Choosing Your Office Space

• 1). Locate a room or space that provides a fair amount of privacy; this is an important part to achieving a professional work setting. Although there are many considerations to make when building a simple computer workplace, the most important decision is where your office space will be located.
  
  
• 2). Choose a space that will be used exclusively for your work, eliminating possible disruptions that may occur otherwise. Windows located in your workspace can be a source of inspiration and provide the best light for your office during the day, but they can also be a cause of distractions.
  
  
• 3). Decide on a work area where there is adequate space for you to have plenty of elbowroom to spread out or in a compact working space where everything you need is nearby--whichever is your personal preference. Since this is a computer workspace, ensure that wired or wireless Internet access is available in the work area. Because you will be relying on Internet access, it is advisable to always have a backup plan. The workspace chosen needs to suit the demands of your work, match your personal work style and budget, and most importantly, be located where you will want to work.
  
  

Outfitting Your Office Space

• 1). Choose the furniture for your office space with comfort in mind. Comfort, more than aesthetics, is more critical to the productivity of your work.
  
  
• 2). Approach selecting the desk, chair and other key office furnishings as if the piece were a garment, a proper fit, proportioned to fit the person who is using it. Select your desk based on three simple characteristics: height, width and style. Although, the ideal surface height for writing is generally 30 inches off the ground, computer surfaces are usually 26 inches high. The size of your work area should be taken into account when determining the width of your desk. A large desk will overcrowd and overpower a small space. The style of the desk also affects how large the desk seems.
  
  
• 3). Test-drive the office chair before purchasing it. Sit in it to evaluate the back, the seat and the arms. Although comfort is the main concern, make sure the back of the chair provides the proper support for the base of the spine, and the backrest is high enough to allow you to relax against it. The seat should be made of a rough porous fabric that enables the body to dissipate heat, and the arms of the chair need to be low enough to easily fit under the desk and sturdy enough to wear well and resist soiling.
  
  

Computer and Computer-Related Equipment

• 1). Research and plan your computer system and the other related computer equipment before purchasing them. Surf the web, ask the advice of a computer geek and go to your neighborhood electronics store to educate yourself on what type of systems are available. Take your time in selecting your system--it is important to select a system that you can grow into. Selecting a system that does not have ample storage or memory will only end up costing you more to replace down the road.
  
  
• 2). Educate yourself on which software and printer will enable you to best perform your work. Surfing the Internet and sending and receiving e-mails will require a DSL line and modem. Contact your local telephone or cable company about the options available to you.
  
  
• 3). Purchase accessories and supplies that will improve the efficiency of your office. Sometimes the little things can save you the most time and energy. You can purchase most of these items at office superstores or via the Internet.