Home Office Organization: Making Working at Home Work

So you scored a job working from home?! Excellent! No more long commutes spent on the freeways listening to Pop40 tunes or books on tape about how to "get a life." Or perhaps, you have thrown yourself heart-first into an exciting new business adventure where your home has now been redefined as "HQ."

And what a grand adventure it can be, so long as you don't find yourself sequestered to a creepy little corner of the house/garage/wannabe "den" that resembles a vacation at Guantanamo Bay.

Working from home has its own built-in challenges like isolation, procrastination, and what I like to call the "Joan Crawford Syndrome," whereby everything must be absolutely clean and orderly for work to be completed (procrastination in disguise). So why add to those challenges by shoving yourself in a dingy corner with a rickety chair and a desk held together by duct tape?

A clean, organized and efficient workspace will increase your productivity and make you smile in the process and can be done with a few key pieces on a very reasonable budget. Here are just a few tips for creating your perfect office space:

1. Location, location, location! Depending on the size of your existing living space, you might have to do some re-arranging. Whether you are single, or part of a large family, don't be afraid to stake your claim like a determined pioneer! This space is where you will manage your mini-empire, create and manifest your dreamsso really go for it! Try to choose a well-lit area, preferably with windows or skylights so you get that good filtered sunshine during the day. Of course, if you are following the latest vampire craze and like to task in the dark, then this will not apply to you. As you're location scouting, think about how you feel in different parts of your home. Some people enjoy a moderate amount of activity around them while they're working, others need complete solitude. I have a friend who was a court reporter for years, so she set up her office in the dining area, as she functions better with a little noise around her. In that case, you can find decorative screens and credenzas to "block off" your office. Whatever you choose, it should simply make you feel good.
2. Spend your money on quality basics: chair, desk, bookcase, and a good lamp. A good chair is essential to your health and productivity. Find a chair that supports your back and lines your shoulders up to discourage slouching. It takes more than a day to build an empire, so your chair should be comfortable and see you through your entrepreneurial journey! CSNChairs.com has an excellent selection of chairs for under $100. If you don't already have a desk, you can find some great pieces at places like Home Office Solutions and Office Depot. Another idea is to take a solid dining table, rectangular in shape, and get a separate filing cabinet that either rolls under the table or tucks nicely in a corner. Don't be afraid to mix and match your pieces, but be consistent with your wood finishes and style so that the office does not start to resemble a graveyard for unused furniture.
3. Feng what?! Feng Shui gets a bad rap sometimes, but it makes a lot of sense that you should feel prosperous and creative in your workspace. I recommend that your desk not face the wall for obvious reasons! Talk about "hitting the wall" while you're working long hours! Arrange your office so that you feel open to those new opportunities! Placing a few "living things" in your office like plants or a small aquarium full of colorful fish is also great for staying "connected," just in case you don't make it outside for a few days!  (Uh, kidding...)
4. Accessorize! Accessorizing in decorating is like the perfect spice in a recipe--it puts your personal stamp on it. Plus, now that you have the basics in place, might as well let your freak flag fly! Who's going to tell you to rip down that Lady Gaga poster or that an Alex Ovechkin bobble-head isn't professional? No one! Let freedom ring!

Enjoy the adventure of independence and anonymity--even on the day when the costume for that adventure is pajamas…but that's another blog post.