When deciding on a home office, you might want to consider exactly what you will use it for. You will need to determine in which section of your house you will establish your office and what items you will place in the room. Will your family use your office? You and your family may all have digital cameras that require using your computer. Some of your family may want to spend time playing computer games on your computer -- while others may want to watch.
Perhaps you have an absorbing hobby that requires you to use a computer. If you have children, they will be probably need to use your computer in the evenings to do their homework. Your family-friendly office will need enough space for your family. You should have enough room for two to sit at the computer, because kids like to share things like playing games.
If that's the case, then you need to establish a central location in the house for your office so the whole family has access to it. Establishing a section of the lounge or sitting room might be a good place, unless you have another spare room. If the children are still young, you may want to keep your home office somewhere safe from curious kids, so using a central room away the from main playroom is an excellent choice. Besides a computer, you'll probably need a scanner and printer, some shelving or storage space for office supplies and equipment.
On the other hand, if you work a job, you might -- on occasion -- bring home work that requires you to spend long hours either at the computer or at a desk or table. Or maybe you will use a home office solely for running a home business; if so, then a more private place in your home would be best.
If you have a young family, they'll probably want your attention while you are trying to work. If this is the case, you really need a place where you can work undisturbed. You may also need a private office to interview prospective clients in person or on the phone.
Your office will need plenty of space if you are planning a family-friendly office. If you plan to work in the office as well as let the family in there to play or share your time, then you may want to have a second computer for them to use while you are working on yours. They will be delighted with their own "space" and will often play there contentedly and quietly while you are busy.
Depending on how well you focus on your work, you may also want to install a television to entertain the kids while you get some work done. Make sure your office has plenty of comfortable seats, a sofa or beanbags so your kids will be less likely to sit on your lap all the time. If your children are older, they will certainly need their own computer and work desk. It's better to have their computer in the general office so you can keep an eye on what they are doing while you are working.
You will need to have enough drawers or shelving for everyone to store their stuff; if each person "owns" a shelf, then their stuff won't get mixed up with yours. Open shelving can look untidy, so perhaps a cupboard with shelves in it will be good for storage. Otherwise you could use color-coded baskets or tubs on the shelves.
If you are using a spare bedroom for your family-friendly office, you could use the built-in wardrobe closet for storage space -- or you may prefer to use it to store your computer; this way you can shut the doors without having to turn off you computer if you need to leave the room with young kids still in there. Your work will be protected from curious little fingers.
If your children are older, you may simply use a corner of your lounge or rumpus room to store your office. But if your work office is solely for work and not for family, then you will certainly need to keep it in a room separate from the family room.
Apart from a computer, scanner and printer, your work office may need a filing cabinet with a lockable drawer, along with a phone line or two and a fax machine. Depending on the work you plan to do in this office, you may need a separate table and chair and a sofa chair for those times you need a break from the computer. If you plan on spending long hours at the computer, you will need a comfortable work chair, too. Don't forget the heating and cooling systems to keep you comfortable while you work.
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