Make the most out of any size home office space

Many small business owners agree that when working from a home office, separating "home" from "office" isn't always easy. Often, the "small" in small business is lost as multiple pieces of office equipment and numerous files consume valuable square footage. The following are a few helpful hints to create a streamlined workspace in any size room:

1. Streamline Work Area

While open concept designs have become synonymous with today's modern living spaces, the good news is they have been designed to be low-maintenance and multifunctional. When establishing a home office in an open or tight area, remember that efficiency is the name of the game. Invest in a sleek laptop that can be pulled out or hidden away. Also look for versatile furniture that can play double-duty in your room, such as bi-level or folding tables, ergonomically friendly living room chairs and cabinets with decorative doors that hide files and office supplies.

2. Pick multitasking tools

To save additional space, choose office equipment that performs more than one function. Televisions with built-in DVD players, multimedia PCs and all-in-ones like the Epson Stylus CX7000F which offers full-featured printing, faxing, scanning and copying not only take up less space, they also reduce overall operating costs.

3. Be innovative when

organizing files

Ensuring every document has its place and not letting anything stray is the best way to minimize your work footprint. Be diligent in applying the OHIO, or Only Handle It Once, rule to keep your to-do list manageable. Make full use of file cabinets and/or file organizers. Need to keep a copy of everything? Scanners are a great solution for storing documents and reducing paper clutter.

Separating your home from your home office space is essential to productivity. When creating your workspace, keep your work style in mind and remember that smaller areas can function as well as their larger counterparts if well organized.

- News Canada