Creating a Functional Workspace in Your Home

Whether you're a stay-at-home mom working between household duties, an entrepreneur looking for success without the high overhead, or an executive who occasionally works from home, the home office is where it all happens. There are a number of things to consider when setting up a work space in your home. From small items such as paper clips and pencils, to large items like a computer and copy machine, all the details need to be included in the development of your workspace.

The Desk
Your writing desk is the mainstay of your workspace. This is where much of your work will be done and where a lot of your time will be spent. Before choosing an appropriate desk for your home workspace, take into account the nature of your job.

If you will be working from home full-time, then you will definitely require a computer, a phone, a fax machine and probably a photocopier. The size and arrangement of your desk should provide you enough space for these necessary items. To save space, you may opt for a phone that doubles as a fax machine or a fax that also serves as a copier.

Many home office desks offer storage space beneath the desktop for your CPU and printer, so your monitor is the only thing that takes up room on top. This frees up the maximum amount of desktop space and leaves you with plenty of room to work.

Desktop Organization
Even though it's a home office, it's important to keep your desk organized and clutter-free. Make the most of your desktop space with judicious placement of your equipment and office supplies.

A desk set helps organize your workspace by providing necessary tools that you may have taken for granted in the corporate world. Letter trays keep documents at your fingertips and tidy. A pen stand ensures you are never at a loss for a pen while taking a message or an important note.

Writing Desk Accessories
Other organizational tools such as filing cabinets, storage shelves and paper trays will keep your workspace effective and attractive. Creating a separate environment for work ensures that you can focus on your job without caving in to recreational temptations.

Whether you will be working from home full-time or just every once in a while, it's important to make your home office an inviting place where you won't mind spending time.