Design: Stylish home offices

It's estimated that as many as half of all small businesses are home-based. And more and more employees are spending at least some of their work hours in the comfort of their own homes.

Not surprisingly, then, the home office has evolved well beyond a desk in the corner of the bedroom from which to type out a few e-mails. Dedicated rooms are now required to support breadwinners and entrepreneurs alike. When they're set up with an eye toward organization and style, home offices make their users more comfortable, efficient and productive.

THEY MEAN BUSINESS

Too often, a home office is a mishmash of furniture taken from other rooms in the house, and that's a major mistake. Although most home offices aren't used for client meetings or even intended for outside visitors, that doesn't mean they should skimp on executive style. In fact, a home office should look like an office, not like a room in a house that's being used as an office.

HOW DO YOU WORK?

One of your first considerations when designing a home office is how you work. If your work requires looking at plans or preparing reports, then a wide-open work space is critical. If you spend lots of time on the computer, avoid the tendency to turn the desk toward a wall. While convenient for using power outlets, that arrangement can make you feel boxed in and like you're in a cubicle instead of an office.

YOU'LL NEED SPACE

Be sure to have adequate storage, with as many cabinets, drawers and bookshelves as you need. Select closed cabinetry to make the office look neater and reduce visual clutter. Open shelves are nice, but they quickly become cluttered and make an office look messy.

WORK COMFORTABLY

Most office work is done while seated, so a quality desk chair is an important purchase. Select a comfortable one that supports your arms, neck and back. Another key seating requirement is a chair or sofa for visitors, even if your only visitor is your kid stopping in after school to talk about homework. A sleeper sofa will give you seating and can do double duty for overnight guests. If you spend lots of time at the computer, consider adding a footrest under the desk. Lastly, make sure to test the keyboard drawer before buying any office furniture. Many beautiful - and expensive - desks aren't really suited for heavy computer use, so test this feature thoroughly before making the investment.

THE SMART OFFICE

Your office should be a space that works for you, so make sure you arrange your office thoughtfully. If you rarely talk on the phone, consider placing the phone on a credenza behind you. The same goes for files. This will free up more open space on your desk. Lighting is another important factor. Turn the computer monitor so the back of the monitor faces a window to reduce glare and give you a view. Be sure to include task and ambient lighting to reduce eyestrain.