Hang shelving and bulletin boards
Once you’ve established where to place your desk and other essentials, it’s time to get organized. Hang a bulletin board or corkboard directly where you can see it. Here, you can post reminders, a calendar, to-do lists and more. Of course, you can also store these items electronically on your computer or smartphone, but you’ll stay on task better if you can see them right in front of you.
Hang a series of shelves on the wall rather than using valuable floor space for a bookcase. The higher shelves can hold the items you use rarely, while the lower shelves can house everyday necessities. Keep things organized on the shelves by using various containers such as baskets, canvas or plastic bins, vertical trays and other storage components.
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Baby-proof
One of the tough aspects of setting up a home office when you have kids is that you need to baby- or toddler-proof the room if you have little ones. This is especially important if you are sharing a common space in the house. Take precautions so that your computer isn’t set up in a way that cords can be pulled, chewed on or unplugged. Also, bolt bookcases to the wall so that they can’t be toppled over. Any storage that you have within a child’s reach should be locked, including file cabinets.
Put up a clock
An important key to productivity when working from home is to keep office hours. Hang a clock on the wall where you can see it and stick your designated hours. Take breaks and a lunch hour, so you stay alert and productive.
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Invest in a chair
One of the best things you can do for yourself is to invest in a comfortable, ergonomically designed chair. The wrong chair can cause back problems and other health issues. Head to Office Depot or your local office furniture store and try out various chairs to find the right one for you.
Pretty up your office
If you are using a multi-purpose room for your home office, make your furniture and storage pieces attractive. An ottoman can be used as a coffee table and store paperwork in the compartment underneath. A bench can be used for extra seating and house wicker storage baskets underneath.
Pretty up your home office with art or photographs of your kids — you don’t want your work space to look like a sterile cubicle. Be flexible with your design. You may find after a week or two that moving your desk or hanging more shelves will make your home office more functional.
Also see: Mommy-tasking tips to make life a little easier for busy moms. >>
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