Did you stop at any point and think about how your home office should be designed? What type of office setup do you need? Most entrepreneurs have their offices at home. Do you evenhave
space for an office at home?
The purpose of the following two articles is not to give you a
blow-by-blow plan of how to set up your home office but more to give you tips and advice that’ll save you time,Home Office Essentials Part One Articles heartbreak and money.
Your Desk
Newspaper ads years ago were filled with adverts stating “start a business from your kitchen table”. While in theory (and in bad advertising) this is fine operating your business from a kitchen tables is entirely unpractical.
A good home office desk is functional, sturdy and has a clear, flat worktop. You’ve seen those office desks that are filled with drawers, shelves, keyboard trays and tons of other nooks and crannies. Firstly this type of desk looks fine in a catalogue but is far smaller when you actually build it.
Secondly all those drawers and shelves only give you more places to lose stuff. Keep your desk simple.
The ideal home office desk has a large, flat working area with at least one deep drawer for storing files and another shallow drawer for storing pens, paper and other consumables.
Ideally the desk should also be L shaped. This allows you to place your work around you as opposed to constantly having to stretch and reach for different items. The L shaped desk will provide you with a more practical working environment aswell as saving you backpain problems later in life.
Your Chair
This is where you’re going to be spending a considerable amount of time. Never, ever skimp on your home office chair. It is absolutely essential that you have a good office chair.
Many new home business owners make the critical mistake of using a kitchen, spare household or even a garden chair for their home office. This boggles the mind considering the same person probably wouldn’t think twice about paying $1,000 for a new computer but won’t pay $100 for a quality office chair.
Using a cheap chair that doesn’t provide proper back and lower
limb support can and will lead to lower back and shoulder pain. It can also provoke migraines and other headaches. Poor posture should never be underestimated – it can have far
reaching effects.
Features you should look for in an office chair:
* Adjustable backrest
* Swivel base
* Adjustable armrest
* Adequte lumbar support
* Deep cushioned seat
A great home office chair can be purchased for as http://xn--2y1bo73abd962dbrb.com/ little as $60 brand new. If you’re finding yourself strapped for cash then check local auction houses for office clearance items.
Other source of “cheap” office chairs are IT firms and call centers. They’re constantly having to replace their furniture to meet legal ergonomic requirements. That $200 office chair
can often be purchased slightly used for about $20.
Your Ergonomic Environment
The 3 key environmental factors in a suitable home working environment are noise, light and heat.
Noise
Excessive noise is not only distracting but also debilitating. Prolonged exposure to excessive noise can and will affect your hearing.
What counts as excessive noise? Most experts agree that anything over 45 decibels or the equivalent of a really loud office fan is counterproductive to your work. You’ll have trouble focusing or thinking clearly for more than a few moments.