Tips on Making Over A Home Office
(NewsUSA) - Most people have some type
of a home office. Whether it's used for work, managing household finances or
helping the kids with homework, there is usually a room designated for a
computer, printer, filing cabinet and other office supplies.
If you haven't spent much time planning your home office, you may wind up
with a cramped, cluttered, uncomfortable space that simply doesn't inspire
productivity. Genevieve Gorder of TLC's "Trading Spaces" has a few tips for
getting your home office in workable condition:
* Start from scratch. Clear out your entire office and paint it a fresh color
that inspires you or makes you feel focused. Stay away from reds and blues;
choose energizing greens, comforting golds or pale yellows. Color is a bold and
inexpensive way to transform a room.
* Organize. When it comes to organizing, think modular, so you can move
pieces around to suit your various needs and create more desk space. Determine
which items you will need easy access to and arrange them accordingly. Bins and
boxes are great for storing the things you're not using all the time and give
the room a clean and organized look.
* Declutter your desktop. This applies to your virtual desktop as well as
your physical one. A recent survey by Harris Interactive revealed that 61
percent of PC owners are more likely to store their music, photos and other
personal files on their computer rather than anywhere else in their house.
However, it can be frustrating if the information you need isn't easy to locate
because you've forgotten the file name or the folder where it's stored.
Software is available to help you search, organize and store digital photos,
music, financial files and more. For example, a technology called Windows
Desktop Search searches your personal computer the way a search engine searches
the Internet, finding files and documents anywhere on your PC, within several
different applications, based on a simple word or phrase. It also provides
advanced Web browsing features and automatic form fill. It is available as a
free download at http://desktop.msn.com.
* Install soothing lighting. Stay away from harsh, fluorescent lights. Lamps
and dimmer switches help create a comfortable, inviting work space.
* Choose comfortable furniture. Consider an ergonomic chair that won't strain
your back over the course of a busy day.
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