30. June 2008 by Parker.

With many people telecommuting these days, an office space has become an essential room in many homes. Not everyone has a big budget to outfit a full scale office and few people can pay to have a professional space planner come into their home to design the most efficient office space. However, there are seven simple of ways to create a quality working space where you live without spending a fortune or breaking down and buying a cubicle.

Define:  If you’re lucky enough to have a separate room for your home office, the task just became a whole lot easier. The key to your new home office is to make the best use of whatever space you have, whether it’s a stair landing, a small closet, a spare room, or an unused corner of the living room. For greatest efficiency, find a space that can be dedicated to a home office area without interference from the distractions of daily living.

Plan: While it may be tempting to just keep moving pieces around until the space works, if you take the time to actually measure your space, create a floor plan, measure your furniture, and think it through; the final result will be achieved with less stress and sweat.

Furnish: Use the desk that fits your style and organizational needs. Do you need a lot of drawer space? A filing drawer that locks? Think ahead of all the items you will store in and on your desk, and purchase accordingly. If your desk is too small, it will feel cramped and burdensome, making you yearn for the spaciousness of the common corporate cubicle.

Store: Storage boxes prove useful as a means of hiding paperwork and clutter that can quickly pile up. These boxes can be placed anywhere, which frees up even more space. Make sure to label the outside to prevent wasted time digging through them later trying to find your old TPS reports.

File: The oldest form of organization for any office is still the greatest source of help. By creating folders and files for all important items in your personal and professional life, a filing cabinet allows you to label a folder, file it alphabetically into the cabinet, and poof, it is off your desk and accessible when you need it.

Accessorize: Phones, faxes, pencil sharpeners, staplers, printers, oh my! These items of necessity are the staples to any home office worth its salt. Your desk should only hold items used daily like a phone or reading lamp. All other stock items should take up residence on a matching credenza, display shelf, or even a closet.

Prioritize: There will always be a piece of mail needing attention, a field trip slip to sign, or tickets to a show that you cannot lose. Hang a bulletin or magnetic board on your office wall in order to display these items visibly, this way they will not get lost in a shuffle of paperwork in the Bermuda triangle of your desk.

Now you are ready to work from home, so it is on to the next logical step: Coffee Break!

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12. June 2008 by Parker.

Midsummer is the time of year when students prepare to leave for college and parents begin panicking about all the stuff they will need for their new space. Dorm rooms, sorority or fraternity houses, and even college apartments are notorious for being small and cramped, forcing you to compress your entire existence into a tiny box. With a little help, and a bit of creativity, you can turn your little corner of the world into a cozy retreat.

Bedding: Your bed is the natural focal point to your new sanctuary and deserves the royal treatment. After all, it is the most versatile piece in the room, serving triple duty for sleep, a study spot, and guest seating. Look for a bedspread that can withstand the expected wear and tear, disguise dirt, and reflect your personality all in one. You may want to coordinate a color scheme with your roommate to create a unified space or even use the school’s colors.

Mattress: Dorm room mattresses are notorious for being lumpy and thin, so bring along a foam mattress pad or a plush feather bed topper to ensure a good night’s sleep. A full length body pillow can be used along the wall to serve as back cushion for seating during the day and something soft to cuddle at night, especially if you are used to Fido being your cuddle buddy. Extra throw pillows should coordinate with your new bedspread and add color and personality to the room.

Desk: The most important accessory for studying in your room is a desk or floor lamp. Ample lighting creates a comfortable work environment by proving a soothing break from the overhead fluorescents. Keep in mind  space is limited, so investing in a notebook computer is your best bet, and  allows you to study anywhere on campus too.

Storage: There is never enough storage in a dorm room, so purchase some shelving or a bookcase to help keep your textbooks and papers organized. If you are looking for a more affordable and versatile option, try stacking milk crates. They come in every color of the rainbow, are sturdy, and can double as a nightstand.

Closet: Transform your closet from a haven of disaster to a multifunctional storage area. Free up floor space with stackable shoe racks or hanging shoe organizers. You can also add a secondary rod to create multiple levels of hanging area and maximize space with hangers that hold double, if not triple the load of a normal hanger. Over the door racks are inexpensive space savers that conveniently hold everything from your keys, to rolls of quarters for laundry, to belts and robes.

Extras: Once you have handled the essentials, it is time to think about how you can personalize your space for exactly what you need from it.  The fastest way to soften a room is with a throw rug. If you cannot find one that matches your décor, think about purchasing some Flor tiles and creating your own unique design.

Even though your bed is your catch all within the space, consider splurging on an oversized bean bag chair or modern disk chair if there is enough space. This will give you a perfect spot to curl up with your books during late night cram sessions. A mini fridge is also a must for any basic dorm room, as you never know when you will need a snack at 3 in the morning.

Think about how unique you want your room to be. After all, these are drab concrete cookie cutter spaces just begging for a little TLC.

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