Small business: Organizing home-office space

Being a home-based entrepreneur has its advantages, but it also can get tricky when it comes to finding the right space to work.

You don't want to lose any valuable living space, but you also don't want to be stuffed into some crowded, cramped corner closet.

The type of home office environment you set up will directly affect your work flow and overall attitude, say experts. At the end of the day, the more functional and organized you keep the space, the more productive you'll be.

"You don't want to cheat yourself out of a reasonable, comfortable, functional space," says Alice Price, president of Organize Long Island, a professional organizer in West Islip, who is home-based.

This means having both a well-situated and organized office environment, she notes.

When scouting for your home office, break loose from room labels, suggests Linda Varone, author of "The Smarter Home Office" (Great Meadows Publishing; $12.50) and president of TheSmarterHome Office.com in Boston. A guest room or a dining room can easily be turned into an office, particularly if it's being underutilized year-round, she notes.

Try to be in a space that will inspire you, she notes. If possible, steer clear of the bedroom because an office in that space can make restful sleep more difficult to attain, and the basement, which can be dark and dreary, she notes.

Look for opportunities to take advantage of any natural light within your office space, and if possible, situate your desk near a window, suggests Varone.

Having a bird's-eye view of the outside can truly be inspiring, notes Debra Cohen, president of Home Remedies of NY Inc. in Hewlett, a referral service that connects homeowners with contractors.

When she started her home-based business in 1997, she was relegated to the basement because that's where her children's playroom was. Thankfully, nine years ago she was able to convert her front porch into a spacious home office with outside views. She had a custom L- shaped desk made to fit the space, as well as an office armoire with built-in file cabinets.

"Psychologically, I was sick of being in the basement," Cohen said. "Just being able to be above ground and look outside each day is so much more enjoyable."

Keeping organized is a top priority for Cohen. "I'm very efficient about keeping things out of the way," she notes.

Less is more, explains Lisa Kanarek, the Dallas-based author of "Home Office Solutions" (Quarry Books; $15.99) and founder of Working Naked.com, an online resource for home-based workers and entrepreneurs. Limit the number of accessories, especially on your desk, she says. And if you need more storage space, consider sturdy shelves or tall bookcases, she notes.

Just don't overcrowd your space with too much furniture, says Kanarek. Price suggests considering rolling file cabinets, which can store files in unseen places like a closet.

File what you're not using and limit desk clutter. "At the end of the day, always clear your desk," says Price. "Have a place for everything."

What to avoid

• Trying to organize the way a friend or associate does. Getting and staying organized works only if you make it fit your working style.

• Buying too many organizing products. At some point, the products get in the way of creating an efficient home office.

• Lacking sufficient storage space (i.e. bookcases, shelving, etc).

• Not fully utilizing all available furniture. For example, the top of a lateral file cabinet can double as a surface for a printer or copier.

• Not putting objects away when you're finished with them. It takes only minutes to put something away, and you'll save time in the long run and avoid clutter overload.

Source: Lisa Kanarek (for more tips on home office efficiency, check out workingnaked.com/2010/08/02/10-ways-to-boost-your-home-office-efficiency/)