Approximately 46 million Americans worked at home at least part-time during 1995, according to Builder magazine. That 1995 survey also revealed that 54 percent of households have home offices, and 70 percent of households with home offices contain personal computers, as well.

Our telecommuting and home-based business population continues to rise, and its membership comprises not just empty-nesters who have established work histories and the leverage to request telecommuting privileges. A large segment of "techno-nerds" is on the rise -- a group of young professionals on the cutting edge of technology who either telecommute or sell their marketable skills on a consulting basis. (See Agent News' Jan. 30 story, "Emerging Buyer Profiles: Who Will Dominate Tomorrow's Market?".)

If you've just joined the ranks of home-based workers, or you're looking to redesign your home office, several critical design factors will determine how happy you are in your surroundings.

United Design Associates, Inc. recommends the following guidelines for setting up your own home office.

1. Identify the office equipment you need, including personal computers, printers, fax machines, answering machines, telephones, and copiers.

2. If you need a conference table or sitting area to meet with clients or co-workers, add those items to the list of typical furniture including desks, chairs, and bookshelves.

3. Lay out your basic office design in a 10' to 12' by 14' long room, taking into consideration the importance of glass and natural light throughout any living space.

4. Remember that when it comes time to resell your home, your home office may be presented as a guest bedroom to potential buyers. With that in mind, it's a good idea either to station your office near an existing full bathroom, or if you're designing a new home, include a full bath in an adjacent location that can be used by clients.

5. If the office is on ground level, a separate client entry may be designed to provide privacy. Conversely, with a second-floor location, client interaction becomes more cumbersome.

6. A perimeter location can help insulate the office from noise and also reduce the impact of any visual clutter from inside the home.

7. Adequate lighting is vital -- it establishes a healthy if not serious work environment. If using fluorescent fixtures, opt for parabolic grilles to reduce glare.

8. Provide a dedicated separate circuit with 15 to 20 amps of service. A separate ground is another precaution that will isolate your office equipment from home appliances.

9. Install adequate telephone and data lines. Include cable into the office area, as it might one day serve as your primary conduit to the Internet.

10. Design large workspace surfaces and adjacent areas to allow for maximum flexibility and comfort.

11. Allow for ample cabinet and file storage space. The typical rule of thumb is a four-drawer file cabinet per person per year.

Check out the following Web sites for more helpful tips on designing your home office:

The Home Office Furniture Shopping Mall

BeHOME Home Office

Workspace Resources

Published: March 4, 1998

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