Forget the utilitarian pressboard desk and put the mismatched plastic accessories behind you. You can pick and choose furnishings for your home office to match your personal style. There’s a wide range of choice and price. Depending on your budget, you can spend anywhere from about $900 on a utilitarian set-up to $5,400 on deluxe furnishings, not including installation, warranties or monthly costs. Here’s a list of things to look for:
- Desk. When choosing a desk, measure how much space you have for it and decide how much you can spend on it. Prices vary widely, especially if you decide to build your own desk or buy a custom piece, but you can buy a small, ready-to-assemble wood-veneer model for less than $100, or a large, wood-veneer L-shaped desk with keyboard shelf, three drawers (one for filing) and a CPU compartment for $1,000.
- Chair. If you can, buy a higher-end model. Choose one that can be adjusted to your body. A comfortable, ergonomically correct chair can reduce back pain and fatigue. If you type for long periods of time, consider a kneeling chair that ensures proper posture. You can spend anywhere from $30 to $750 on a chair.
- Shelving. A recent study by the National Association of REALTORS® and G. Stacy Sirmans of Florida State University found that listing a “professional home office” meant a reduction in a house’s selling price of five percent. It’s probably best to buy freestanding shelves rather than built-in units that might turn off future homebuyers. For a single ceiling-height unit, prices start at around $20 and reach $750.
- Telephone. A dedicated line for your office plus a fax line is more money up front, but it will increase your professionalism and can be claimed as a tax deduction. Consider getting voicemail; it costs less than $10 a month and can save you the aggravation of the technical problems that often afflict machines. The price of a phone, depending on the options you choose, can be anywhere from $10 for a single-line phone to $500 for a multiple-line speakerphone.
- Internet access. It’s best to think of the future and forgo the inexpensive dial-up option for broadband, which will run you $40 to $60 per month, plus installation. Resale considerations should enter into your thinking here as well, as buyers look for upgraded wiring.
- Computer. Again, consider your future needs. The more up-to-date your system, the easier it will be to share files and safeguard them from viruses. Consider upgrading various components of your computer. If you’re going to be at your computer for long hours, a larger screen or an ergonomic keyboard will be easier on your body. Flat screens are more expensive, but take up less room and put less strain on your eyes. They also use about 50 to 66 percent less energy and produce less heat. Make sure that your computer comes with a modem as well as a CD-ROM and storage drive. The cost of a pre-configured desktop computer depends on the brand and the options, but a typical package is about $1,200. Talk to a sales person who can guide you to the software package that’s right for you -- a good package for office use can be purchased for $375 or so.
- Printer. While inkjets are often less expensive, laser printers produce better quality documents. The quality of your printing makes an impression on clients, so get the best you can afford. Printers cost anywhere from $150 for a black-and-white laser to multipurpose machines that print, fax, copy and scan for $1,000.
- Desk accessories and office supplies. Pens, paper, folders, magazine racks and pencil holders are relatively inexpensive, but if you opt for premium accessories, you can easily spend $200.
Related Articles