It's fun moving into a new office. No, really, it is. We
admit lugging stuff sucks, but choosing where you're going to
be spending the majority of your day, arranging furniture and
supplies, and decorating your walls is all about a good time. And
the best part? Realizing that you, and only you, get to decide if
you're worthy of the corner office with the view.
"The great thing about home offices is, you get to have it
your way. Why would you set up a home office that replicates the
austere pain of [a corporate office]?" says Meredith Gould,
author of Working at Home: Making It Work for You (Storey
Books, $9.95, 800-441-5700), who shares her Princeton, New Jersey,
home office with her cats. "The point of having your own home
office is so you can have fun stuff, nice décor and a comfy
chair."
There is, of course, a bit more to the logistics of choosing the
proper space for your new home office, whether you're carving
out space in your existing abode or moving to a new place. Here are
things Gould suggests you consider when choosing your location:
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Electrical wiring: "Most building codes require that
electrical outlets be placed every 12 feet," says Gould.
"It's worth the money to install more outlets. I recommend
installing them above desk level so you don't have to crawl
around on the floor all the time." If your office is
relatively equipment-heavy, zone wiring places all those electrical
outlets on a separate circuit breaker--so even if you blow up your
office, you can still watch TV.
Phone lines: Gould suggests having at least two phone
lines. Make sure your phone jacks are close to electrical outlets
to support equipment that requires both.
Ventilation: "In a forced-air [heating and cooling]
system, there's usually a vent on the floor and one on the
ceiling. Don't put your equipment anywhere near them,"
advises Gould.
Lighting: First, use as much natural light as you can.
Then fill in with a mix of ambient lighting (ceiling fixtures) and
task lighting (a desk lamp). "Some people get entranced by
track lighting and recessed lighting, but it actually stinks for
work. It's too bright and too focused," Gould
explains.
Another no-no: fluorescent lighting. "It's very hard on
the eyes. If you must use fluorescent, change the bulbs from cool
to warm. They soften the light."
Another option, albeit more expensive, is a full-spectrum
lighting system, which replicates natural light. The systems are
sold in health-food stores or holistic living catalogs; Gould says
they're best for those who need to see true color.
Sound: Wall-to-wall carpeting is the best for reducing
sound, but even an area rug will help as long as you spring for
good padding. Other sound-reduction tools include
weather-stripping, double-glazed windows and solid doors.
Separate entrance: This is always a good idea if you have
clients visiting your office. And if not? "There's a real
psychological advantage to having a separate entrance. It helps
separate work from the rest of your life," says Gould. It also
creates boundaries, privacy and awareness for family members or
roommates who might otherwise interrupt your work. If a separate
entrance is impossible, invest in a separate phone line and a
partition, screen or armoire so you can "close the door"
on your office at the end of the day.