For a lot of people, the very thought of tedious home office setup can be boring. But, relax. Setting up your home office can actually be an enjoyable experience. Here is a time to customize, or personalize, your home office just the way you like it. Make it comfortable, functional, and all about you.
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Office setup is no longer mandated to an empty corner in your home, or your basement (which is where my home office is located, by the way...) If you have more space to put a functioning home office, why not use it.
There are a few necessities that are a part of any good home office, and yours should not be any different. Here is a list of must-have office equipment and furniture that you will need to create the perfect work-from-home office setup.
Computer - I'm sure you guessed this one. Since using a computer for entertainment is very different then using one for business, there are some considerations you need to keep in mind.
First, you need to have a separate computer for business than you have delegated as the "family" computer. If you can not afford to have a separate computer at the moment, then you need to set yourself up as a new user on your old computer, complete with password. This is because that, as a work from home professional, you will be privy to a lot of private information. Depending on the business model that you choice, you could have access to credit card numbers, addresses, and even social security numbers. This private information can become compromised when others are using the same computer.
Second, your computer needs to have a lot of free memory and space, trust interior design me. As I research the internet I have a habit of saving everything. Then I make special folders on my desktop to catalog my articles, blogs, web pages, etc. When you are a work from home professional, you need to have as much reference material at your fingertips as you can.
Copier/Fax - A copier is something that I have found to be indispensable in my own home office setup. If you are pressed for space, then buy an all-in-one system. This will give you your faxing, copying, scanning, and printing all in one unit.
With new technology out now, there are also a lot of companies that offer virtual office solutions. For a monthly fee, usually from $20-$40, you can have your own virtual fax number, telephone number, and even 1-800 #. This allows you to have the faxing/office services, without having an actual fax machine.
A conventional workplace is no longer the norm, as many companies around the world are seeking more creative interiors for their offices. As a result, most of the top corporate organisations have given up the traditional concept of having plain walls and individual cubicles. Instead, they are opting for an office interior design that creates a more open work environment, where their employees can simply plug in their laptops anywhere to do their work. A creative interior design can help the overall environment in the offices as they fulfil the following purposes:
Encourage an Open Work Culture: Today, many businesses are letting go of the traditional concept of individual offices and are introducing more creative and stylish work spaces for their employees. One such revolutionary concept is an office without walls. It encourages transparency and team spirit, whilst making it easier for managers to supervise their sub-ordinates and communicate with them.
Ensure Optimum Utilisation of Space: At times, there is a possibility that a workplace may occupy less space than the original planned work area. No organisation would want to pay for the extra space, and besides, many businesses today allow most of their employees to work from home. This is the reason why it is necessary to plan the required amount of space before designing the office interiors.
Create a Warm and Friendly Reception Area: When clients visit the office of a business enterprise, the reception area is the place that they see first. The reception will create an image of the organisation in the client's mind and can also leave the client with a lasting impression. It is, therefore, essential for businesses to get the reception area of their offices designed in a way that creates a professional and welcoming atmosphere.
Provide Some Private Spaces: Having an open design is a great idea, but certain private spaces may be required for a private meeting between a manager and sub-ordinate or for an interview. Such spaces would also help some individuals at times to work without any distractions and enable them to be more focused on their work, thus enhancing their productivity.
Inspire Positive Employee Behaviour: It is easier for companies to inspire a particular behaviour in their employees by incorporating certain elements into the office design. Installing recycling stations throughout the office would encourage employees to recycle. A centralised breakout area would encourage employees to build relationships and bond with each other during their breaks.
Allow Flexibility of Space: Keeping the workplace as flexible as possible can be helpful when it comes to adding new employees. Dividers can be used to increase or decrease the space between work stations. The organisation can buy desks and tables that facilitate easy movements, while certain areas lying vacant can be used for team meetings.
When an organisation wants to create a new office or remodel the existing one, the emphasis must be on flexibility, productivity and creativity with less clutter. Hiring an interior design consultancy that uses holistic design principles and the latest technologies in their projects would help companies to create great office interiors.