Home Office Furnishings

Depending on the nature of your needs, your home computer may be the most expensive item you’ll buy for your home office. On the other hand, if you want a stylish, professional home office, expect to pay for the privilege. Luckily there are affordable options for home office furniture and seating.
There are three basic steps you’ll take to figure out the best way to set up your home office. First, determine what the office is for and who will use it. Then determine where you want your office to be and how much space you have available. Finally, develop a budget to give you an idea of how much you’re able to spend. Once you’ve identified your needs, you can furnish your home office appropriately and within your means.

Is your home office going to be used mostly for entertainment purposes, with a little bill-paying thrown in? Put your office in a place where the entire family can access it – in the den, in a large kitchen, or even in the corner of a living room. If your home office is to be used for business purposes, you’ll want more privacy, especially if you plan to meet clients or visitors. Choose a room that can be isolated from the rest of the house.
If you want to integrate the office into your living area, consider a modular entertainment and computer center. They are somewhat expensive, since most start around $1,400, but they’re a great option. Most entertainment centers have storage space, come in a wide range of finishes and styles, and can accommodate more than one person at the desk.

A less expensive option is a desk with hutch. This style offers both storage space and a work surface and is reasonably priced (well under $500). Stay away from armoires, because it's hard for more than one person to gather around an armoire and use a computer.

If your office will be used part of the time for business, like at night or on the weekends, and some of the time for entertainment, you can still locate your office where everyone has access to it. A modular entertainment center may still be your best bet. If you’re meeting clients, though, make sure you can close off the room for business purposes when you need to.

If your home office will be used solely for business purposes, you’ll need to find a dedicated space. You can use a spare bedroom, convert your dining room, take over the den, or create space in the attic or basement. In this case you should consider buying professional home office furniture. Not only will you be more comfortable spending hours seated this way, professional furniture may help you to get into the right frame of mind for working at home. You can find furniture options to suit almost any budget.

Once you find a space that fits your needs, measure the room or wall to determine what size furniture you can fit. Draw your space on a piece of paper and write down measurements of the room. (You can also use free home office design tools at office supply retailer websites.) Make sure you know exactly how much space you have to work with before you go shopping.

If space and money is tight, consider a cart. A cart will be strong enough to hold your computer and possibly a printer, and it will be inexpensive (about $100), but it won't afford much, if any, storage or leg space. And carts tend to look basic, so don't expect fancy designs. On the bright side, carts are mobile. Most ready-to-assemble furniture companies make carts, and many are sturdy and easy to assemble. If you have an empty corner, tuck into the space a corner or L-shaped unit to maximize storage and work surface room.

The least expensive and roomy work surface you can make is putting a door across two saw horses or two 2-drawer file cabinets. For many people, this is a great solution. If you want something a little more refined, or with a style that fits into your existing decor, there’s an enormous range of furniture styles and pricing.

There are a number of different shopping options. Office supply retailers like Staples, Office Max, and Office Depot offer a variety of inexpensive to moderately priced home office furnishings. Many come un-assembled, so expect to pay more for assembled pieces, or at the very least to assemble your furniture yourself. You can also visit online furniture stores – they’ll offer a wider range of styles and selection, but make sure you factor in the cost of shipping and handling. Most cities have office furniture specialty stores where you can find a broad selection of items, especially if you’re looking for more sophisticated pieces. Specialty stores typically don’t compete in terms of price with office supply retailers; they cater to higher-end clientele.

How should you shop for home office furniture? First, check out online retailers to get a sense for price and features on the items you need. Then visit one of the office supply retailers to get a first-hand look. If you find something you like, great! If not, try an office furniture specialty store to see if they have what you need. Office furniture can be very expensive, and prices vary widely, so make sure you shop around to find the best deal on the furniture that’s right for you.

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