With the holidays fast approaching, the electronics stores will be hustling and bustling, churning out TVs, DVDs, digital cameras and laptops. Personal electronics are on the wish list for everyone from kids to grandparents. Once you have all of those shiny, new toys where do you put them and how will you use them?
I have a home office that I used to spend most of my time in. Computer, printer, scanner, fax...all of the tools of the West Bank real estate trade. I painted it a warm, chocolate brown color and installed French doors, a new fan and window blinds. It was a wonderful space. Slowly, but surely, the rest of the family begin creeping in on "my space". First it was my husband and his karaoke computer. Then it was the kids when we purchased a separate computer for them. The older kids have moved out, but apparently not on, since they were always in the house checking email.
Finally, in defeat, I relocated to the dining room table. Don't get me wrong, we usually eat in the kitchen and the dining room is not such a bad place to work. I have a beautiful picture window to gaze out of while waiting for my next real estate blog inspiration to hit, remote printing from my laptop and easy access to the kitchen for snacks. But, on my list to accomplish for 2008 is to relocate the trespassers, reclaim my office and create a truly comfortable work environment.
I started thinking of a list of things to do to make my home office the best space it can be and realized that I am not the only one facing the daunting task of cleaning up a space and changing how it is used. Are you considering creating your own home office? Here are some tips I've picked up during my planning:
Your office should be away from the main traffic flow in your house. If everyone can just pop their head in at any old time, you'll never get your work done. This is one of the main reasons I prefer to work at home - minimizing interruptions and trying to get more done in less time.
Purchase a quality desk and chair. Your desk should be large enough to hold not only your computer, but also provide a space for a phone, a lighting source and room to spread out and write. A comfortable chair is a must for anyone who spends extended periods at their desk. Who wants to have an aching back every day? Ergonomically correct chairs can be a lifesaver for people like me who spend a lot of time on the computer.
Does the room you are converting have a telephone jack and internet access? These are critical items for any home office and are easy to add. A quick call to the cable company that provides my service got me a new internet line installed within a week.
Don't forget about storage space. Whether you use a file cabinet, bookshelves or a combination of storage ideas, you should have a place for everything. Baskets and trays for sorting incoming documents can help keep you on track. Now is the time to get organized and plan for next year's business.
Lighting is a critical and often overlooked issue for a home office. Headaches from glare on the computer screen are no fun! A mix of overhead and table lighting can give you a more comfortable and productive work environment.
If you have any suggestions for creating or improving a home office, please feel free to share them with me.
Your West Bank Real Estate Specialist
Lisa Heindel, REALTOR®. New Orleans West Bank homes for sale in Algiers, Algiers Point, Gretna, Terrytown, Harvey, Marrero and Belle Chasse.
Copyright 2007. Lisa Heindel. All rights reserved.
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