Locating Your Home Office

Once your space is designed and built, it may be too late to decorate without making adjustments. It is far better to think about finishes, surfaces, materials, furniture, and equipment as you plan. Carpeting requires a different kick molding from tile; window treatments depend on whether your windows open in, out, or up. The more you can settle before you start, the less likely you'll need to make costly changes while work is in progress.

Finally, consider your home office as either "dedicated" or "non-dedicated" space. Dedicated space is set aside for your exclusive use as a home office and is not used for anything else. For a home business with a multi-person staff, dedicated space is nearly essential.

Space that is not dedicated-such as a spare bedroom that doubles as an office and a guest room-obviously works best as an office if the second use only occasional. If you only require a home office occasionally, or if the time that you use it is highly discretionary, it may fit best in a nook off the living room or other semipublic area of the house.

If you have any questions or suggestions regarding our design tips, please send your comments via our on-line guest book.