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Do's
and Don'ts in Workspace Design
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Tips
on what to do and what to avoid in organizing your workspace for your home
business.
by
Isabel M. Isidro
Managing Editor
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- Do try to arrange your space in an L-shape or
triangle, with a swivel-style desk chair in the middle of the
configuration. With a spin of your seat or a slight roll backward or
to the side, all essentials are within arm's reach.
(article continued below ...)
- Don't skimp on comfort, especially when it comes to
your desk chair. Choose one with a cushioned seat and back,
adjustable height so your feet are flat on the floor, a back that
tilts and curves, and wheels on the bottom to get around easily.
- Do group equipment and furnishings into different
centers of operation. These might include your computer,
phone/fax, mail handling area, and worktable.
- Don't be stingy about storage space and lighting. Put
in as many cabinets, cubbies, and shelves as you can without
crowding your workspace. Illuminate individual work areas with their
own direct lights.
- Do plan with portability in mind. Cordless phones and
laptops allow you to move your work close to your children, if
necessary. Other portable conveniences are furniture on casters,
baskets that can quickly be repositioned when needed, and a rolling
cart to easily transport files and correspondence so you can work in
the kitchen, family room, or even outside for an hour or so.
- Don't set up your office where it should be; put it
where you want it to be.
- Do personalize the room by hanging up children's
drawings and other favorite artwork, propping family photos on the
desk, painting the walls your favorite color, including a
knickknack or two, and adding other special touches. These not only
make for a cozier space, they can help reduce stress.
- Don't do everything at once if money and/or time are
tight. Start with the bare-bones basics, adding on when you can
afford more. As your profits increase, you may even consider hiring
a professional designer to help you make improvements. Most charge
between $75 and $150 an hour for a consultation, and it would not
take long to toss around some design ideas.
- Do plan for future growth. Architects and designers
recommend that you project 25 percent more space than you currently
require, especially if you're remodeling your home to accommodate an
office or buying a new house with work-at-home potential.
Source:
Parlapiano, Ellen and Patricia Cobe. Mompreneurs: A Mother’s
Practical Step-by-Step Guide to Work at Home Success.
(New York: Perigree Book, 1996), pp. 129-130.
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