If you have to work at home, either every day or every once in awhile, you need an office set up that lets you make the most out of your work hours. The good news is that it doesn't take a lot of money or a lot of space to create a pretty great home office for yourself if you've got some good fundamentals in place (if you don't have a desk or even a table, you might need to do a little bit of shopping). Read on to find out how to turn your apartment into the perfect space for getting things done when you're working at home.
Find a good work surface. While most work at home is done at a desk, really any flat surface that's clear and the right height will work. Ideally, you'll want to have a table or desk that's dedicated as a work space, but if that's just not possible, double duty isn't the end of the world. If you've got limited space, consider a fold-down or roll away desk.
Get comfy. Find a chair that isn't going to mess up your back or leave your rear aching at the end of a work day. An office chair is the ideal choice, especially one that will support you ergonomically, but in a pinch any comfortable, supportive chair will do.
Keep it quiet. If you live on a noisy street, the best place to set up your office probably isn't where you can hear all of that noise. Put your workspace where you're least likely to hear the outside world and can really focus on work.
Eliminate distractions. Working at home can be amazing, but it can also make it hard to concentrate. With so many potential distractions at hand, you really have to do something to keep you on task. Putting up a divider in a room can help or you may just need to choose a space far from your TV, couch, or interesting reading material.
Clean the house. Fun stuff may be the main distraction, but household chores can also call your name when you're supposed to be working, so make sure to tidy up around your place before you go to bed so that you can wake up to a home office that's blissfully neat and organized.
Keep the essentials within arms reach. You shouldn't have to hunt around for printer paper, pens, and other office necessities when you're working. Keep those materials on hand and right next to your workspace. If it's not a permanent space, compile an office kit to set up on days when you're working from your apartment.
Get the best internet connection. If you are working on the web day in and day out, it should go without saying that you need a good internet hookup. Don't try to skate by with the lowest and slowest connection you can get. Go for the best available, you'll thank yourself when your conference calls don't cut out and your downloads take seconds instead of minutes. Better yet, if you're a freelancer, you can deduct part of the cost on your taxes.
Make it happy. If you're trying to work out of a dark closet, you're not likely to want to get to work or stay at work each day. Wherever you choose to work in your home, make it a pleasant place to be. That might mean adding some plants and photos, working near a window, whatever works for you.
Go vertical. When you're working in a small space, you have to get the most out of every inch. Instead of spreading out, spread up. Wall shelves can store all kinds of things you need for work, and won't take up a lick of floor space.
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