5 resourceful tips to setting up your home office:

1. First things first

Get all things and equipment in order. Remember, the most important items should go into the list first. What would you need most? Make a list - modem, laptop, facsimile, telephone, printer, desk, air conditioner, chair, lamp, drawers - then prioritize.

2. Choose functionality over design

Since it is your own office, you might be thinking to spend 2 days in IKEA showroom, come back with 2 tonnes of furniture, and start overhauling your room just to end up nothing like in the catalog. Worse, you now realize you don’t actually need half of the furniture you buy.

It’s pointless to have spanking new meeting table when no one will ever visit your office! Of course this does not mean you should never consider the design as the integral part of the whole process. Just don’t over do it.

3. No distraction, please

While many people out there are selling the idea how wonderful it is to work while watching their favorite TV channels (especially when they’re selling something), in truth, best of results come through focused effort and hard work. When you work, work hard. When you play, play hard. So keep all those distractions out of the office room. No TV, no hot plate, no play station, no personal calls during work. You’d probably want to put up the ‘No Entry Until 5pm’ signboard for your family to see.

4. Keep everything within reach

To reflect high productivity and projecting efficiency, everything you need must be within your reach. Initially, it is probably OK for you to stand up and walk 2 meters to answer the phone. Wait for 3 weeks, and then see how you feel. Consider other resources that will be handy in your daily work - the book shelf, the air-con remote, your phone charger, note pads, pens, so on and so forth.

5. Suit your own style

Your office set up should also suit your own style of working. A home based writer may prefer super-tidy environment, and cozy lighting. Only then ideas will start pouring in. On the other hand, a creative designer will have his tools, canvas, paint brushes all over a spacious room. But that is fine to him if that gets his butt working. So, choose your style, and stick to it.

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