Without a doubt, setting up a home office can be a pleasure or a chore depending on how one decides to use it. In either case, however, setting it up properly will make it more productive and less stressful in the long run. Here are a few suggestions for setting up your home office in the right manner:

Make the Furnishings Comfortable

While it may seem more appropriate to make the furnishings of a home office conform to the décor of the rest of the home, it is essential that the furniture in an office fit the needs and tastes of the home office user. Else, the room will not be used for its intended purpose and the whole effort will be wasted. For example, brightly lit, contemporary décor may not suit the needs of the user who wants a more contemplative atmosphere. For them, the feeling of a library with its deep cushioned chairs and more somber lighting may be more appropriate. In short, the right furnishings establish a base comfort level that is added to by every other amenity.

Obtain the Best Connectivity and Wireless Services

Obviously, a superior home office must be well-connected to the principle place of business - otherwise, there is no sense in establishing one at all. The best way to accomplish this goal is to use a reputable Wifi provider that provides a good signal to the initial node and then install a wireless “repeater,” such as Luxul. The repeater will then take the signal and transmit it to the far corners of your home. In this way, you can comfortably work from any room in your house. Not a bad option for anyone working on their “day off.”

Add an Ambient Music System

“All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy” is as an appropriate warning in a home office as it is a traditional one. For this reason, your home office should include some “fun” options such as a music service. Not only will the regular office user enjoy it but the stereo system also provides some much needed respite if a client happens to stop by. One of the best alternatives is from  Murfie. Not only will this company archive your entire CD, LP and 8-track – yes, they still exist – collection in the cloud for instant on-demand recall but they will also automatically offer suitable alternative selections to expand your musical selection.

Include Videoconferencing Capability

Sometimes it takes a face-to-face meeting to really communicate what needs to be said. While it is not always possible to do this in person, a video conferencing link is the next best thing. Installing the right video conferencing system will allow you to attend and conduct meetings with convenience and professionalism. 

Here are some new video conferencing systems that will more than meet your home-office needs:

• Da-Lite is offering a drop down screen with a built in video conference camera. They have bundled it with a microphone and a user interface. This system works with your computer so you can use Webex, Go to Meeting, Skype, Google Hangout or any of those types of services.
• Logitech has a new affordable PTZ (pan, tilt and zoom) camera that could be used in budget rooms for better video than your typical cheap USB camera. 
• Polycom offers a wide range of home office solutions including their desktop solution HDX 4000, their dedicated application RealPresence Desktop or their web-based solution CloudAXIS. 

With the expertise of AV Specialists, you can make your home office a professional, yet entertaining working environment. Contact us today for a free consultation.