By Lisa Kanarek
Home office furniture options vary from large to small, portable to permanent, lightweight to heavy duty and reliable to "you get what you pay for." Before you rush to furnish your new office or refurbish an existing one, consider a few questions.
Do You Want Or Need New Furniture?
Is your existing furniture fitting your needs? Do you have enough drawer space or filing space? If what you are using isn't necessarily stylish or appealing, yet functional, then stick with what you have until you absolutely can't stand it anymore. The main difference between wanting and needing furniture could mean the difference between upgrading your computer, fax or other equipment or having a nice looking office. Determine your priorities and needs, then decide if you need new furniture now or if you can postpone a furniture purchase for a while.
Have You Measured Twice, To Buy Once?
Before you head out the door to buy new furniture, measure your home office and determine what size and how much furniture it can hold. You may find the perfect desk, computer hutch or credenza, yet if the pieces are too big, your office may look more like a furniture store than an office.
You'll spend more time bumping into your desk and other office furniture, instead of working. Bring a tape measure and your office measurements with you when you shop and there will be no question that what you buy will fit inside your home office.
What Are Your Furniture Needs?
Take a close look at the furniture you already own and determine what's missing. Do you have enough filing space, drawer space, writing surface or room for your computer, printer, modem, fax, etc.? There is nothing wrong with improving the look of your office, so long as it will help you improve your productivity. If you're a pack rat, avoid a desk with more than two drawers. You'll only give yourself more places to stash items you don't need to keep. Is your computer equipment stuck in a corner of your office, perched between an old kitchen table and a well worn coffee table? Look for a computer stand with a hutch to hold all of your equipment and still leave you with surface room for writing or placing information before you enter it on your computer. Other options are a configuration that includes a desk, credenza and computer stand, or a desk with a return placed near a computer stand.
What Can You Afford?
Another factor to consider before you leave home is your current budget. You don't have to pay a fortune to furnish your office, but decide in advance if saving money is worth the aggravation and time spent fixing loose drawers, wobbly legs and unhinged cabinets. Remember the saying "You get what you pay for" and look for the best price, but don't forget quality. Look carefully at the floor models of the furniture you have in mind to see if they look worn or tattered. If so, you can bet that eventually the furniture will look the same way in your home office.
Is The Furniture Easy To Assemble?
You shouldn't have to be Bob Villa to assemble office furniture. Make sure that any furniture you buy has clear instructions. Look at the directions before you leave the store and don't be afraid to ask the salesperson for help if you don't understand the instructions. You may consider paying someone to put the furniture together. It all depends upon what your time and the ability to avoid frustration are worth to you.
Will Clients See Your Home Office?
If you will be the only one using and visiting your home office, don't waste valuable dollars on the latest furniture. Instead look for durability and reliability. Your furniture still can look good, but if you have a choice between an expensive piece and a reliable one, go for reliability. Also, don't feel pressured to replace existing furniture or completely furnish a new office. If money is tight, buy office furniture piece by piece as you can afford it, or gradually upgrade what you own. If you plan to invite clients to your home office, spend more money on higher-quality furnishings. Your office is a reflection of your business and a poorly furnished office sends an unprofessional message.
Does The Furniture Need To Be Portable?
Is your home office dedicated to being a home office or is it part of a guestroom or the family room? If you don't have to worry about being kicked out of your home office, then portability is not an issue. If on the other hand, each time your relatives visit, your office (and home) turns into a bed and breakfast, you'll need and probably want to put your equipment and files away, out of the reach of others. Various furniture manufacturers make cabinets with doors that close to conceal a writing surface, computer equipment and files. Also there are rolling computer carts that are easy to move when necessary and a few carts feature locks to protect your equipment and files. If you are going to move your furniture often, test each piece to make sure that it can be moved without falling apart.
The beauty of a home office is that it doesn't have to look like a corporate office with a huge oak desk and wall-to-wall filing cabinets. Instead your home office can reflect your personality and perhaps in the beginning, your budget. Finding the right office furniture involves knowing
what you want, what you need and what you can afford.
Home office expert Lisa Kanarek is the founder of HomeOfficeLife.com and the author of Organizing Your Home Office For Success (Blakely Press) and 101 Home Office Success Secrets (Career Press). |
