When you started working for yourself at home did you carefully consider your office space or merely set up shop at the nearest flat surface? If you are still in the process of outfitting your home office, here are a few essentials to consider:
Desk and Comfortable Chair
It would hardly be a home office without a desk, would it? But if you are tempted to throw tradition to the wind and work from a comfy couch, keep in mind that desks serve the purpose of allowing you to sit in a healthy, ergonomic position while keeping the items you need close at hand.
In “The Importance of Being Ergonomic: When Office Chairs Wreak Havoc,” Wall Street Journal Blogger Christina Brinkley discovered that most desks are still made to accommodate a man of average height – a specification standardized in the 1940’s! Don’t scrimp on a desk purchase because you will be spending a lot of time there. One alternative for the office on a limited budget is to buy a desk secondhand. Not only is it cheaper, used furniture is also more eco-friendly.
Desk chairs can present the same problem. If you are like many small business owners, you spend more time in your desk chair than on your couch or in your bed. To make sure you’re using a chair that fits your body and your work style, check out this post by the Ergo Chair Depot Blog on Measuring Yourself for an Office Chair.
Multipurpose Print/Fax/Copier/Scanner
Sure you can run out to the local copy shop to print, fax or copy, but why waste time and money that could otherwise stay in your business? Sure, a fax machine might seem antiquated in the digital age, but chances are some of your clients will still like to do business the old fashioned way, especially when it comes to paperwork. While you will likely need a multipurpose machine in the day to day running of your business, keep in mind these 17 Tips for Greener Business Print Jobs so that you operate in the eco-friendliest way possible. In the interest of saving paper, also check out FaxCompare.com to easily compare and contrast the most popular online fax services.
Storage
Filing cabinets, bookshelves and office supply storage are all necessary parts of the modern home office, but these places are also potential pitfalls when it comes to getting and staying organized. According to the Organized with Style blog the average business person squanders three weeks per year searching for items in their office. Clearly, it pays to get organized and stay organized. Check out more tips from blogs like Organized with Style and Unclutterer to learn how.
Scratch Paper or a White Board
In today’s increasingly wired world, it’s tempting to do everything on the computer – from jotting down “eureka!” moments to typing up the grocery list. But sometimes your brain could use a break from the computer or you just aren’t in a position where you can type. From keeping a paper to-do list to using a white board to visualize long term goals, it’s always a good idea to think outside the computer-sized box once in awhile. For the office designer on a budget, check out Kevin Kelly’s tips on how to create your own white board.
Personalization
Forbes recently ran an article titled “What CEO’s Love to Keep in their Offices.” Now that you are the CEO, administrative assistant, and chief bottle washer of your own business, it’s time to realize your own dreams of a personalized office. Though you may not be able to afford an executive bathroom or an antique diamond scale (not yet at least!) you will likely find that personal touches help you keep in touch with your inspiration and creativity.
Looking for inspiration for your ideal home office setup? Whether you are trying to maximize a tiny space or decide how to best design an entire room there is probably something on one of the sites below that will pique your interest:
- Unclutterer on Creating a Minimalist Workspace
- Small Space Style Blog
- Top 96 Kick Ass Home Office Setups from NerdBusiness.com
Outright is secure.
What do you think?
What are your home office essentials?
What items can't you live without in your home office?
2
Light: either sunlight or heavy indoor lighting.
Table/desk: I've tried working without one and it's near impossible.
My ipod dock: One of the best parts of my job is listening to whatever music I want, whenever I want, as loud as I want!
A larger bookshelf and more egromatic chair are on my home office wishlist.
Posted May 9, 2010 2:47:20 PM by: Leslie A. Joy
2
A view of my gorgeous backyard, fresh hot coffee and my iPod.
Posted May 12, 2010 4:02:17 PM by: Linda Sanchez, SanAndCo
2
Home Office Essentials:
1. A Locking Door. To keep my wife and kids out.
2. Headphones. To keep my wife and kids out.
Posted May 18, 2010 5:30:27 PM by: Dave Dirt Kustom Web Design
2
My coffee cup warmer, pandora radio, and backyard patio. Caffeine, music and sunshine are the perfect combination for a creative and productive days work.
Posted May 18, 2010 7:09:35 PM by: Box it Design
1
Music and I'm really jonesing for the new Sonos ZonePlayer S5 which plays music wirelessly, any where in your home (or I suppose anywhere for that matter) via your iPhone / iTouch as a remote. FINALLY a music system that plays what I want, where I want, when I want, with the only device needed being the one that's already in my pocket!
Posted Apr 20, 2010 10:10:14 AM by: Paul O'Brien - Outright
Responded Apr 20, 2010 12:06:07 PM by: Jennifer Escalona