Finding office space

The most popular home office space is a spare bedroom. If you sometimes have guests, consider a desk that can be closed to conceal your computer, file cabinets that can double as bedside tables, and a wall bed that, when folded up, shows nothing but a decorative panel or painting.

An alternative is the living room. It’s often near the front door—desirable if you plan to invite clients to your home—and since it is usually the largest room in the home, it lends itself to being easily divided by partitions or bookshelves. The dining room, which is often near the front door, also could provide a good spot for a home office.

If neither of those spaces is usable, another approach is to convert a garage, patio, porch, or attic. This might entail considerable expense because to make the space comfortable, you might need to install windows, wallboard, or floor covering. You even might need to provide heat, air conditioning, electrical wiring, or power outlets.

In addition, attics often require the addition of dormers or skylights. Access also can present a problem because stairways take a lot of floor space. Spiral or pull-down stairs can be installed, but then moving in furniture and equipment can be difficult. Always check with local codes to see if a building permit is required before embarking on any of these major space changes.

In a pinch even a walk-in closet or storage room can become an office. A skylight or light tube can brighten a windowless space and scaled-down furnishings can make it appear less cramped.

Furnishing your office

You generally will need a desk and chair, computer, printer, fax machine, and storage. The major complaint about home offices regards space—there’s never enough. Remember that while your space doesn’t all have to be in the same room, it’s more efficient if it is. Here are some other pointers:

• Look the part. A professionally furnished office will make you feel more business-like. Consider a consultation with a professional office planner who can design a layout to maximize your productivity. Some office furniture stores provide this service on a complimentary basis when you purchase from them.
   
• Sit pretty. The key to office comfort is a chair that fits you perfectly. Test-drive a number of chairs to find one that is just right for you—and don’t skimp!
   
• Shop smart. If money is tight, do some sharp shopping once you have that good chair. Set a door atop two low file cabinets to serve as a desk. Check out garage and estate sales, discount warehouses, classified ads, and online listings if you are in a city with Craig’s List. (http://craigslist.org). Consider floor models or “as-is” items with minor dents or scratches.
   
• Be a decorator. Today’s unfinished furniture includes office items. You can either unify unrelated pieces of furniture with matching paint or simply call your office “eclectic.” Hang pleasing artwork on your walls—whether a serene vista or a dynamic splash of color.
   
• Be bright. Be sure you have good lighting for all your work surfaces and ambient light about the same level as your computer monitor.
   
• Go up the walls. To expand usable space, use wall units for storage above and below the desk. Slender shelves can fit behind a door and shelves a foot or so below the ceiling are useful for seldom-used items.
   
• Stay mobile. In really tight spaces, opt for desk and file units on castors so they can be stored out of the way. Fold-up tables can supply the necessary work surfaces.
   
• Get the best computer setup you can afford. If you’re not computer savvy, consult someone who is to get the correct hardware and software. Dell offers MOAA members a 10 percent discount for computers ordered online, built to your specifications and delivered to your door. Computer technology is refined continually. Check out today’s much-slimmer monitors, wireless keyboards, and multi-function units combining fax, printer, and copier. And definitely install a surge suppressor.
   
• Have a separate business phone number. Family members will know not to answer your work phone, and voice mail can take messages when you are busy or out of the office. Many home-office people are installing DSL lines that can handle computer and voice signals simultaneously. This service isn’t available universally, but it’s well worth researching.
   
• Portability. Unless you are positive you’ll never move again, choose modular units that can be transported and reconfigured, rather than built-ins.

Remember, whether or not you take a tax deduction your home office, the furnishings and equipment are deductible if you use them exclusively for business. With new tax laws, items up to $100,000 may be deducted the same year they are purchased rather than over their “lifetime.”