Today, people work from home for lots of reasons. Technology is cheaper and user-friendly enough to enable remote productivity. Commutes can be avoided, with more time spent in personal pursuits as a result, and fuel consumption and stress can be reduced as well.

In addition, Spherion’s ground-breaking study reveals that time and flexibility—or work/life balance—is a top career priority for 86% of workers, with 96% saying they prefer an employer who helps them meet personal needs through programs like telecommuting and flextime.

Whatever your reason, be sure you’re familiar with these tips to ensure that your home workplace works for you. Without proper planning and organization, your home office may do more to hinder your productivity than enhance it. 

• Select the right spot. 
  Make sure the area you choose is properly lighted and ventilated. You’ll need room for furniture, supplies, storage and items you use on a regular basis. Try to set up shop away from busy areas in your home to reduce distractions. If space is an issue, don’t worry—the important thing is to have a permanent space dedicated to your work.
• Get connected.
  Make sure your home office is equipped with enough electrical outlets to safely support your office equipment, including connections for phone, fax and Internet access. Invest in a power strip and surge protector immediately. Remember that the cost of adding outlets and utilities to your office may be tax deductible.
• Furniture and equipment.
  Include filing cabinets, printer stands and organizing tools. Position your phone, computer, and printer/fax equipment so they’re convenient. Buy a comfortable chair! Limit the stuff in your workspace to only what you need for business.
• Organize. 
  As you would in a regular office, arrange your supplies and workspace to match your work style. Avoid moving business files out of your home office so you don’t lose time looking for misplaced information. If a client visits you, an organized workspace will say a lot about you and the quality of your work. And as you should do at the end of any workday, take a moment to straighten up and create a “to do” list for tomorrow’s tasks.
• Check tax laws. 
  The Internal Revenue Service allows deduction of expenses related only to the area of a home that is used exclusively and regularly for business. Consult the IRS Web site for details.

Through the miracle of modern technology, your clients, suppliers and coworkers needn’t know whether you’re at a desk in your spare bedroom or working from your cube downtown. The key is how professionally you handle yourself, regardless of where you are working!