Designing the Ideal Home Office

If you're working from home on a full-time basis,office furniture at once, keep in mind any
you may feel the need for a functional homeadditional pieces you may want to match to your
office. With so many styles and designs ofdesk in the future.
computer desks, office chairs and other pieces ofExecutive desks also are 29 to 31 inches high, but
office furniture to choose from, it might seem likeare generally more elaborate in detail. They can
an impossible task. But with some careful planning,feature wider desk tops than standard desks, and
you can create a functional and practical homehave features like storage compartment, storage
office you can be proud of.drawers and a file drawer. Executive desks tend
Deciding where it will be located and how muchto be available in richer finishes and offer more
space you will have to work with, is the first stepfeatures than a standard desk.
in planning your home office. Will it be in a sectionL-shaped desks are composed of two desks that
of your basement, part of your family room or inform an L. These are designed to maximize floor
a separate room? To select the perfect locationspace and are ideal for smaller areas since they
for your office, take into account any privacycan be installed in a corner of the room. L-shaped
issues that might arise, if the area is well-lit anddesks are very popular because, in addition to a
the locations of all available power sources.place for the monitor and keyboard, there is also
After knowing where you will set up your office,a work area within arm's reach.
take measurements. How much space you haveU-shaped desks are made of two desks flanked
to fill will be the deciding factor in determiningon either side of a credenza. These U-shaped
what other pieces of office equipment you will bedesks are ideal for those who need the extra
able to include. It will give you a better idea whenworkspace. However, of all the types of
shopping for an executive desk if you have spacecomputer desks, they do take up the most
for a credenza, bookshelf or more than one filingspace. If you are sharing your home office or
cabinet.have the room, a U-shaped desk is a good choice.
If you will need to see clients or businessOffice chairs come in many shapes and styles.
associates, you will want your home office to beYou will want to choose an office chair that will
professional looking, yet be a comfortable andnot only complement the desk you selected, but
welcoming place. Consider purchasing a side chairbe comfortable as well. It should also support you
for visitors that matches your office chair, or ifergonomically.
there is room, a small sofa.If you have limited space to work with when
When choosing a computer desk, consider thesetting up your home office, consider purchasing a
following:computer workstation. They are very compact
- available floor spaceand usually have a keyboard tray, places for the
- whether the desk layout or the components ofCPU, monitor and printer, and other features like
an office suite favor right hand or left hand setuputility or file drawers. Some types of computer
- if it will blend with your decorworkstations have the added benefit of being on
- if the work surface is large enough tocasters, so that they can be moved easily. Since
accommodate your needsthey come in a number of configurations, they
- the size and layout of the deskcan be a viable alternative to the standard
The four basic types of computer desks arecomputer desk.
standard, executive, L-shaped and U-shaped andWith a little planning, you can create a home
generally refer to the layout of the desk.office that is both a practical and enjoyable place
Standard desks come in a variety of styles andto work. Hopefully this article will help you decide
materials, and stand 29 to 31 inches high. Theywhat type of desk and other pieces of offices
can have features such as an adjustablefurniture you will need when designing an office
keyboard tray, and drawers. When selecting aspace for your home.
standard desk, if you aren't purchasing all of your