Creating the Perfect Work Space

There has been an undeniably large movement in recent years among corporations and even small businesses that finds many employees working from home these days.  The saved expenses of having to supply computers, desks, chairs, phones, and other business essentials can mean big changes to the bottom line for most companies.  So, it makes sense that many of them would welcome the idea of allowing members of the team to work remotely.

If you are among those who have found the joys of a commute-free job, then there are a few things you should consider before logging on for your first day at a new desk – the first of which may very well be the desk.

A home office space will often need to fulfill many purposes.  Because many Americans don’t have a space defined by four walls to call “work,” it becomes necessary to build the function into an existing area.  Whether you are doing this in your living room, bedroom, or kitchen, there are ways to make it work, without overwhelming your current décor.

Try to make the desk work with the floor plan of the house, without making it easy for you to be distracted.  A silk or bamboo privacy screen can be easily pulled out or tucked away, if you need a little added privacy while working.  If a desk is already existing, then part of the battle is already over, but if you are buying a new workspace, try to choose one that will provide instant organization – via drawers, built-in filing cabinets, or an abundance of surface space.  For those who use more than one monitor, or must have a printer within arm’s reach at all times, an L-shaped desk might be a better option.  You might also consider having existing furniture serve a double purpose, such as a night stand that is able to hold both the printer and the alarm clock or let the decorative bistro set second as a place to host clients.  The idea of a surface working for two purposes is certainly not a foreign one in the corporate world.  Great Falls Tribune just documented that more than one-third of the employees in this country will let their workspace double as a table for lunch.  That’s one good thing about working from home – the kitchen table is always a short distance away.