The Home Office

By Jennifer Seligman

Now that you've moved into your new home, it's time to find a place to get your work done. Whether you work from home, plan on getting another degree, or you're still in school, creating a space for concentration is crucial. And depending on one's work or study habits, this might be a challenge.

Josh Raskin, 25, works out of an office and his home. He draws a clear division between how each room in his home is used.

"When working at home, try and separate the work or study area from the bedroom or living room. Try to make it like it's a completely separate part of the house, so you actually feel like you are at work. In school when I had to study, I would usually go to the library. But if I had to study at home, I went somewhere uncomfortable and boring, like the kitchen table."

If setting up a home office, try to make it an actual office and not a corner of the kitchen, an end of the bedroom, or a section of the living room. Study areas need not follow such strict guidelines; it is fine as long as it is quiet and free of distractions. Remember, you are trying to form a habit of working and studying when you are in this place, so don't use your study space for social conversations,writing letters, or daydreaming. If you have to, place a 'Do Not Disturb' sign on the door.

Heather MacGregor of Heather Interiors (www.heathermacgregor. com) suggests your workspace not be too comfortable. "You should not have your workspace in your bedroom, because when you decide you want to go to sleep, your mind won't relax the same way. It should be in a small, quiet area of your house."

Treat a home office the same way you would a corporate office. Once you choose the right space, set it up for business. This means investing in the best computer equipment you can afford (and don't scrimp on the printer), purchasing a proper desk and chair, and any other equipment that you may require. Also, consider getting a dedicated business telephone line. It is not professional to have your spouse, children, or household visitors answer a business telephone line.

If you find yourself tight on money, MacGregor suggests an alternative to pricey desks.

"You can actually make a great and inexpensive desk by putting two file cabinets, one on either side, and placing a hollow core door (wood frame inside with MDF fiberboard inside) on top. Then, if you have enough money, get it painted or laminated to give it a more professional look."

Make sure you have enough room to store your work or study materials. Include enough storage space to allow you to free your desktop surface of unnecessary materials that might get in the way. Keep the area underneath your desk clear as well to allow for leg room.

Before sitting down to work, consider some other factors that may contribute to distraction. There are many things in your workspace that may cause eyestrain and discomfort, including lighting. The amount of light you need really depends on what you are doing. The important thing is that you can clearly view what you need to see without any strain or discomfort.

"Your lights shouldn't glare off your paper," says MacGregor. "Any sort of desk lamps are good. When you have an overhead light your head gets in the way and you?ll always have a shadow."

The distance of your monitor from you, as well as where you put the documents you look at while typing, can also be factors. Is your screen clean and free of glare? Reflections and glare make it harder to see the characters on your screen and contribute to eyestrain and headaches. You could be making matters worse by moving into awkward postures that contribute to neck, back, and arm discomfort as well.

Also, make sure your workspace is the right temperature. If your study place is too warm, you might become sleepy. If it is too cold, your thinking may slow down and become unclear. Select a temperature at which your mind and body function best.

Do you alternate your work position throughout the day? To avoid strain to your neck and shoulders, alternate job tasks and assume different work postures throughout the day. An adjustable keyboard tray will allow you to alternate among a variety of positions for optimal comfort.

Moving into a new home is a lot of work but with some thought creating an effective, practical, and inexpensive work space shouldn't have to be.

Do's and Don'ts

DO ensure your workspace has:

Good lighting

Ventilation

A comfortable chair, but not too comfortable

A desk large enough to spread out your materials

Pens and pencils, paper, ruler, calculator, and whatever else you might need?if you use a computer for your work, it should be in your workspace

Ensure your workspace DOES NOT have:

A distracting view of other activities that you want to be involved in

A telephone (with the exception of an office phone)

A loud stereo

A television

A roommate/friend/family member who wants to talk a lot

A stocked refrigerator