Whether you work at home or just need a well-organized spot to write bills and file important documents, you can use these guidelines to create the perfect home office:
- Define the room's function.
- List your office needs.
- Create a productive and comfortable workplace.
- Plan for storage.
- Design for personal comfort and style.
Define the Room's Function Decide what activities and tasks will take place in your new workspace. This information is useful in determining how large the space will be.
List Your Office Needs
After you define the function of the office, list the equipment needed to complete these duties. Take into consideration how much desk space you need, how many chairs , what kind of equipment (printers, computers, etc.) and lighting.
Office Design
To create a productive and comfortable workplace, use your space wisely. Here are a few valuable space-planning tips:
- Locate your desk so that you are facing the door and have immediate eye contact with anyone that enters.
- When you are seated, the file cabinet, telephone/fax machine and computer should be easy to reach.
- If you have a window in your office, place the back of your computer screen at a 45-degree angle to reduce glare on the screen.
- Plan to have task lighting for reading and writing in addition to plenty of general lighting in the room.
- Be sure that you have enough power in the room to operate all of your equipment . If you have an older home, call an electrician to check your electrical system.
- To keep cords neat and orderly, purchase covers designed to house multiple wires and cables.
- You may need more than telephone line--one for the phone, one for the fax and a separate line for your computer modem.
- Plan for plenty of work surface. A desk should be at least 24 inches deep and allow a minimum of 36 inches of width.
Plan for Storage
No matter how organized you are, you always need more room than you think for paper , pens, research materials, etc., so be sure your plan includes storage space.
If you have limited space for your office, put some filing cabinets in a nearby hall closet. This still provides easy access and won't take up valuable work area .
Design for Personal Comfort and Style
The most important part of home offices is a good chair. Shop for a comfortable one with rollers which increases mobility. They are available with a wide variety of arm and back adjustments for more comfortable sitting and to reduce fatigue and physical problems. If possible, choose a style and upholstery that complements the room, but comfort and support is always is essential.
Look for a desk that is suitable for a computer and its components. There are many options including adjustable keyboards and mouse trays. You may want to add a footrest , too. To reduce the chance of headaches, use anti-reflective lamps and computer screen visors (available at your local office supply or computer store). Other items designed to increase efficiency and add style to your office include computer carts and mobile file cabinets.
Guests Michael Shannon
Architectural and Design Manager, Herman Miller /Spectrum
2215 Walnut St.
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Phone: 215-568-4103
Jolanta Urban, ASID
Interior Designer, UroDesigns Inc.
Phone: 856-691-6802
Fax: 856-696-7288
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