Complete Guide to Outfitting Your Home Office

You already know a separate room with a door is the ideal location to set up shop. If that's not an option, a secluded corner is a decent second choice. Susan Trainer, president and founder of Trainer Public Relations, started in 1995 literally working from her bedroom floor before upgrading to an old kitchen table. You might want to make it easier on yourself and buy a desk right off the bat. You don't have to spend a fortune to get a functional desk that fits the space and your working style. Secondhand is always an option.

Once you've got a level playing field for your computer and paperwork, it's time to position yourself in a chair. A chair is an important purchase, considering most of your working day will be spent there. Home office expert Jeff Zbar, author of 7 Keys to Home Security and Home Office Know How (Upstart), says you should never buy a used chair, since it "tends to conform to the body parts of the person who used it previously." Budget for no more than $200, and test-sit all the chairs at your local office supply stores. Features to look for include four or five legs on wheels, an adjustable back, adjustable arms and an adjustable seat pad.

Little things make a big difference. Small ergonomic items won't make a huge budget impact, but they will help keep you in good form throughout your eight-hour-plus days. Zbar works from a home office himself and swears by his telephone headset and ergonomic wave keyboard. "It creates a natural alignment," he explains. "It's pretty key to have that." Consider a split-key BelkinErgoBoard for $39 or the Logitech Cordless Freedom Pro with cordless mouse for $60. Your hands will be grateful.

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