Read Part 1

You can buy drawers that can double as counter space for equipment such as fax machine or scanner. If the drawer looks fancy enough, you can even use it as a side table in your family room. You can also look at various cabinet organizing systems available, such as wire racks on cabinet shelves to maximize the use of the vertical space. Consider adding built-in bookcases or cabinets to your home office plans for storing books, papers, files and office supplies in an aesthetically pleasing way. If your space cannot really absorb any additional files from your business, your last resort is to consider off-site storage. 

Devise a system to allow you to easily sort your stuff. Know what papers you need to keep and what to throw out - e.g. bank statements, credit card statements and canceled checks should be kept for seven years. You can segregate the various items that you have: To Pay, To File, To Follow-Up, To Trash, or Undecided. You can also use an a-b-c filing system or a keyword filing system. If it works for you, you can use a color code filing system to reduce the time spent searching for files (just be sure that you remember what each color represents!). Remember, for any filing system to work, it must be easy to maintain and information must be easily retrievable. 

At the start, you may simply need an electrical socket for your computer and peripherals and a business phone line. As your business grow, you may need a second or third phone line, additional electrical outlets for a fax machine, computer equipment, modems, copy machine, task lighting and any other electrical or electronic equipment you will need before you build.

You may also need to consider how your home office could accommodate an assistant or associate helping you out of your business in the event that your business is ready to employ others. Installing additional lines and electrical outlets after your home is built costs more.

You also need to plan ahead if you foresee the day when you will receive clients and suppliers in your home office. You may need to examine the accessibility of your home office from the front of your house, and the additional furniture or conference room-like facilities that you may need. You may even want to install a separate powder room, or provide amenities like a coat rack, umbrella stand or coffee maker for your clients' benefit. 

If you use computer in your business, you need to constantly protect your computer systems from viruses, worms and hack attacks. Given the increasing amount of threat and damage caused by viruses and hackers, you should always make sure that you have the latest firewalls and antivirus software.

More importantly, you should give the physical safety of your home office its due consideration. You need to protect your home office from break-in, theft and the chaos that often results. Aside from getting a security system installed, there are a number of measures that you can implement to protect your office. Keep a low profile, making sure that your computer systems and other expensive equipment are hidden from public view. Keep your curtains or blinds closed when you are not in your office, and dim the light - especially at night. It is also very important to get your office and all your equipment insured.

You also need to consider the safety of your customers and suppliers when they visit your home business, or the associates who work from your home. Because your home business shares space in a home, they may encounter hazards created by your family members (e.g. skateboard, banana peal, etc.), and aggressive dogs or other animals that may pose a risk to them. You need to consider liability coverage if you are entertaining business visitors to your home office. 

If you find it difficult to adjust to a solitary work life, you must organize your day to interact with your customers, or simply get out of the house for some fresh air once in a while. You may meet with your clients in their offices or a coffee shop nearby (as opposed to inviting them over to your office), or attend lunch meetings organized by your local chamber. If you have nothing "official" planned for the day, you can simply walk the dog during lunch, walk around the neighborhood to exercise, or invite a friend out for lunch.

While you need to work for your business to succeed, you also need to take care of yourself and ensure that you are in tiptop shape not only physically but also mentally.

By thinking through your home office uses ahead of time, you're more likely to end up with a working environment you can easily live with.