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Home Office Essentials Part One
by Niall Roche
So you've decided to set up your own business. You're following
the same route taken by thousands of new entrepreneurs each
day. You've settled on your business idea, designed a marketing
strategy and are looking forward to a bright future.
Did you stop at any point and think about how your home
office should be designed? What type of office setup do
you need? Most entrepreneurs have their offices at home.
Do you even have space for an office at home?
The purpose of the following two articles is not to give
you a blow-by-blow plan of how to set up your home office
but more to give you tips and advice that'll save you time,
heartbreak and money.
Your Desk
Newspaper ads years ago were filled with adverts stating
"start a business from your kitchen table". While
in theory (and in bad advertising) this is fine operating
your business from a kitchen tables is entirely unpractical.
A good home office desk is functional, sturdy and has a
clear, flat worktop. You've seen those office desks that
are filled with drawers, shelves, keyboard trays and tons
of other nooks and crannies. Firstly this type of desk looks
fine in a catalogue but is far smaller when you actually
build it.
Secondly all those drawers and shelves only give you more
places to lose stuff. Keep your desk simple.
The ideal home office desk has a large, flat working area
with at least one deep drawer for storing files and another
shallow drawer for storing pens, paper and other consumables.
Ideally the desk should also be L shaped. This allows you
to place your work around you as opposed to constantly having
to stretch and reach for different items. The L shaped desk
will provide you with a more practical working environment
aswell as saving you backpain problems later in life.
Your Chair
This is where you're going to be spending a considerable
amount of time. Never, ever skimp on your home office chair.
It is absolutely essential that you have a good office chair.
Many new home business owners make the critical mistake
of using a kitchen, spare household or even a garden chair
for their home office. This boggles the mind considering
the same person probably wouldn't think twice about paying
$1,000 for a new computer but won't pay $100 for a quality
office chair.
Using a cheap chair that doesn't provide proper back and
lower limb support can and will lead to lower back and shoulder
pain. It can also provoke migraines and other headaches.
Poor posture should never be underestimated - it can have
far reaching effects.
Features you should look for in an office chair:
* Adjustable backrest
* Swivel base
* Adjustable armrest
* Adequte lumbar support
* Deep cushioned seat
A great home office chair can be purchased for as little
as $60 brand new. If you're finding yourself strapped for
cash then check local auction houses for office clearance
items.
Other source of "cheap" office chairs are IT
firms and call centers. They're constantly having to replace
their furniture to meet legal ergonomic requirements. That
$200 office chair
can often be purchased slightly used for about $20.
Your Ergonomic Environment
The 3 key environmental factors in a suitable home working
environment are noise, light and heat.
Noise
Excessive noise is not only distracting but also debilitating.
Prolonged exposure to excessive noise can and will affect
your hearing.
What counts as excessive noise? Most experts agree that
anything over 45 decibels or the equivalent of a really
loud office fan is counterproductive to your work. You'll
have trouble focusing or thinking clearly for more than
a few moments.
Your home office needs to be a relatively peaceful environment.
You'll do your best thinking, be at your most creative and
work most effectively in a quieter office space.
Avoid using laundry rooms, TV rooms or other areas with
excessively noisy equipment of any kind.
Light
You need to be in control of the light in or coming into
your office. Light sources that are too bright will cause
glare on computer screens and documents.
A home office that is too dimly lit will lead to eyestrain
and headaches over time. If the area is too dark you'll
lean closer to the computer screen and documents to read
them thus
causing discomfort.
Natural light is ideal because it provides diffuse (soft)
light. An added bonus is that natural sunlight has a
beneficial effect on our physiologies - our bodies produce
more "feel good" chemicals when we absorb natural
light.
Obviously don't put your working area in direct sunlight
as it will be far too uncomfortable to work in. Simply arrange
your office in such a way as to maximize the benefit of
the natural light in your immediate surroundings.
If you're a nightowl then simply point your desklamp away
from the desk towards a wall behind you. Why? This provides
the same type of diffuse light that you'd experience during
the day. Adjust the lamp until it provides enough light
to read your screen or documents comfortably by.
Heat
This is the easy bit. Your home office should be neither
too hot nor too cold. Is that stating the obvious? Any extremes
of temperature in your home office will lead to decreased
work performance. Normal room temperature is 37 degrees
celsius (98 degrees Farenheit) so you need to aim for something
in that region.
If your home office is too cold you won't be able to focus.
You'll spend more time being annoyed at being cold than
getting any work done.
Too much heat and you'll find yourself becoming irritable,
lethargic and distinctly uncomfortable.
Your body is no different to the engine of a car or a piece
of electronics. We all have optimal working temperatures.
Otherwise we break down.
About the Author
Home Office Advisor has lots of information for anybody
who has, does or will run their own home office. The site
contains detailed information on office chairs, desks, computers,
ergonomics and other related topics.
(C)Copyright 2005 www.home-office-advisor.com
Now that you have learned how to choose the right desk and use heat, light, and noise to create the perfect home office environment, read the related Start Your Own Business articles below:
Find the Best Home Business Ideas
Choosing the Right Business Entity
WAH Business Essentials Part 1
WAH Business Essentials Part 2
Making Money on eBay
Start up Cost Calculator
Work at Home Job Ideas
Business Plan Template
Top 10 Secrets to Achieving Goals
Choosing a Domain Name
How to Spot and Avoid Scams
50 tips for New Work at Home Business Owners
Avoiding Company Names and Trademark Violations
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