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Is it really necessary to have an office-like setup at home?
Having a dedicated office space can help create a mental distinction between being "at home away from work" from "on the job and focused". Obviously, being able to organize things I need for work and leave projects out and available, to shut out typical noises and distractions that are present in the rest of the house does make some difference. Being able to close a door and not be disturbed is obvious, but if you don't have a separate room you can still create an area that is work-related. Not everyone can concentrate and focus just sitting on the couch or at the dinner table. I have pets, including birds. They are welcome distractions from the cares of the workday, but they are distractions. I know I am more productive if I have an organized, quiet, separate workspace. Helps me switch mental gears.
I have been an advocate for this in the past. You need a place to do taxes, pay bills and possibly work from home. But if you live in a tiny apartment, or are rooming in a house, or living in a duplex, you probably don’t have room for an office—or even a corner in a room with a tiny desk.
If you have room for one, plan to install a desk if some kind and leave room for a secure file cabinet. That’s my advice.
I like a seperate room..its my office, that way i can leave paperwork out and not worry some one will touch it. Its especially important when I am doing taxes. We have rentals and i need to keep track of expenses, income. Etc. But there are times i have my grandkids and i would not want the paperwork to get moved. I also need a quiet place to work.
If you actually work from home regularly, yes. If you do work on a computer, it is much easier to have a dedicated monitor or monitors (I have one huge monitor and split the screen), office chair, and actual desk than on a tiny laptop from the couch. If I tried to sit on my couch all day, my back would hurt and I am sure my eyes would also be strained as well. I have an old desk and my monitor/chair/keyboard/mouse probably cost about $600 combined, but it was worth it. My sister ended up buying herself a separate office space and real office chair recently, I think. She and her husband are both working at home now and have one dedicated office room, but had to convert part of the family room area.
I have worked from home for 24 years.
Always with an office. Separate room.
Would not have it any other way.
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