Preparing an Efficient Home Office

Working from home can be an excellent idea for many people. Not having to deal with the morning commute or with interruptions from other workers can mean that you have more time to work and that you work more efficiently. Reducing stress and working in a home environment can make people more productive.

There are various ways that you can work from home. You could freelance, for example, or become self-employed. However, if you prefer to depend on a steadier income, then many office jobs now offer the option of telecommuting, or flexible working time that allows you to split your working hours between home and office.

Working in the home can be difficult though, particularly if you don't have a dedicated home office space. There are many distractions at home, including the TV, housework and even children. If you don't have an efficient home office space, then working from home might not turn out quite as well as you expected.

This article discusses how to design an efficient home office, so that you'll have the kind of working environment that you need to focus and to be productive. If you're thinking about working from home, then here's all you need to know about preparing a good work space.

The Place...

If at all possible you should have a separate room to work from, that will allow you to close the door and shut yourself away. This not only allows you to concentrate better, but also makes a clear physical boundary between your home and your office life. Mentally, stepping through that office door prepares you for work.

For some people it's not possible to have a separate home office. In this case, make sure that you do have a dedicated work space, and that it's somewhere quiet and relaxing, away from distractions. A corner of a dining room or bedroom is often a good working environment, whilst kitchens and living rooms tend to be busier and more filled with both noise and distractions.

The Preparation...

There are a few things that you're going to need to prepare your office. You will need a decent computer, though your company may provide you with one. You will also need to get hold of any office supplies that you regularly use, as well as copies of software or files that are necessary for your job.

In terms of furniture, a desk, a comfortable chair and maybe a filing cabinet or some shelves should be more than enough for a simple office.

The major thing that you're going to need to think about is an internet connection. You'll need a fast and reliable connection, which probably means getting a broadband plan. There are a couple of ways of doing this. Combination phone and broadband plans do tend to be the cheapest option, so you might want to look into these first.

LLU has opened up more options for home internet and phone use. What is LLU? Local Loop Unbundling means that an internet company rent phone lines from BT and puts its own equipment in local exchanges, this way you can get your phone and internet services from different companies that are a lot faster than the standard connection. LLU broadband is cheaper than fibre optic broadband so it is definitely worth checking out.

The Work...

One of the biggest problems that many people encounter when they start to work from home is that they often find it difficult to balance their work and their private life. Unlike working from an office, there's little difference between work and play, and this means that people often find themselves working odd hours, or becoming somewhat anti-social. There are things that you can do that will ease this balance though.

Firstly, do try to have a regular work schedule. If you're not a morning person, then by all means work from ten until six, but try to set yourself certain hours when you'll be working and hours when you won't. Apart from anything else, keeping normal work hours will make it easier to contact clients, or to find things like technical help if you need it.

Make sure that you don't become isolated. Working from home, it's easy to go for days without seeing people. This can actually make you less productive, and getting away from your desk is good for you. Try to arrange some kind of schedule where you indulge your hobbies, for example. Another excellent idea is to check out local meet ups for freelancers or home workers. Many towns have a company that offers such meet up services, and even training programmes or guest speakers.

The Ideal Office...

There really is no such thing as the ideal home office, which is part of why working from home can be so nice, since you can design your office to your work needs and habits. However, there are some general things that we can say about a good home office.

Firstly, a good office is calm, tidy and relaxing. This means having storage for files and papers, and being away from the TV or the children. A good office should also be somewhat separated from the rest of the house, even if it's not in another room. You should be able to hide your work away so it doesn't distract you from relaxation, as well as to hide away distractions so that they don't distract you from work.

Finally, the ideal office is functional. You might think that working from a couch or even from bed is wonderful, but the truth is that you'll probably find after a few hours that you get back ache. A good office is one where you can work comfortably, and therefore be at your most effective.

A good home office really can make the difference between a good and a bad home working experience. Mentally, having a dedicated work space just makes it easier to deal with combining work and private life. Your office should be yours, and should reflect your work. However, it should also be a place that makes you more productive.

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