British Consulate Article
Where Should Your Home Office Be Located within Your Home?
When you decide to create your home office, one of the most important decisions you will have to make is where you want your home office to be located at within your home. You can’t expect to get much work done if you decide to create your home office in the corner of your den, or by sitting your laptop on your kitchen table and declaring the room off limits while you are there. You should choose a room in your home that is the farthest away from distractions, but that still has the space you need. You want this room to have adequate lighting, hookups for your internet connection, telephone, etc., and to be a room that you can be happy spending time in. If you build your home office in a room that you hate, you aren’t likely to use it for long.
There are many spaces within your home that can easily be transformed into a terrific home office space. Your basement, deck, garage, or even your utility room can be turned into office space, if you need to do so. The ideal situation of course would be a spare bedroom, but if you don’t have one, nor are inclined to build one, then one of the above would be the best option.
Space should also be considered when deciding what room to make your home office. If you will be the only one working in the room, and if you won’t be entertaining customers or guests, then you likely won’t require a lot of space, maybe just enough room for a desk and a few filing cabinets. However, if you will have customers coming into the home, or will at some point have other employees working besides yourself, then you will need some extra space.
If you are an aspiring internet marketer, or freelance writer, then you can get by with just a simple office setup. All you need is a decent computer, if you don’t already have one, an internet connection, a telephone (depending on the type of work you do, this may not be an essential), and maybe a fax machine. This is great for someone who has a full-time job, but also works from home in their spare time.
If you are going to be starting a business that will require additional staff, or customer or clients coming to your home, then you will need to expand your idea of a home office. You will need enough space to accommodate your desk, computer, etc., as well as space for the extra employees, and some extra furniture for your clients, sofas, comfortable chairs, etc. You may need some extra outlets in this room as well.
You will also need to think about the type of work that you are planning to do. For example, if you will be making food, then you will have different requirements and will need space for extra equipment. If you are working online, or doing something like data entry or website creation, then you will be able to get by with meager space. Just keep in mind that if you are going to be working in a small space, you will need to design and decorate the room so as not to be drab and boring. Make use of your windows, and try some design tips that can make the room seem larger than it really is.
When you decide to create your own at home workspace, keep in mind your own personal preferences, and any special requirements you may have. If you aren’t happy with the space, then you are wasting your time, money, and effort in creating it.
