Over the past several years, the number of people telecommuting from home, as well as entrepreneurs making use of home offices, has increased dramatically. For these workers, it is essential to create a space that is comfortable but also functional. With the right setup, staying focused and productive can be easy.

Consider Office Needs

Prior to designating a home office space, make a list of everything needed to be efficient for daily operations. While there will be ongoing needs, this list consists of things deemed “critical.” Some of the key items include a desk and chair, workspace, filing cabinets, a computer, shelving and so on. If possible, also take into account any possible growth or expansion needs in the near future.

Choose a Designated Area

A designated area of the home must be determined and respected. This space becomes off limits to other people in the house and is used solely for job purposes. The space should be quiet and private, especially if there are small children around or roommates living close by. A basement area or spare room are great options to consider.

Think about Storage and Working Requirements

Dealing with limited space can be a big challenge, but organization and productivity depend largely on how well maintained a home office is. There needs to be a separate table for work and sufficient space for filing cabinets. In extremely small living quarters, filing cabinets can be stored in another area as long as it provides easy access. However, vertical shelving can also be used for binders and other items typically stored in a filing cabinet. Defining both storage and workspace requirements make it easier to come up with a good office layout.

Choose Appropriate Lighting

A home office with plenty of natural light is ideal, but if the space does not offer much in the way of windows, access lighting becomes essential. For starters, good overhead lights that illuminate most of the office space are highly recommended. For illuminating smaller areas within the office, a desk lamp, task lighting or even a floor lamp work well. It is important to have a well-lit area but one without direct light on the computer screen to reduce computer glare and, therefore, minimize eyestrain.

Invest in the Right Communications

To stay focused while working at home, experts suggest investing in a separate phone line. Typically, a dedicated office phone is inexpensive and easy to have installed. For obvious reasons, a home office phone creates a more professional environment. For instance, while on an important call with a client or potential client, there is no risk of a teenager in the home interrupting to ask how long before the parent gets off the line. A dedicated home office phone can consist of a landline, cellphone or VoIP phone, which is Internet based.

Purchase the Right Office Equipment

Setting up the perfect home office involves buying the right type of equipment. Unless your employer or a client pays for your equipment, you will have an initial financial investment; however, it is easier to stay productive when using the right equipment so you should recoup the money within a short period of time. Even if on a tight budget, it is important never to skimp on equipment. That does not mean buying the highest priced items available, but you should expect to invest in a comfortable office chair with proper back support, a computer with adequate memory and appropriate programs, a high-speed Internet connection and so on.

Separate Personal from Professional

To stay productive, personal life has to be kept separate from professional life when working at home. Sometimes, this can be a challenge, but having the right office setup certainly helps. At no time should anything personal be kept in a home office. Personal documents, checks and other items not related to work need to remain separate. This makes it easier to keep track of expenditures, taxes and other important items.

Establish Policies and Procedures

For a one or two-person operation, having a 60-page rulebook is not necessary, but there do need to be some well-defined expectations that are easily accessible. Regardless of what job someone in the office performs, processes and expectations should be clearly defined. This includes keeping track of business trip mileage, client luncheons, record keeping, bill paying, scheduled lunches and breaks, etc. In addition to a more organized space, policies and procedures promote accountability.

Determine Hours of Operation

Sticking to set hours while at home is also challenging for some people. However, to stay motivated and focused, there should be pre-defined hours of work. Although there will be occasions when work extends beyond normal business time, having set hours reduces distractions from family members and establishes expectations for clients.