ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, March 31, 1996 TAG: 9604040010
SECTION: BETTER HOMES PAGE: BH-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: JOANNE ANDERSON
An estimated 60 million people are predicted to be working at home either full time or part time by the end of the year. That definitely spells r-e-v-e-n-u-e for businesses involved in any aspect of home office equipment and furnishings.
A 1994 report published in Inc. magazine relates that self-employed professionals who own a personal computer earn an average of $70,000 and work part time or full time in a home office.
Many people think of the home office tax deduction when they consider having a home office. Certified public accountant Michael B. Cooke of Blacksburg says there may be ``significant tax advantages'' to having a home office. But he strongly advises checking with your tax advisor for details. Each situation is unique, and Congress is changing rules about home offices all the time.
Three of the most important factors to address for creating a home office are lifestyle, space and furnishings and equipment.
A home office should be a place, however small, where you have the basic equipment you need to perform your work. The makeshift office on the kitchen table works only for a short time and only if you do very little work at home unless, of course, no one in your household cares about using the kitchen or how it looks.
In the long run, however, makeshift arrangements are not likely to keep you motivated and productive, not to mention the inconvenience and unprofessional appearance.
Looking at your lifestyle includes personality, work habits, family life, type of work you do at home, how much time you spend in your home office and what is likely to make you comfortable, motivated and happy.
Your home office reflects both your personality and your business. As a refection of your personality, it can look any way you like. As a statement about your business and how you conduct yourself, it should be well-planned, organized and appear professional.
Walk through all the space in your house, basement, attic and garage. Think about working in each of the rooms. Check out lighting, air circulation, floor space.
Do you need a lot of natural light or are you more comfortable in a cozy, softly-lit area? Do you like a view or find it distracting? Do you have children you need to be watching while you work?
Make a list of areas you feel will be good for you because of their proximity to - or away from - family members.
Consider possible conversion spaces like the attic, a room over the garage, guest room, corner of a room, under a staircase, in a closet. Think about re-arranging things, moving furniture around - or even out - to make room for your work spot.
Most rooms can be multi-purpose and you can incorporate your office into a guest bedroom, part of the family room or even in a large kitchen area.
Many at-home workers, like home schoolers, find they can accomplish much more in less time than in a traditional setting. Thus, if you have school children you could work in the most active part of the house during the day and stop mid-afternoon when kids get home from school.
You may not need to put all of your office in one place. For example, you could have one or two 2-drawer file cabinets in the office for things you refer to frequently, and other file cabinets could be located elsewhere.
Likewise with books. As a writer, I keep dictionaries, stylebooks, a thesaurus and a couple other reference books within reach of my computer. Books referred to much less frequently are in a bookcase in another room. I also have files in the basement in addition to the 2-drawer files that support my ``desk.''
Speaking of desks, there's nothing wrong with boards or a door on file cabinets. It's much more appealing if the wood is nicely stained and sealed or painted to match.
Interior designer Kathryn Oddo, owner of Interiors Unlimited in Blacksburg, recently suggested that I cut the corners on my desktop at angles for appearance and safety.
According to Oddo, the furniture industry has ``strongly responded'' to this home office niche in furniture design. Before you run out and buy a desk, chair and computer stand, Oddo advises that you take a look at some of the nice looking, multi-functional furniture designed for home office use.
``With your desk and computer stand, everything is exposed. You can purchase nice-looking furniture that hides some or all of the office look and blends well with the room,'' she stated.
You'll probably want to evaluate your equipment needs before deciding on furniture. The big one is the computer - along with the monitor, keyboard, printer and mousepad. Then there are computer books, a fax machine, telephone, answering machine, radio, television, lamps and a place for office supplies.
Hutch-like pieces of furniture have the advantage of both open cubby holes and cupboard doors. These can attach to corner pieces and extensions that create a functional L-shaped piece.
If using your computer takes most of your time, you may not need a desk, but just a modest writing table. An easy chair with good lighting is a great place to read trade journals and newspapers.
Safety issues include flooring, cords, security, power protection, proper lighting, heating and cooling, childproof files and outlets, and body comfort and safety.
The latter refers to ergonomic equipment, the theory of which is that the machine fits you not the other way around.
Ergonomic chairs have controlled back tilts, seat adjustments and curves and fabric that conform to you. There are also desks, laptop stands, book and copy holders, wrist rests, lumbar supports and ergonomic keyboards.
Charles Pappas in a recent article on ergonomic furniture in Home Office Computing magazine wrote that ``as well as being healthy, your equipment should also be clever and fun. If the tools you use are a pleasure to look at and a delight to use, that means the technology was meant to serve you, not the other way around.''
If you spend much time on the phone, a headset is recommended so you're not scrunching your neck at unnatural angles. Many home workers strongly suggest having a portable phone so you don't miss a call when you step out of your office for a moment.
In making your home office a pleasant place to be, have curtains and bright artwork, a nice rug, an attractive clock, desk accessories, plants, flowers and a pillow for the dog. Pleasant surroundings will help keep your spirits high and your mind motivated.
Kathryn Oddo says she thinks that home offices, in interior design terms, are following in the footsteps of home entertainment centers and just prior to home theatres with surrounding sound and big screens. ``It all builds family unity,'' she said. And home offices are contributing to a new quality of life.
LENGTH: Long : 122 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: JOANNE ANDERSON. This space for a home computer wasby CNBdesigned by John Anderson of Blacksburg. The shelves are oak stair
steps, and the second shelf that holds the printer was installed on
sliders for easy rolling out.