does the space meet these requirements and if not, can you add more outlets, etc.?
- Is there enough ventilation to keep the temperature constant?
- How many phone and Internet lines do I need?
- What are the lighting requirements? Is there natural daylight and ambient lighting? Can I add lighting?
- Special needs: What size workspace do I need? (A standard desk is about 60 inches wide by 30 inches deep by 28 inches high.) Do I need more horizontal surfaces because I have large documents or multiple documents laid out in front of me? Do I need a workshop? Do I need a meeting table? Do I need a second desk? Chairs?
Household management
The answers will simplify your location decision. For example, if you plan to use your office only for general household management—bill paying, phone messages and personal email—you’ll want a place that is accessible, where you can maintain a message center and a computer, and where you can store files and bills when not in use. A location in the kitchen, entry or hallway will work. If multiple family members use the computer, make sure the bills and files are in a place they cannot be easily disturbed.
Family computer
If you need a place to put the one computer the family shares for homework, games, Internet access, and email, consider putting the office in a common area like the family room. This enables you to easily supervise and assist children while you’re relaxing. Since family rooms get a lot of use; i.e., high traffic, this location is good as long as users don’t require privacy or quiet.
Bringing work home
If you bring work home with you at night, you’re likely to want a quiet place to complete your work. If other family members are also home, it’s best to have a separate room where you can shut the doors and block out noise. A spare bedroom, attic or basement room can be converted into a cozy quiet space for you to unwind and finish up those last items of the day.
Home business or telecommute
If you run a business from home or telecommute, your needs will be the most demanding. It’s best to have a quiet dedicated space, away from the distractions of daily household activities, a place where you’ll feel like you’ve “gone to work.” If other family members are home during your business hours, consider locating your office away from them in a spare bedroom, attic, basement, or garage. A solid door (rather than a hollow one) will help keep out noise. If you’re the only one home, think about a closet, hallway or living room space. But make sure you’re able to close the doors to your space so you’re not reminded of work when you stop! As well, closing the doors will help prevent misplacing important documents.
If you have clients, suppliers or employees visiting the office, consider a space that has or allows for a private entrance. Basements, garages and new additions are typically easiest for adding a new entrance. Alternatively, the dining room can serve as a meeting space or conference room. If so and if possible, locate the dining room near an entrance and locate your office near the dining room.
If you carry inventory for your business, you may want your office in the basement or garage, close to your inventory. Make sure you have adequate light, heat and ventilation. And consider choosing impact resistant and washable furniture.
One office, two people
If there are two or more of you using the space, consider adding a second work area. (Sharing a single work area can be tough, as it—ideally—requires each of you to keep the desktop clean.) In this case you’ll need an office location big enough for two. Again, a dedicated room such as a spare bedroom is best.
Whatever requirements you have for your home office, take the time to plan accordingly. Select a space that has enough room for the equipment, storage and work surface you need. Make sure there is adequate ventilation, lighting and utilities. Your reward will be a space that fits you, best allows you to "get work done", and—particularly if you can close the doors—preserves the boundary between work and family.
| | |
|
