Whether you’re telecommuting full-time, or just want a peaceful space to pay your bills, a sensible, well-stocked home office can reduce stress and make you more productive.

Location, Location, Location

You need to place your home office in a dedicated space that is well out of household traffic patterns to provide you some peace and quiet. Consider these often under-utilized spaces as possibilities for your home office.

• Den
• Finished basement
• Remodeled attic
• Spare bedroom
• Guesthouse
• Breakfast nook
• Unused corner of a kitchen or family room

The Basics

Whichever space you select, make sure that it has the following key elements.

• Space is completely dry
• Plenty of room for all of your equipment, plus additional storage
• Multiple electrical outlets
• Phone line(s)
• Adequate ventilation
• Heating and cooling
• Bright, uniform lighting

Furnish It

Don’t skimp here. Sitting for long hours at a desk and chair that makes you uncomfortable can severely distract you, and even cause lingering health problems. Get comfortable, and put everything within easy reach.

• A desk that easily accommodates your equipment
• A fully adjustable ergonomic chair
• An adjustable desk lamp
• Shelving
• File cabinets
• Protective floor mat
• A large table to lay out and review documents
• Comfortable extra chair to accommodate visitors

Make it Yours

Personalize your space.

• Decorate it in a color that pleases and stimulates you
• Hang pictures
• Install a stereo system if you enjoy working to music

Get Equipped

Make sure you have all necessary tools for the tasks at hand.

• Computer and necessary software
• Ergonomic keyboard
• Mouse and mouse-pad or trackball
• A compatible printer
• Fax machine
• Telephone
• Scanner
• Modem
• Network Router
• Paper shredder

Stock up

Keep a good quantity of these office supplies on hand so you’re always prepared.

• Printer paper
• Personal stationary
• Photo paper
• Labels and a label-maker
• Pens
• Pencils
• Highlighters
• Marking pens
• Ink cartridges for fax machines and printers
• Canned compressed air for cleaning sensitive equipment
• Computer screen cleaning cloths
• Paper clips
• Thumbtacks
• Rubber bands
• Hanging and file folders
• Envelopes and stamps
• Sticky notes

Upgrade It

The demands of a high tech office space have changed considerably over the last few years. If you need a higher-tech space and have the resources to do a major upgrade on your home office, here are some tips you might consider.

• Install a panel upgrade to accommodate additional power requirements
• Install a wireless network to eliminate unsightly wires and holes in walls and ceilings
• Purchase a high quality surge protector and uninterruptible power source (UPS)
• Install additional outlets as you add peripherals

Secure It

After you’ve set everything up, make sure that you’re protected from accidents, invasions or theft.

• Update your home insurance
• Consider purchasing an alarm system
• Password protect any sensitive files on your computer
• Install antiviral software on your computer
• Set up a firewall on your network
• Keep a fire extinguisher handy
• Install a smoke alarm
• Lock up confidential files

[main image: California Closets]