Make your home office as warm, inviting and comfortable as possible -- that way you'll want to stay until your work is done. Position your desk where it feels most accessible and has adequate room for computer equipment and storage.
Secondly, make sure your home office has good lighting -- you no longer have to succumb to the harsh glare of flourescent office lights! Natural light is ideal for promoting productivity and a sense of calm, but if your room doesn't have windows, use lighting over your desk area to save your eyes from fatigue. Track lighting that can be positioned where you need it is a cost-effective solution.
Stay organized with a variety of storage options. Utilize filing cabinets, bins and bookshelves to ensure you know where things are when you need them (no missed deadlines!) and to keep clutter off of your desk.
And, finally, pay attention to the wall color in your home office. Color has the ability to set the mood of a room, so determine what environment you work best in and the type of work you do, and choose your perfect hue. For example, to imbue energy and vibrancy, select bright shades of yellow or green; for a calmer, more sedate office space, blues and other muted tones work best.
Source: http://www.nbcchicago.com/around_town/real_estate/Make-Your-Home-Office-Work-For-You.html
Use vertical space to your advantage. The best way to reduce clutter in an office and to get papers and other items off the floor and desktop is to go up and use the walls! Add open shelving above your desk and install tall bookcases for additional storage throughout your office. Use colorful magazine files and bins to store less used items close but out of sight on your shelving.
Keep items within reach. Create a semi-circle around you when you sit at your desk within the length of your arm. Place the supplies you use most often inside this space so they will always be within reach when needed. Common items to place within your semi-circle include: phone, writing utensils, active files, notepad, calendar, and, of course, your computer.
Add color to your space. Paint your home office a relaxing color to create a tranquil work environment. Pick your favorite color, something that matches your business, or go with soft colors such as sage green or light blue to provide a sense of peace. Yellow is a great color to brighten up a smaller space.
Create file storage. Utilize a filing cabinet (or two) to store all those client files, contracts, financial documents, and "things to read" that are piled way too high on your floor. Creating a usable filing system will help you keep track of important papers. You may just be able to find those documents next time when you really need them.
Buy a comfortable chair. Many of us underestimate the time we will sit at our desk in a given day or week. Invest in a supportive and comfortable chair to ensure your good posture is protected throughout the day.
Label, Label, Label. To help you find things quickly, create labels for most items in your home office. What if you are out at a meeting and need someone to locate a specific file in your home office to bring to you? Will anyone else be able to find items in your space? Labels also help you remember where to place items when you are done using them since they allow you to define a spot for nearly everything.
Always remember that just because you work from home, that doesn't mean your office space can't be spectacular and impressive. Go ahead and wow your friends and family. Enjoy your home office space every day!
Source: http://biznik.com/articles/make-your-home-office-work-for-you
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