How to Find the Right Location for Your Home Office
The satellite office consists of a pad of paper and some pens tossed into the front seat of your SUV. Your satellite office is organized and soaring into the 21st century with all the latest technology. Let’s see. You have a calculator in the glove box, radio in the dash, a cell phone, and TomTom to help locate the next meeting. Compared to your main office at home, the satellite office is remarkable.
So, do you think maybe it is time to devote some designated area as your office? It will truly amaze you when you finally get organized in your new office. The problem is, where to start? Whether you can’t afford to rent office space, or simply don’t want the hassle. You have come to the conclusion that a home office is the best choice for you and your business.
Now that you have decided to keep your home office, you really need to consider the location and organization of your office. Hunting for a customer’s contact information next to your dirty socks probably isn’t the best idea. Searching for a couple of your business cards from under the alarm clock may not be the most efficient method available to you.
The point of having an office is to get work done. You need to find the perfect location to encourage work, facilitate projects, make phone calls, and accomplish goals. Yes, it will take time, energy, and work to get your home office up and running at its best, but it will be worth it in the end. By creating a home office environment that will work for you, you will increase productivity, make more money, and have more leisure time available at the end of the day.
Not all offices are created equal. Location is everything. You could devote an entire 100 square foot room of your home to act as your office area, if you so chose. The beautiful room could be lush with fancy hardwood floors, a fine oak desk, and a massaging office chair. An elegant chandelier may provide you the lighting for your home office. Despite these posh conditions, your home office may not provide the proper working conditions.
If this room is filled with distractions such as a radio, TV, kids running in and out, or a loud, clunky dryer nearby, your extravagant office will not provide you the adequate work area that you need to function at your prime abilities and productivity. On the other hand, a quaint home office in the corner of a quiet room can create the precise work environment you need.
To select the specific location for your office, there are several factors to consider. Be realistic about the amount of area you will need to effectively work and perform duties. The area for your home office may only need to be a section of a room about the size of a small closet, or you may need to devote an entire room of your home as the designated area for your home office. The amount of square footage will depend on your type of business and what duties you perform. A business that is primarily run over the internet with no inventory required, for instance, will require significantly less space than a home business for hand-made crafts that require inventory, craft supplies, and a work table.
Plan ahead when selecting your home office area to minimize distractions. Don’t plant your office in the middle of the living room or playroom for the kids. This location is not going to allow you the peace you need to concentrate when working on large projects or meeting strict deadlines. If possible, don’t place your office on the side of your home near the neighbor’s yard with the barking dog. If you find that the antsy dog and its vocal announcements gets on your nerves in the evening while watching television, you will undoubtedly be distracted by the noise during business hours in your home office.
You will want to be certain that the area you have in mind for your home office can withstand the numerous electric gadgets such as computers, fax machine, printers, scanner, copy machine, etc. Typically home has no problem with taking on such electric responsibilities, but it is always best to look into it before you get started and in the middle of a project. You would not want to be typing up a report, when suddenly, your fuse blows and your computer shuts down. All information you were typing, yet hadn’t saved, may be lost. Avoid this situation ahead of time by double checking the capabilities of your home’s electric box. How many amps can you draw in the location of your office?
Another item to consider when selecting just the right location for your home office, is phone lines. Often, a phone line is a necessity for a home office. You may be able to get away with toting the cordless phone from your kitchen into the office to make important business calls, but it can become problematic when you need an internet connection or phone line for a fax machine. Check to locate any phone jacks in the area of your home office. If you will need to have a phone jack installed, you can get to work on organizing this project.
Lighting is important in a home office. Bright lights can be a valuable tool when working on a specific project, such as matching fabric samples or other detailed tasks. For other projects, a softer light may be easier on the eyes. You may consider purchasing and installing a dimmer switch for your home office. A task lamp is also a priceless item to have in your home office. The Perno task lamp from Barnes and Noble is a great addition to any home office. This task lamp will help to increase your productivity and reduce eye strain and fatigue.
Whenever possible, try to locate your home office in an area with a door, so that you can close the door to the world and get your work done. There is just something about closing your office door that signals to everyone that it is time to get down to business and put your nose to the grindstone. Also, the benefits of having a door to your home office are plentiful. Not only can you close the door to distractions, but a door makes it convenient to close up the office at the end of the day. Locking up shop, so to speak, helps homeowners transition from work to leisure time. Having a home office, is extremely convenient in many instances, but it also adds an extra dimension of stress into the home. When you can close the office door and take a break from the business, your mind will be able to change over from business and work mode into a more casual and comfortable environment. Psychology plays an important role in office location, as well.
What about an office with a view? Do you need to have a window in your home office? This tends to be a more personal choice. Some homeowners appreciate the relaxing effect a window can create. Having a window in your home office area can help to connect you with the outdoors. Many homeowners feel less trapped in their office space when a window is in the room. The natural light coming in from the window can not only be beautiful, but will reduce the need for artificial light sources. When the weather cooperates, opening a window in your home office can allow a gentle breeze and fresh air into your area. This brisk touch of nature can be very refreshing at times.
A home office with a window can have negative effects on productivity if you are not careful. Be advised that your window can become a distraction. Picture yourself at your desk trying to put together your schedule for the upcoming day. If your office window is open, you may be letting in more outside noise than you prefer. The next door neighbor and his noisy weed eater can truly snatch your attention and take you away from the task at hand. Another example of your office window becoming a distraction may include peering out the window daydreaming and not focusing on your work. If your children are playing outside in the yard, it may not be beneficial to have them easily in view through your office window. It can be very easy to slide into parent mode and find yourself outside separating a minor disagreement instead of typing that report that is due tomorrow.
Be cautious about having your home office in your bedroom. The sheer psychology of it does not promote the best environment for productivity. First, it can be hard to work and focus on tasks in a room that is devoted to sleep and personal time. If you get a tad sleepy in the afternoon, it can be very tempting to just lie down for a minute on the bed for a power nap. The next thing you know, your afternoon is shot and you have accomplished none of the work you set out to do after lunch.
Going to bed at night and getting a good night’s sleep is important to wake up renewed and refreshed for the next day’s work. If you find yourself in your warm, cozy bed gazing at your desk and thinking about a new advertising strategy for your business, it will be difficult to get the adequate rest you need. For this reason, it is best to avoid placing your home office area in the bedroom where you sleep.
Choose your home office location wisely, just in the same manner you would select an office location outside of your home. You want to find a location that is convenient and just the right size for your business. The area needs to have the appropriate lighting and electric capabilities. Phone jacks and internet hookup are a must for your home office. Avoid distractions when selecting just the right place. Keep in mind that you are selecting an area to encourage productivity and work, not daydreaming, when making your final decision about the perfect location for your home office. Selecting just the right place for your home office will ensure productive work and less stress for you, and better opportunity for your business.
