What are some "must have" features of a home office? And what are some design tips that you'd recommend?

I'm thinking of re-doing my home office. Currently, it's just a room with a small window and a cheap desk. It has a small closet, which I was thinking of opening up and turning into some sort of built-in cabinetry. I was thinking of having this cabinetry include a space for a small refrigerator (since my office is upstairs, and far from the kitchen), some filing space and maybe a countertop to put a coffee pot (though I wouldn't go through the trouble of adding plumbing for a sink in there). I'd also like to put down hardwood flooring and build some custom bookshelves.

Also, currently I have my desk against a wall facing away from the entrance. I'd like to turn it around so that it faces the entryway, but since this is where my PC sits, I wonder if this would look bad when people walk into the room and see the back of the monitor(s) and all of the cables.

Thoughts?

 

Well I guess it would be safe to ask what type of home office are we talking about? What kind of business are you in?

I asked because if you're day trading I'd recommend a wall of LCD's, if you're pushing paperwork that's obviously overkill. Keep the kitchen out of your work space, the last thing you want is extra distractions and food/drink is certainly one. Also and I don't mean this in a rude way, your time isn't so precious where you can't walk downstairs to take a breather from your work; at the very least its mentally healthy.

When you say people walking in and being ugly, are we talking clients or just random people? If you have clients you probably want your desks 3/4s into the middle of the room, back facing the 1/4th space wall, and out of the way from entrance viewing.

 

To answer your questions: I'm a software engineer and I just use the home office occasionally for working from home. Its primary use is still personal, but I do want a better space for working. My concern about appearance is only with respect to guests in my home, not clients, etc.

I currently have a single 24" LCD monitor, but I'll probably add 1 or 2 more during the process, just to extend my workspace. I'm also thinking of putting a TV on the wall that I can watch from my desk, for the times that I'm sitting in there and I want to watch sports or something while I'm surfing the web or sitting on a boring conference call. While it is used as my home office, I want it to be designed more for my own personal use, comfort and enjoyment.

I liked the idea of having the coffee pot in the office because this past week when I was doing on-line training at home, we didn't always get a long enough break to brew & pour my cuppa, so it would've been nice if I could have the coffee pot located closer so I wouldn't have to really step away from my office to get a fill or refill. Plus, since I do 24 hour support, if I get called to work an issue in the middle of the night, it would be nice to be able to just press the brew button and have it ready to go while I'm working on the outage.

 

Oh ok well nvm then, so it's basically your play room that you work in sometimes. That changes things a lot. I figured you were spending 8-10 hrs in this man cave

 

I'm in a similar spot- spare bedroom in my house, has become my home office when I'm working from home, but its also my home PC room and where I keep my projects and hobby stuff.

My room is about 17x12. One end is a large window, and the other is one full width closet (about 2 feet deep).

I turned the entire close into storage. Effectively, 4 columns of shelves, adjustable. Office supplies, Home supplies, my camera gear, hobbies, etc.. With a few extra shelves for flexibility, I can rearrange for just about anything I need to store.

On one of the long walls, my GF and has her desk, and mine is a wraparound down the rest of that side and across the window. A matching file cabinet is next then a small table to hold a printer. Going up the other long wall, a few book cases then finally a 6' table for collection of papers, items, whatever.

I really don't have any other convenience items. A portable phone lets me walk around and get a drink, hit the bathroom or whatever. I don't have a TV in there, that would be a huge distraction for me. I do keep my home PC on with media player for music while I'm on my work PC.

 

I wouldnt put any food or drink in your office, or you will never leave. the only time i leave my home office is to get coffee, lunch or use the restroom. i do have a water dispenser, as that is healthy, and i have been trying to drink more of it.

also, i like to face the window as well as have a sighline of the door, but that is only because i have glass double doors.

when i first started working at home, i tried to do it cheaply, but i soon realized that everything i owned is being paid for by the work in my office, so i decided to upgrade and make sur ei was comfortable and able to do the work i needed. the less organized and comfortable you are, the more you will be in your office trying to finish the same workload.

one more thing. DONT let your wife start moving things to the office as an easy way to clean up clutter.