Design the Home Office for Work

American workers are escaping the corporate confines. But often they retreat to a home office that is wedged into a corner of the living room, crammed into a closet, or spread atop the dining room table. Not only is such an arrangement poor utilization of workspace, it often stifles the senses.
Personal values and boundaries are essential to operating a successful home office. A person who cherishes open spaces cannot be crammed into a closet. A person who needs silence to concentrate cannot work amid children and chaos.

Create boundaries and decide what's needed to put the mind in the right frame to work successfully. When a person arrives at the traditional office in the morning, they've already transitioned from home to office. That same boundary needs to be established in the home office setting by creating a dedicated workspace. This also helps family and friends understand and respect the "office" that's been created.

Location is key when creating a home office. Consider these points:

• Establish boundaries. This is a place of business, not a hobby shop. Decide where in the home a home office would be most functional, and set up rules about respecting its space.



• Privacy and deductibility are important. A dedicated room -- as opposed to a corner in the living room or bedroom -- provides quiet in a busy household, and often meets IRS requirements for home office deductibility (as long as the office doesn't serve another purpose after hours). And always consult a tax professional.



• Avoid the chaos. Set up the office away from the hustle and chaos of home or family life. The relative quiet will help workers focus on tasks at hand.



• See the light. Make certain to have plenty of light, either from windows or lamps.



• See the screen. Position the desk and computer terminal so that glare from windows or lamps don't inhibit the view of the screen. Buy a screen shield to cut incessant glare.



• Keep down the heat. Plenty of ventilation and ceiling fans will help alleviate heat from computers, printers and long work days, and make for more comfortable working conditions.



• Stay focused. If the office shares space in another room, position the desk toward a wall or behind a portable blind or Japanese shoji screen so household activity or the television don't distract attention.



• Stay stimulated. If working in a dedicated home office, where other distractions will be minimized, position the desk to provide outside views to stimulate the mind.

Realizing where a home office is in the home and how it interacts with daily life can make the difference between success and failure in the new workplace. Strive for SOHO success.

Jeff Zbar, the ChiefHomeOfficer.com, is a speaker, writer and expert on alternative officing. He is the author of Teleworking & Telecommuting: Strategies for Remote Workers and Their Managers (Made E-Z Products, 2002); Safe@Home: Seven Keys to Home Office Security (FirstPublish 2001) and Your Profitable Home Business (on CD-ROM from Made E-Z Products). Visit his Web site to subscribe to Home Office Success Stories, his free electronic magazine on home business and teleworking.