by Todd Pheifer

Created on: May 11, 2009

Increasingly, people are working from home as data-driven businesses spring up in a variety of industries. In addition, companies are having more of their employees work from home as it can save cost on facilities, furniture, storage, and supplies. Granted, there are ways to set up a home office. It can seem like a fun activity that will ultimately save a lot of money. However, there are also ways to make it frustrating and expensive. Therefore, here are a few thoughts on how to effectively set up a home office.

Let the work dictate furniture

The challenge that some people face is that the home office can crowd the rest of the living spaces in the home. Too often people make the mistake of buying furniture that must be crammed into a space that is not large enough for their needs. In many ways, people should let the work drive the furniture that is bought. In other words, people may have to figure out their work style and flow before they actually purchase furniture and create a space. For example, people may find themselves working primarily from a laptop at the kitchen table, as opposed to needing a dedicated desk. It is possible that elements of the home office can be stored in various places around the house, rather than disrupting everything else in order to make sure that all the office pieces are together in one spot.

Technological tools

In terms of priority, it is often best to start with elements of technology. While it may be simpler to go shopping for office supplies, getting set up with technology can take some time and it may be the most crucial piece of working at home. Sometimes people have to make appointments in order to get phone or Internet service hooked up. In addition, a set appointment may only mean that a person is coming in a specified window of time. Also, they may take hours to actually get things hooked up. Therefore, it is important that people have a backup plan or at least budget some time for technology when setting up.

Cost cutting

Finally, people have to be aware that office supplies can be expensive if not managed well. Some people may be used to going to the supply closet at work and simply grabbing the things that they need. Instead, people should approach office supplies like they approach furniture. Rather than going out and buying a bunch of things, they should see what is needed as they go along. This may cause a person to place a few more orders or take a few more trips to the store in the initial stages, but in the long run it may be more cost effective than buying a bunch of supplies that sit unused.

Overall, the home office can be an effective place to work, but people should plan carefully and execute with wisdom. Rather than simply going out and buying, people should have a sense of where they want their office, how their work flow might go, and what things will allow them to stay on task. The weakness of the home office is that people can romanticize the experience and it can also be a major distraction. Before embarking on this environment, people should be realistic and approach the setup with objectivity and patience.

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