Whether you work from home or just want somewhere to escape, your home office is your sanctuary. One of the biggest mistakes people make is to ignore the room where they make important financial decisions and answer e-mail.
How does your home office stack up? Are your decision-making skills impacted after spending a few hours at a desk that’s too high or in an office chair that gives you a bad back? Does that pile of filing keep getting bigger because the file drawer is broken again?
Office workers often complain about the poor equipment designated to them at work yet few treat themselves any better at home. If you want to do your best work, you need to provide yourself with an environment that makes you feel good. That means a comfortable office.
If your home office is also a space that other people visit, whether they are friends or business associates, it’s also nice to make it a space you can be proud of. Your style of furniture says a lot about you. Do you like the sleek contemporary look or are traditional classic lines more your style?
If the thought of a new home office has you searching the Internet for tax deduction information, it’s time to start taking some measurements and making lists of the things you’ll need.
“The most essential pieces of furniture are a desk with a drawer and keyboard extension, a file cabinet, a bookcase and a hutch for the desk if you’re in need of storage,” said Roya Azimzadeh, merchandise manager at Scan Design in Lynnwood.
You may want to consider additional items such as lighting or more storage. Before you shop, create a sketch of your home office space, complete with measurements.
Don’t forget to note the location of windows, doors and outlets. Your sketch can help salespeople or design professionals determine whether your chosen pieces will fit in the space you have in mind.
You can also go to www.scandesign.com to use the free space planner software.
This allows you to enter the dimensions of your room, choose a room type then drag and drop furniture silhouettes into place to see how everything can fit together.
Central to any office setup is the desk. Select a style to complement your decor and personality. Azimzadeh notes that cherry and teak continue to be popular choices. Dark finishes like espresso and venge are currently very hot. Glass is waning in popularity.
You know what styles and finishes you like, so it’s time to choose a retailer. Ideally, select a quality retailer that specializes in your favorite furniture style. For example, if you like sleek, contemporary, cutting-edge furniture, visit a company like Scan Design.
You must test the desk for comfort, so never purchase any desk that you first can’t sit at and try out. You may also want to avoid office supply stores. Remember that your awful desk at work likely came from an office supply store. Those types of products are made for affordability rather than comfort.
Once you’re out shopping and find a model you like, make sure it has plenty of surface space to spread out your work. Nothing is worse than being cramped. Bigger, in this case, is better. Some desks are angled with an additional work area. These are ideal if you have several computer peripherals to house.
Make sure both the desk and the keyboard extension are at a height comfortable for your hands. If there is no keyboard extension on the desk, be sure there’s room enough on the desk’s surface to easily move the keyboard out of the way when it’s not in use.
Even more important than your desk is a good-quality office chair. Back pain from sitting in an uncomfortable or poorly positioned chair has contributed significantly to time off work and lost wages, according to the Department of Labor. Rather than become a statistic, select a chair that is adjustable and comfortable. If you can only splurge on one item in your home office, make it this one.
It’s important to make sure your office chair meets your ergonomic needs. More simply put, you should be able to work from it for long periods of time without discomfort.
The height must be adjustable so you have your feet flat on the floor, lower legs vertical and upper legs horizontal. Having a chair with a hydraulic lift feature can make adjustments easier.
Your chair should offer lumbar or lower back support. Adjustable lumbar support is ideal but not necessary. As long as the chair comfortably supports your lower back it is suitable. The chair should have a tilt mechanism so you can lean back in comfort and adjustable armrests are best. The chair’s swivel should be free and easy.
The material your chair is made of also makes a big difference to your comfort. If you like the look of leather, buy real leather. Imitation leather can trap heat and cause sweating and irritation. Breathable cloth is the ideal choice.
Also make sure there is enough padding for comfort, because you’ll likely be spending a lot of time on that chair.
Now you have the two most important furniture items for your office. Anything else is up to you. Most people have some kind of file cabinet or file drawer. It really depends on how many documents you plan to store.
Most home offices require at least three drawers to separate household documents from personal papers.
The main thing to keep in mind is that you want a filing system that is easy to access; otherwise you may find documents piling up as you avoid putting them away.
“If you are purchasing a file cabinet, you want to make sure the glides are strong enough for files and drawers open easily,” Azimzadeh said.
Filing cabinets aren’t ugly metal monoliths anymore. They come in many different woods and finishes, so you should be able to find one to match your desk.
Depending on your needs, you can choose a standard drawer design, or you might want go for something unique. Look at credenzas or even an ottoman with hidden file storage. Take measurements of file holders and books before you leave home, and take a measuring tape with you.
Most people have additional computer equipment they need to house. For these, a hutch, credenza or shelves can suffice. You’ll want to be sure shelves are tall enough to allow for changing ink on printers or opening scanners. Also make sure the surfaces are wide enough and strong enough to safely hold your equipment.
Bookshelves are a plus in any office. Not only can they hold your books, they are perfect for storing file folders and ledgers.
Some bookshelves have added cupboard space suitable for storing CDs and DVDs.
Lighting is another important element of your home office. Proper lighting is not only important for your eyes; it can also set a comfortable mood for your room. No one wants to work with a stark overhead fixture glaring down on the desk.
A good desk lamp is a necessity. Consider adding a floor lamp as well. These should be adjustable so they don’t shine on your monitor screen.
If you have room, you may want to add a recliner to your office so you’ll have a place to sit back and read your snail mail or just take a quick nap. You could also add a small sleeper sofa and let your office double as a guest room. The possibilities are endless.
Once your furniture is purchased, make sure to file those receipts in your new filing cabinet and talk to your tax professional. If your home office is for a home business, your furniture purchases may be tax deductible.
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