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Measure the
space
Home office
furniture varies widely in scale, so the first step anyone should
take is to measure the room, or the space within a multi-function
room, it will be placed in. Don't forget to measure the doorways.
Many furniture returns are made because the furniture can't be
moved into its intended room. Try laying things out with an online
room planner to get an idea of how you want to set up the space.
Power and
Connectivity
Next, consider
whether or not there are outlets, phone jacks, or internet ports
access in the immediate area and plan your furniture placement
accordingly. You will save yourself a lot of frustration if you
plan for these necessities in advance. Attention to this detail
will also allow you to line up power strips, battery backups
and the like before you put the furniture in its place. Otherwise
you may end up doing a contortionist act to plug in your computer.
Work style
Are you the
organized and efficient type who prefers to work in a space that
keeps everything in it place? Then you might do well with a tidy
computer armoire or an office in a box with storage capacity
and compartments, but not a lot of counter space. Or perhaps
you like to spread things out to get the big picture. If this
is your work style you might be better served with a full desk
and a return.
Capacity
What equipment
do you use in your home office? Is your computer a laptop or
a tower? Is your printer a compact inkjet or a hefty laser printer?
Take inventory of your equipment before you go shopping so that
you can find the furniture to house it all. It's also a good
idea to measure your equipment in advance. Computer hardware
and peripherals have gotten smaller and smaller with each new
model. So if, for example, your printer is more than a couple
of years old, it's probably bigger than the newest models on
the market, and it may not fit into a printer cubby on a new
computer armoire.
As you inventory
your components, you might want to check the ventilation requirements
for the equipment. Excess heat can impair the operation of electronics,
so you want to make sure that cooling fans will not be blocked
in your new office furniture.
The best furniture
designed for the home office will have built-in features that
make it easy to set up your workstation. Cord access holes are
essential to modern home office furniture; look for finishing
touches of wood, metal or plastic grommets around cord access
punch-outs. Many designs also incorporate cord management systems
that neatly tuck them away so you won't be left in a tangle.
Newer innovations include built-in recharging stations for cell
phones, PDAs and other electronics.
Keyboard trays
have become a common feature in home office furniture. Many times
they are masked by false, drop-down drawer fronts. In addition
to keyboard trays, pull-out platforms for scanners, printers
and fax machines can improve a workstation's functionality.
There are many
options available in home office furniture today, scaled for
different needs and different spaces. In addition to looking
at your needs for computer storage, be sure to consider storage
for all the little stuff that goes with it. Do you have tons
of disks and CDs stacked around your computer now? If so, then
you might want to look for home office furniture that offers
built-in disk storage areas.
Workspace
We all need
a space to sit down, pay the bills and check e-mail. But some
of us do much more in our home offices. Workspaces can be customized
to fit your work style and available space.
A desk is what
we immediately think of when we conceive of a home office. At
its most basic, it offers a broad level surface on which to work.
No matter the style, a desk's functionality can be increased
with the addition of other components.
A return attaches
perpendicularly to one end of a desk to create an "L"
shaped workspace. If you like to spread things out while you
are working, a return can keep you from dropping stacks of stuff
on the floor. A return can also increase your storage capacity
with additional drawer space.
A hutch sits
on top of a desk, against a wall, for additional storage. Open
shelves or cabinet doors usually frame the space around a computer
monitor. A hutch with built-in lighting should shed light on
the task at hand without aggravating computer screen glare. In
addition to added storage, a hutch can bring character to your
home office.
A corner desk
is a great way to make use of what would normally be wasted space.
They work particularly well in rooms with multiple functions,
such as family rooms or bedrooms.
Home office
wall systems are a great option when you want to make a dramatic
statement. Desk, hutch, and return can be combined with bookshelves,
cabinets, and lateral files for great functionality and good
looks.
Lateral file cabinets have become increasingly popular in home
offices. They offer more capacity than traditional two-drawer
cabinets and since they are broader than they are deep, the contents
are easier to access. Rising half the height of a full-sized
traditional file cabinet, a lateral file can provide an additional
work surface. Lateral files can also be fitted with a hutch for
book storage above. Many new designs disguise the purpose of
the file cabinet by making them look like a small chest of drawers.
A computer armoire or an office in a box are both great alternatives
when your home office is located in a multifunction room. In
addition to hiding away computer clutter when not in use, many
have built-in extra features to help organize your workspace.
Chalk boards, dry erase boards and bulletin boards fit neatly
on to doors. Mail-sorting cubbies, paper storage and CD / disk
storage keep your supplies in order. Some armoires incorporate
built-in lighting. Lights should illuminate without aggravating
computer screen glare. If you like to spread things out when
you work and are concerned that an armoire won't offer enough
space, try looking at one with a fold-up or swing-out return.
It's sort of like a Murphy bed of desks: a whole table tucks
away until you need it for an additional work surface.
Ergonomic is
not synonymous with ugly. With the rise of telecommuting, home
office furnishings have moved towards attractive designs that
are intended for daily use. If you will be spending large amounts
of time working in your home office, be sure that it not only
fits your home's decor, but fits your body too. Try it out in
the store: sit down and go through the motions you regularly
go through in your work. Are you sitting in an awkward position?
Do you feel any strain in your arms, shoulders, back or wrists?
If so, look elsewhere.
Seating
While you are
furnishing your home office, don't forget to pick up an office
chair. If you spend a lot of time on the computer at home, be
sure that the chair fits your body as well as your style. There
are two primary categories of office seating: executive chair
and task chair.
Executive chairs
are larger in scale and have arms that are usually attached to
the seat and the back. While the height of an executive chair
is often adjustable, the back is not. Executive chairs also frequently
incorporate tilt features. A column tilt pivots the back and
seat from the middle of the seat. A knee tilt pivots the back
and seat from a point closer to the front of the chair; a knee
tilt leans back farther than a column tilt while keeping the
knees in relatively the same position.
Task chairs
are generally smaller in scale and consist of a seat and back;
armrests are optional and, when present, are usually connected
to the seat only. The height of the seat and the back are often
adjustable on task chairs. Task chairs may or may not tilt.
A chair that
will be used by more than one person should have adjustable height
controls. Ideal seating positions the thighs between 90 and 105
degrees to the back. The back should be well supported. Thighs
should be supported and square with the floor, and feet should
rest comfortably on the floor. A rolling chair should have five
sturdy casters so that it will not tip when you lean one direction
or another.
Bad construction,
like any case good purchase, you will want to look for the following
structural details before you buy. Overall, the piece should
be sturdy and should not wobble when rocked. Corner blocks should
be used to insure the stability of the piece and levelers will
help to make sure that all the doors and drawers line up correctly.
Drawers should
be constructed with dovetail joints for strength and stability.
The drawers should move easily on their glides and should have
stops to prevent overextension. Good quality glides will use
ball bearings or nylon wheels to make it easier to move the drawer.
Drawers for file storage should have compound glides for full
access to the drawer contents.
Doors should
fit well and should not have any visible gaps. They should be
easy to open and should not squeak or rub. Doors on computer
armoires should have sturdy hinges and should open wide enough
for easy access.
© Weiss
Furniture, Inc. 2008
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