Americans Are Comfortable With The Convenience Of A Home Office

Furniture World Magazine

Nearly one-third of American households have a home office, according to a study conducted by the American Furniture Manufacturers Association (AFMA). Whether it's located in the den, a spare bedroom or even exists as part of another room, such as the kitchen or master bedroom, the home office has become an important part of our culture today, and its popularity and prevalence are only expected to increase. Fueled largely by trends in technology and telecommuting (nearly half of all U.S. households now have a personal computer), the home office is clearly here to stay. "Consumers don't have to worry that home office furniture is cold or commercial in its look, or that one size fits all," says Jackie Hirschhaut, AFMA vice president. "The wide variety of home office furniture and accessories available today can reflect your lifestyle and personality, and even complement other rooms in your home." Making Room for Work and Play According to the AFMA survey, of those with home offices, nearly 40 percent use their office primarily for entertainment, to surf the Internet, send e-mail or shop; 30 percent use it for work; and 22 percent use it to organize their home and pay bills. In addition, 55 percent of those surveyed spend more than five hours per week in their home office. Considering the extensive variety of everyday uses for a home office, it's difficult to understand why some consumers deny themselves a home office. "People may not recognize when they're ready for a home office and may not realize how home office space can provide so many benefits - whether it's a room of its own or a part of another room," Hirschhaut says. "And there are so many furnishings options in all price ranges so anyone can - and should - enjoy office space wherever it works best in their house." Indeed, nearly half of today's home offices currently share space with another room. The master bedroom pulls double duty most often, followed closely by the family room. "People can still pay bills, send e-mail or work in the family room if that's the most convenient place for them," says Hirschhaut. "They don't have to use the coffee table as a workstation anymore." Put the "Fun" in Functionality According to the AFMA survey, the desk was named the most 'practical piece of home office furniture. On consumer wish lists for home office furniture, the chair ranked highest. "Considering the popularity of ergonomics as well as the unlimited number of colors and designs available, this is no surprise," Hirschhaut says. "There is so much more variety than there was 10 years ago. Why settle for your father's office chair?" In addition to the variety of chairs, today's workstations, desks, filing cabinets and lamps come in all shapes and sizes. "Consumers have many more options today. For those just starting a home office or even for those looking to add versatility to their current space, just start with a desk and add on pieces that you need," says Hirschhaut. All the Comforts of Home Home offices offered by manufacturers can meet the needs and specifications of every individual or business. The common thread is that they can be personalized to reflect the needs of families or individuals who use them, as well as create an atmosphere that is both functional and fashionable. "One person might prefer a more elegant or traditional workstation, while another may want today's high tech colors and sleek designs. Fortunately, there is a piece that suits every taste and style," says Hirschhaut. "Just like any other room in your home, your home office should reflect who you are, what you like and what's comfortable for you," Hirschhaut concluded. Quiz: Are You Ready for a Home Office? Do the bills in your household pile up on the counter? Does your kitchen table double as a computer desk? Take this quiz to determine if you're a candidate for a home office. Does your home computer make its home on your kitchen table? Do your dresser drawers double as your filing cabinet? Would you or your children benefit from an organized, well-lit workspace? Do you have some unused space in your home that could serve a more functional purpose? If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, you may be ready for a home office. 10 Tips For Creating A Home Office Setting up an office at home can be simple and fun, according to the American Furniture Manufacturers Association. Following are 10 tips from the AFMA tohelp you smooth the way to a functional, comfortable and stylish home office: Find your space. You can put office space anywhere in your home. Is your dining room underused? How about that spare bedroom that's full of clutter? Even if you don't have a whole room to dedicate to your office, you can find enough space to meet your needs. Be creative. Decide what best suits your needs, home and lifestyle. After you have selected your space, measure it. Measure it again. Every inch matters, particularly if space is tight. Take stock of and measure all your equipment. How big is your monitor? Is your CPU vertical or horizontal? What are the dimensions of your printer, scanner, speakers and any other key pieces? Assess your electrical capabilities. Be sure you have enough outlets and phone jacks. You don't want to overload your existing circuitry with multiple extension cords. Consider an extra phone line if you're using a fax machine or the Internet frequently. Determine your lighting needs. You'll need both general and task lighting, and ambient lighting will help set a comfortable mood. Now that the basics are out of the way, the fun part begins: shopping. Since you've already done your homework, shopping will be easy. If you have plenty of space and an ample budget, pick pieces that will meet all your current needs. In addition to your desk, do you want a separate printer stand? Do you need extra filing or other storage space? Do you want an all-in-one work center? Even if your space and budget are limited, shopping can still be a pleasure. A variety of selections are available in all price ranges. You may want to start simply with a desk, chair and lamp, and add pieces as your budget allows. Most home office manufacturers offer multiple pieces within collections and you can build your office configuration one piece at a time. If your room is not dedicated to your office, you may want to consider an office armoire that simply closes up when not in use, providing an attractive armoire that offers no clue as to the amazing functionality hidden within. Remember that a comfortable desk chair could be one of the most important pieces you select. The proper chair not only improves your comfort, but it also helps reduce fatigue, ensuring optimal functioning as you work, play games or surf the Internet. Decorate your space. Make it attractive and pleasing with a selection of artwork, accessories, collectibles, whatever it takes to express your style and make you feel good about your home office. Then sit back and enjoy your new space.