| Standing in the space that will soon be your home | | | | shelving or store bought storage cabinets work |
| office may feel a little strange at this point. Most likely, it | | | | wonderfully. Keep books, extra office supplies and |
| just looks like a lot of work. But if you handle things | | | | other such items accessible but out of your way. |
| right, it can be a fun and very rewarding experience. | | | | It is a good idea to try to keep all computer-related |
| Be honest with yourself about what you really need | | | | things near the computer, telephone directories near |
| versus what you really want. These decisions will | | | | the telephone, and so on. If this is not possible, set up a |
| affect both the use of your space and your budget. A | | | | centrally located storage centre and pay extra |
| simple two-drawer metal filing cabinet from a | | | | attention to organizing it well. |
| department store costs under $50. A base on wheels | | | | In a home office, where space is really at a premium, |
| can be purchased for about $15 and if you need more | | | | creativity is the key. Not only can it help you save |
| than two drawers, you can stack one cabinet on top | | | | money, but it can add a personal touch to your office. |
| of another. A wood lateral filing cabinet is a real find at | | | | A revolving spice rack with eight jars (about $25) is a |
| under $250 and takes up almost three times the floor | | | | perfect solution for storing paper clips, elastics, thumb |
| space. Make a list of all the things (not furniture) that | | | | tacks, staples... Mini clothes pins (about 15 for $1) can |
| will go into your office, and how each item can be | | | | be strung on a cord and hung (on a wall, side of a |
| kept. Very often offices end up with too many options | | | | desk...) to hold memos, thank you cards from clients, |
| for keeping the same items. Purchasing based on | | | | family photos, etc... A small black- or white-board near |
| thought out needs will keep your costs down, | | | | the phone for note taking can save you tons of paper |
| maximize your space, and help keep you organized. | | | | each month -- plus when you get off the phone, you're |
| Make a plan of your office on a piece of graph paper. | | | | more likely to rewrite your notes in the right place |
| Draw each piece of furniture that you are | | | | rather than misplacing small papers that you had |
| contemplating, or have, on another piece of graph | | | | scribbled on. |
| paper at the same scale -- for example, 4 squares = 1 | | | | Poor planning and impulse shopping tend to be costly. |
| foot. Cut the furniture out and play with the placement | | | | For furniture and other large items, look into purchasing |
| on the floor plan. Here are some tips for a successful | | | | second-hand. For smaller items be sure to compare |
| layout: | | | | prices between office supply stores and large |
| > Do not have your computer monitor facing the | | | | department stores. Smaller accessories can |
| window. The glare will be unbearable. | | | | sometimes even be found in dollar stores. Most |
| > To make the room look larger, locate the largest | | | | importantly, don't forget to look in your storage room, |
| (especially the highest) furniture farthest from the door | | | | attic or basement for things that can be used in your |
| or entry. | | | | office that you may have even forgotten you have! |
| > If you have a computer desk and another desk or | | | | A final note: If you are interested in purchasing |
| work surface, try to have them back-to-back with | | | | second-hand items, or if you have things you no longer |
| about 2 feet in between, or in an "L" configuration so | | | | use and live in the Greater Montreal area, a booklet |
| that you will only require one chair. | | | | titled "The Reuse and Recycling Directory" is available |
| > A drawing/drafting table, or desk for doing detailed | | | | at most city halls. It is published annually and it is |
| work of any sort, should have the window it's left if | | | | organized by region, and lists which items which places |
| you are right-handed, or vice versa if you are a lefty. | | | | buy, accept, sell, and more. |
| This will minimize shadows on your work. | | | | Look for Part 3 of this 4-part series: Style and Colour |
| > Use closets as storage space. Either wall-mount | | | | for the Home Office. |