Imagine rolling out of bed, fixing some coffee, getting the kids ready for school and out the door, and then sitting down to work. No commuting, no ironing your suit jacket - no showering if you really don't feel like it. Sounds pretty nice. A lot of people think so too: Home offices are springing up everywhere. But even if your entire livelihood does not center around it, chances are you and your family could use a space dedicated to your computer and home-business activity. You could probably just plunk down your computer anywhere and call it a home office, but with a little consideration and pre-planning, you can create an ideally functioning office tailored to your needs.

To find the optimal space in your house to anchor your home office, it helps to first figure out the primary purpose it will serve. If you plan to run a full-time business, a quiet area, separated from major household traffic is probably best: one end of a spacious bedroom, a spare bedroom, a basement or attic, or an unused walk-in closet. If you will meet clients in your office, consider designating a separate entrance to spare them a tour of your personal space. But if your office will function for business only occasionally, or for personal finances and the kid's homework, the kitchen, den, or living room can be a convenient location for one or more family members to gather.

Now it's time to set up your space. The kind and amount of furniture you need will again depend on the intended uses. Running your primary business will most likely require a bigger desk and ample storage in the form of bookcases, file cabinets, and surfaces for your equipment (computer, printer, fax) and work (papers, folders). It also usually requires more equipment. The basics include a computer, printer, and backup system. And, depending on the type of business you conduct, a fax, a scanner, and a copier may also be useful. You may also need additional phone lines and a voice mail system. In this case, you will definitely need enough electrical outlets sufficiently protected against surges, which will pass through electrical circuits, as well as phone lines and cable and satellite hookups. A multi-outlet surge suppressor is probably your best solution, found at home improvement or supply stores.

Offices focusing on family use don't require anything fancy or large and can be chosen according to your decorating tastes and specific task needs. Either way, consider installing built-in desks and shelves; they take up less floor space, spare you the cost of office furniture, and contain everything neatly into one area.

The placement of your furniture and equipment can be just as important as what kind you purchase. For those who will spend extended periods of time at their desk, many experts recommend facing the desk toward the door to avoid being startled by people coming in unexpectedly. Reduce glare on your screen by tilting your monitor slightly below eye level, and making sure windows are positioned to the sides.

The placement of artificial light is also crucial. In general, it should be soft and diffuse, coming from several sources. Table lamps should be placed beside or behind and to the side of your monitor, but never over or in front of it. Those with adjustable arms and three-way bulbs or dimmers are perfect. Interestingly, it is best to place the lamp to your right if you are left-handed or to your left if you are right-handed. (The same is true of the placement of phones.) Similarly, floor lamps and track lighting should be positioned so as not to produce glare.

Another factor not usually considered by the home office set is ergonomics, or the science of exactly fitting furniture and equipment to your body to reduce the risks of injury and fatigue. Try to orchestrate a workstation that puts everything within easy reach. An L-shaped design serves this purpose well, and a U-shaped area works even better. A chair whose back, arms, and seat adjust can be positioned exactly to your body, eliminating back, neck, arm, and leg strain. Ideal posture places your ears, shoulders, and hips in vertical alignment, with arms bent at the elbows 90 degrees.

By addressing these various issues, you can create the ideal home work environment that you can both be productive in and take comfort in. Listed below are some resources to help you on your way.

Resources

Organizing Your Home Office for Success, by Lisa Kanarek (1993) $10.00 (Plume, 800.526.0275)

Working From Home, by Paul and Sarah Edwards (1993) $14.95 (Putnam, 800.788.6262)

U.S. West Home Office Resource Guide, U.S. West (U.S. West Home Office Consultants, 800.898.WORK (9675))