With telecommuting becoming more popular, and work hours always longer, even one to two days a week at home now requires the establishment of a productive niche, if not a room for career success. Whether you have an extra room to devote, a basement you can remodel and outfit, or you are remodeling an unused closet for that office space, there are some important considerations you'll want to make. When you truly have a dedicated home office niche, well designed for productivity you will earn more, get more done in less time, and look forward to it. Call in a professional if you don't know where to start!

Get organized, Get storage! Do take stock of how much storage you need and what type. This is necessary for both old records and current records. While we'd love to live in a paperless world, it seems there is more and more, instead of less and less. It has to be effectively stored for easy access and preservation. A damp basement subject to mold isn't going to work well. Cruising through a place like the Container Store or at least Office Depot and Target will give you some fresh ideas on how best to create a system personalized and customized for your business. This may also be a good time to call in an organizer for a first hand look at your storage needs by an expert.

Create a dedicated work surface! No it isn't practical to think you can work on the coffee table or dining table and have it all either put away (ha!ha!) or shoved aside in time for dinner or kids to watch TV. You need a dedicated space, separate and private, that you can close off. This can be another room, a closet transformed, or even an office armoire, but you need the privacy. Remember every time you move your stuff something gets misplaced and since we already spend about 2 years of our lives standing in line and looking for keys, can you afford to lose more time?

Have the right equipment! Make a list of the equipment you need and what you use the most. While it is easy to buy a four-in-one-machine, that isn't effective if you need it doing more than one function simultaneously. Also, up front consider your electrical demands. Do you need additional outlets? Do you need dedicated phone lines' Sure many folks can just pull out a laptop and go for it, but others of us need a bit more. While computers can now fax, email, voice transcribe, and much more, if you aren't familiar with all of this and it is reinventing the wheel to consider learning it, come up with other means. At the risk of sounding antiquated, I still have a hard copy fax, I don't scan much and it saves time. All this equipment also takes space, don't forget!

Know that ergonomics matters! Working out of a breakfast chair or off a stool is not generally comfortable. If you aren't comfortable you aren't as productive. Get a good chair, on a five star base if you need it (most of us do!). A high back is generally more ergonomic than a low back, and arms count.

Light to get it all done! You wouldn't go to a professional office and work by flashlight, so don't do it at home! Overhead lighting is often harsh and glaring and creates eyestrain. The best is a combination of overhead, whether recessed or flush mounted (a central ceiling fixture), and task lighting. Task lighting can be a halogen desk lamp with a 2-way bulb. It is focused on the task at hand. The right lighting will truly make you enjoy the space more, and look forward to getting it done.

Establish your identity! This is particularly significant if you have clients coming to your home office. It should represent your career field and showcase your accomplishments. This could be framed articles you have written or been written about you. It also typically entails diplomas and awards. (You spent a lot of time, effort and often money earning these, show them off.) If you want to incorporate artwork, it should reflect your field. Graphs and charts, or even a map with pins indicating business locations is appropriate. This also reinforces your credibility and reputation as much for you as for others.

Ready for clients! Do you have to entertain clients in your home office? If so, it needs to look professional. That means a separate room with seating for clients as well as your desk and support pieces. It can be a residential feeling, perhaps a Country French writing desk, or a contemporary glass top on a stainless base with appropriate seating. It does need to emphasize business, and not look like house leftovers. Be sure you have an extra table if needed to spread out presentations or sales materials. The floor is not a good resort!

2005 Melissa Galt