by John McCabe

Computer desks for a home office don’t have to be the same ol’, same ol’ stuff that make you think of college dorm rooms. By using a little creativity and maybe a little sweat, you can come up with a functional and attractive keystone for your home office.

Considerations

Space

Adequate space will make you much more effective and efficient. Think about it. Have you ever tried to work in a crowded airplane? You have your lap, that dinky little tray table and – maybe – the seat beside you. Unless you are lucky enough to have everything you need on a compact notebook computer, you need to spread out.

A typical home office probably has a desktop computer, 17″ monitor, keyboard, mouse and pad, printer, telephone and assorted files, books, CD-ROMs and other “stuff”.

Comfort

The next consideration is comfort. Physical discomfort is very distracting. If your back hurts or your neck aches, you can’t give your business your full attention.

The top edge of your monitor should be just below eye level, and approximately arm’s length away directly in front of you. Many specialized computer desks come with a riser for the monitor.

The keyboard and mouse should be positioned so that your arms hang naturally from your shoulders, near enough so that you don’t have to reach for them.

Arrangement

When you start planning the arrangement of your home office, think in three dimensions. For a model of efficiency, look at the cockpit of a jet airliner. The pilot can comfortably scan all the instruments and reach all the switches, levers and dials from his seat. That’s what you want.

For many of us, that means laying out our offices in an “L” or “U” shape. Put the things you use most in the easiest to access spots. You’ll be amazed at the way work flows when you get the arrangement right.

Appearance

There are two times when how your computer desk looks is important. When it has to blend with your home’s furnishings. And when it doesn’t.

If your home office is in the living room, den or guest room, consider one of the armoire-type computer desks. That way, you can simply shut the doors and your business disappears without having to dismantle everything.

Even if you have a space of your own, your computer desk and other furniture should not be (pardon my French) butt-ugly. Your surroundings have a definite effect on your psyche. It’s hard to hold the vision of success if your office looks like the local landfill rejected it.

Cost

This is up to you. Set your budget and get the best equipment it will allow. Look for the combination that gives you the most bang for the buck. Keep in mind that an attractive functional computer desk for your home office does not have to break the bank.

Options

“Real” office furniture

New: This option is usually the most expensive. Price points are often set with the corporate buyer in mind, a buyer spending someone else’s money. Careful shopping could yield a bargain for a single piece.

Used: Used computer desks run the gamut from budget-priced gems to real garbage. Look for a sturdy desk, with all drawers working smoothly. Many used desks are very institutional looking, but a coat of paint can fix that.

Assemble-yourself: If you can follow simple directions and use a screwdriver, this may be a great option. Companies like Sauder sell decent-quality furniture for lower-than-new prices. You save money by providing the assembly labor. And the construction quality appears to have improved in the last few years.

Re-purposed home furniture

Here’s where using a little creativity can really pay off. Look for home office uses for furniture originally intended for other rooms. Here are a few examples from my own office…

Night Stand becomes Printer Stand

The printer sits on top, and the drawers hold ink cartridges, extra paper, envelopes, etc.

TV Stand becomes Computer Cart

This is actually an assemble-it-yourself piece. The computer itself shares the top with a scanner. The VCR shelf holds a UPS/battery backup unit, headphones, blank CDs for burning, etc. The tape storage area holds office supplies.

Dinette Table becomes Writing Desk

An inexpensive dinette table doubles as a writing desk, with room to spread papers out without burying the computer monitor and keyboard.

Do it yourself

The classic DIY computer desk for a home office is the hollow-core door laid across two file cabinets. Make a monitor riser from a home center shelf and bricks or patio blocks. Use your imagination…

Built-in

Before you shell out big bucks for a custom-built office, head down to your local home center, like a Home Depot or Lowe’s. They should have an area selling custom counters and cabinets for kitchens and bathrooms. There’s no law that says those cabinets and counters can’t be used in a home office. Sit down with the store’s consultant and see what you come up with.

There you have it. The five factors that go into creating an effective home office command post. Four ways to create the computer desk suited for you. If you spend some time thinking about what you want and need, then get creative, computer desks for a home office are a piece of cake.

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