Photo: Paladin27 / Flickr

If you’re starting your own business or freelancing, setting up an office at home appears to be the obvious choice in most industries, at least to begin with. Set aside a designated space that’s just for work, then get to work deciding what it is you’ll need to keep your business running efficiently, from paperclips to photocopiers and beyond.

Sitting pretty

When buying office furniture, choose a desk and chair that keep you sitting up straight, so that you don’t get tired and sore easily. Choose furniture that you like, and take time getting the office to look the way you want it to look.

Tech specs

Your business will largely rely on the technology you use, so first things first: a phone is clearly essential. Decide whether you’re happy using your home phone number, or whether you’ll need a separate business line, and when buying a new phone consider whether you need facilities like conference calling, or whether a phone and fax combination is for you. Just about every home office will need a good laptop or computer with plenty of storage space and an Internet connection.

Keeping stationery

For all benefits that a ‘paperless office’ has for the environment and simple convenience, there are still times when you’ll need to use a pen and paper. Keep a pen next to the phone to take down messages in a hurry, and don’t underestimate the value of using post-it notes to remind yourself of important tasks to be completed.

Just for you

Your specific industry will probably require a few purchases that the all-purpose home office wouldn’t, among them industry-specific software. Don’t forget to factor these items into the equation of setting up your home office. With the right planning, you’ll soon be set up for success.

Tags: home office, office decoration, office supplies