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Build the Perfect Home Office

A recent survey showed that more than 10% of corporate employees work remotely, according to the National Association of Realtors®. If you fall into this group, or are just looking to prepare your home for sale and want to make room for a home office, follow these tips:

Find the Right Spot
There's a lot to consider when finding the right spot for your home office. Ideally, you want enough room for your desk, chair and at least one filing cabinet. You also want to be comfortable where you work, so a tight, cramped office won't do. If possible, find a room with a closet to store supplies. Also, make sure to choose a location that is away from distractions. Avoid rooms near a TV or kitchen. Finally, remember to pick a room with enough electrical outlets and Internet access. When choosing the latter, go with wireless. The quick connection will save you time and frustration and you won't have to worry about the extra cords.

Shed Some Light
Your home office should have plenty of light. A dark room with drab colors will only make you fall asleep. Brightly-painted walls and lots of natural light will help boost your mood and maximize productivity. For natural light, choose a room facing the East to get the morning sunlight through the window. You can add additional light with ceiling and desk lamps, but make sure the light is evenly distributed throughout the room to avoid shadows or glare.

Organize
In order to maximize space in your home office, it's critical to minimize your clutter. That means you need to keep your files organized. For starters, get rid of any old documents that you don't need. (A good rule is to keep important documents for at least one year). Then, gather your documents together and sort them into piles. Create a labeled folder for each pile and place them in your file cabinet or desk drawer. If you want to be really organized, you can color code each category. Remember to keep your household and work papers separate from each other.

For more home organization, contact me today.

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