A space to create

It's important to carve out a little room in life for quiet contemplation, concentration and creation. Working from home can provide great flexibility, comfort and an opportunity to inject personal touches that wouldn't be welcome in a corporate office environment. Even if you don't work from home professionally, it can be beneficial to find a little corner in your house conducive to reading, journaling, pouring over magazines and photos, writing birthday cards or working on craft projects.

A place like this should have a positive effect on you and your life, whether it helps you to feel stimulated, relaxed, inspired or organized. The space doesn't need to be large. In fact, you could take over a little corner in a hallway, a guest room or even a closet if you don't have an extra room. Find a comfy chair, scented candle, soft throw, and a large coffee or tea cup and surround yourself with colors that make you feel good.

Design ideas:

Use a cabinet to create a contained, organized desk area or find a quiet corner to place an L-shaped desk

Use a dining room or guest room to double as an office when they're not being used

Office organization:

Fabric French memory boards

Buy similar ones online at http://www.target.com/ or create your own using an easel, fabric of your choice, push pins and ribbon.

Ballard Designs
2 pocket embossed organizer; $49.00

http://www.ballarddesigns.com/


Drop lid secretary desk and carved drop front secretary desk both from Comfort House

http://www.comforthouse.com/

silver raffia desk accessories from Williams Sonoma Home

http://www.wshome.com/

Ballard Designs cafe shelving

Diamond ring paperweight available at http://www.daisy-days.com/

HGTV.com offers the following tips for setting up an efficient home office:

Organize Office Materials

Do you need to combine a workspace in your family or living room? Professional organizer Vicki Norris shares her tips to help you get the job done.

1. Invest in adequate furniture.

Offices need a clear work area, and that means providing adequate space for computer hardware and peripheral equipment, a spot for reference materials, file space and a location for frequently referenced supplies and paper. Make sure your office furniture provides ample space for work and storage.

2. Establish activity centers.The efficient office should be zoned into activity areas:

The Work Center, which includes a clear workspace, the computer and frequently-used office products.
The Reference Center, which includes binders, manuals, dictionary and professional books and materials.
The Supply Center, which contains office and paper supplies.

3. Properly place the hardware and peripherals.
Position your equipment by frequency of use. If the printer is used daily, it should be within easy reach. If the CPU is only accessed for troubleshooting, it can be placed under or next to the desk. If a scanner is rarely used, it can be placed outside the work area.
When setting up hardware, be conscious of access to drives, trays and cords. Don't block access to drawers or take up leg room with tangled cords.

4. Establish a paper processing area.
Create an area within your Work Center for papers that need immediate action.
Store paper associated with clients or ongoing projects in an area that is easily accessible and within your view.
Establish a permanent filing system for papers you will reference, but not on a regular basis.

Conceal Cables and Wires