Home Office Essentials Buying Guide

Today the majority of people have some form of a home office.   Some people have enough space to dedicate an entire room to their office, while others only have enough space to have a desk,  chair,  and computer.   Before you begin to set up your home office, make sure it is an area that is conducive to working and is quiet enough to allow you to concentrate. Also, it's a good idea to think about your budget before purchasing all of your supplies--this way you won't go crazy buying extra items you can't afford. No matter where or how you choose to set up, here are some items essential to the home office setting.

The Basics

You need these in just about any office, so make sure you are prepared.

Office Desk  When picking out a desk, there are a few factors to consider: How much room do I need? Do I need a lot of drawers and extra storage? Will my computer fit comfortably on this desktop? What kind of material am I looking for in a desk? For example, wooden,  glass,  plastic,  etc.	Office Chairs  Picking out a good office chair is important. You want to be comfortable in it and know that it can be adjusted for your height. You also want to pick one that will hit the right place on your back and provide enough support  so that you can sit in it all day. Don't be afraid to try a few chairs before deciding on the one that you want.	Desktop  or Laptop Computer  Before setting up your office, chances are that you will already own a computer. If not, make sure you pick out one that will contain the features you need and will not take up more space than your desk provides. Most computers sold today are Internet compatible, so your next step would be to make sure you have a decent connection, this way you can get work done without worrying about your session timing out.	Surge Protector  A surge protector is another important item to have before setting up your home office. It allows you to plug multiple machines in at once, which is especially ideal for desktop computers. It will also protect all these electronic devices by evenly providing power for each machine.	Printer  In order for any home office to operate successfully, a printer is a good item to have. Faxes  and scanners  are also useful when sending important documents and copying items. Also, consider purchasing a printer stand  if you find that you need a separate device to hold your electronic items.

Office Supplies  Make sure you have the little odds and ends that go with managing an office, including stationary  and writing tools. And don't forget items that you use everyday, such as paper clips,  a stapler,  folders,  and USB drives  for storing important documents.	Phone  Having a cell phone  is great for keeping in contact with your co-workers or clients, but make sure to have your own personal business line in your home office. This way, even if you are on your cell phone, you know that your business line will not be tied up.	Lighting  Having good lighting in your office is crucial when getting your work done. Besides a bright overhead light, you will want to make sure that you have a desk lamp or two for working nighttime hours. Also, make sure that you position your desk near a window for optimum brightness during the daytime.

More Items

Now that you've taken care of the basics, think about these other products to equip your home office.

Safe  A safe is a great place to put your crucial papers where you can be sure they will be protected and you won't lose them. Most safes are either waterproof or fire proof as well to guarantee maximum security of your documents.	Coat Hooks  Maybe you intend to have guests or clients visit your home office, in which case you want to be able to provide them somewhere to place their coat. Coat hooks that can be inserted into the wall or even coat racks  are useful for this purpose.	Filing Platform  These are useful because they can be placed anywhere on your desk and provide a large amount of space to file your papers. Also, these platforms enable you to have easy access to your files without moving away from your desk.	Footrest  You're working out of your home, so why not get comfy? A footrest can help to alleviate back pressure while keeping your feet elevated. Also consider a heated footrest  for those rainy or cold days.	Book Case and Storage Solutions  There are tons of efficient ways to store files in your office while taking up minimal room.  Consider a vertical  or lateral filing cabinet  with as many drawers as you need. Also, if you have the room, large scale wire shelving  can be useful for holding heavy items.

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