Home office

Being a native southern Californian, no one appreciates the value of a home office more than I do. For three years I drove an hour and half to work. Each way. Each day. (Don't ask how long it took during peak hours of 8am to 7pm.) I was not alone.

Scenarios like this, even in Canada, are all too common and it's little wonder that many of us are abandoning dreadful commutes and inadequate or expensive parking options in favour of an extra hour or more of leisure or sleep. Here are the essentials of creating a home office that works for you:

Space Planning

First, analyze your space needs. Only a lucky few can afford to devote an entire room to a home office. If you've got an extra bedroom, that's great, otherwise a corner kitchen nook, a dining room that's free all day, or even an underused closet will suffice. Your new workplace needn't be as elaborate as say, Batman's. If it's thoughtfully designed even the smallest space can be an efficient place of business.

Research neighbourhood zoning laws if you plan to receive clients. Do they allow for a separate entrance and/or professional signage? Also, remember that first impressions begin the moment the client arrives in front of the residence. The lawn and entrance must be neat and attractive and all areas leading to your office space should favourably represent your company image.

Furniture and Equipment

Next, consider furniture and equipment needs. Each employee requires an individual workstation and many offices, including mine, require separate project-related workstations such as a drafting table.

When it comes to finding office furniture that used to mean a trip to the computer store. Fortunately, that's not the case anymore and manufactures are rushing to meet the demands of this growing trend. However, look beyond pieces designed specifically for home offices. An entertainment unit adapts easily to office use and standard kitchen cabinetry has tremendous flexibility as well.

Before you make any purchase consider these basic guidelines:

• Workstations require 20" depth and 18" clearance on each side of computer.
• Standard desk height is 27"- 28 1/2".
• An antique chair may be a stylish choice, just make sure its seat height is 16"-20". Otherwise an office chair with adjustable seat, arm, and back heights is best.
• Vertical file units are approximately 30" deep.
• A computer screen should be at or just below eye level with keyboard at lap level.
• A compact CD player accommodates background music.
• A coffee maker and small refrigerator are worthwhile additions when space allows.

Next, analyze technological needs and budget for computer, fax, printer, phone lines, copier, and software. Consider purchasing a UPS (uninterrupted power supply) for items such as computers, laser printers, and large photocopy machines, which require a separate circuit since they are heavy power draws.

Lighting is another critical consideration. Any efficient work area requires both ambient (general) and task lighting. To avoid eyestrain, lighting for computer workstations should emanate from above or from the sides of the computer. Natural light is always preferred but you'll require shutters, decorative blinds, or sheers to block glare.

Separate Home and Office Life

Because you're attempting to artfully blend two different facets of life - home and work, organization is key. It's very important, at the end of the day, to be able to close the proverbial door and leave work "at the office"? If you can't physically shut the door to your office, make sure you can at least keep it out of eyesight and earshot. After hours a decorative standing screen can hide an office that's in plain view to other living areas while skirted tables cleverly conceal office clutter.

Space Saving Strategies

If your new office space is really a tight squeeze, think vertically. A tower of shelves, wall mounted bins, stacking storage boxes, take advantage of all accessible space. Decorative crates or baskets store infrequently used catalogues, equipment or files neatly below desktop. Bulky fax machines and printers can be kept in lower cabinets on pull out shelves or rolled out for use on a trolley or cart.

Decorating

At last we come to decorating. Notice that it is the last consideration, not the first. Since you may be spending a great deal of time in your newly appointed office, it's critical that you love the colour you surround yourself with. Reds and yellows translate to high energy while cool blues and greens bathe your surroundings in calm.

For a windowless office consider rich, warm colours such as terracotta, Provencal yellow, and camel. If sunlight is plentiful, virtually any pale colour works and keep ceilings white or off-white to enhance reflected daylight.

Full draperies and wall-to-wall carpeting provide warmth and noise control, as do bookshelves and bulletin boards.

Whatever decorative style you choose, inject your workspace with your own unique personality to spark creativity and foster a sense of well being. Surround yourself with objects you love, treasured collections or family photographs.

Finally, don't forget who the most valuable employee is. Add fresh flowers to your desk on Monday or schedule a quiet lunch when a difficult project is completed. The rewards of a home office are many. Maybe it's time you shortened your commute.