Essential guidance if you are setting up an office from home
Home Office
Escaping from exhausting and time-consuming commutes and the freedom to set your own working hours are among the key benefits enjoyed by those who work from home.
Internet technologies and modern telecommunications have made remote working a viable option for many professions and an attractive solution for employers looking to cut costs on office and desk space. In fact, Enterprise Nation, which provides free information and advice for people working and setting up businesses from home, predicts that the number of homeworkers will rise to eight million in 2009.
Yet despite its numerous benefits, the trouble is that unless you are lucky enough to live in a large house with a spare room or loft that you can transform in to an office, creating the right environment and making space for all the necessary equipment you require can prove a tall order.
And remember, your MORE TH>N home contents policy will cover you for your business equipment at home, this is not the case with all home insurance policies so make sure you check if you work from home. In addition to insuring your equipment such as computers, if you’re running your own business from home, employ staff and have client meetings in your home, it is essential that you adhere to legal and health and safety requirements and make sure that you get the right home office insurance policy for your needs.
How to design and fit a home office in a small space
- 1. Creating the right space: If you do not have a separate room and plan to work from home long term, it’s worth investing in works to make the most of available space and create an ‘office’ that will have minimal impact on the look and feel of your home. Specialist outfits design and fit ‘home offices’ that maximise space– turning awkward corners into valuable storage space, allowing you to work from home without compromising on style.
- 2. DIY design: If you’re adding an office area to your living room, making it blend with your current décor will both ensure that it does not stick out and enhance your sense of space. Look at the room to see where a small desk could be added (you may need to move the furniture around to achieve this). Then shop carefully for a desk or a tall table that matches the rest of your furniture. And see if there is a way you could use one of the chairs already in the room, such as one of the dining table chairs as your ‘work chair’ when you need it. If not, make sure you buy a chair that is comfortable, and at the right height for your desk, as well as matching the décor.
- 3. De-clutter: Avoid adding any unnecessary accessories to your work area. Make room for key items such as your computer, printer and telephone and invest in a piece of furniture that you can use as a storage cupboard, or a small chest of drawers to use as a ‘filing cabinet’ to keep paperwork and stationery tidy and out of sight. Storage boxes with attractive designs are widely available and offer a low-cost solution for storing work materials.
- 4. Light it right: Flat overhead lighting will make your work area feel even smaller. Using separate light sources, including a desk lamp, will 'stretch' the corners of your room, give you control over the amount of light you need for reading and computer work, and allow you to conceal cluttered areas and highlight others to get the best and most flexible use out of your space. Another trick is to strategically place mirrors to capitalise on natural light and create the impression of extra space.
- 5. Double up: Choose office equipment that is multi-functional such as a printer that also has a built-in photocopier and scanner. Most of the latest models are multi-functional and compact, which will save both space and your hard-earned money.
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