For someone that works at home part time or has a full time business, a professional setting and comfort can be very important. Home office work stations are sold by many retailers and can come in different varieties. The basic home office space typically includes a table, office chair, computer system, and filing cabinets. Space for a printer and fax machine is usually included as well as the proper lighting. There are home office work stations built as a single unit, while some have built in storage or are designed as open area cubicles. A few types of home office furniture are manufactured to be ergonomic and can even accommodate people with disabilities.
Home office work stations can be designed to fit along a wall, but many are built to fit in a corner. These can be L-shaped; this can make access to storage, accessories, and other office supplies closer than work stations that are spread out. Some home office furniture is U-shaped, while other work spaces are configured as islands in the middle of a room. A design often used is a single unit computer desk with storage, which can be appropriate for a student or even an executive.
Office supply stores and online retailers often sell supplies for outfitting a home office. In addition to a one-person station, cubical units are sometimes sold as well. These can be used in a corporate office, classroom, as well as a home setting where multiple people work. Other home office work stations are built for ergonomic purposes; many of them often help avoid repetitive stress injuries caused by long hours of doing the same thing. There are other variants that can allow people with injuries and even physical deformities to access files and other components, sit comfortably, and otherwise do the same type of work.
The typical home office work stations feature a table with enough room to work easily. It generally shouldn’t be near a window because too much light can make it hard to see a computer screen. A desktop computer is often more convenient and safer in a home office space than a laptop, while an appropriately sized monitor, positioned to minimize eye strain, can be beneficial in the long run. Adequate lighting away from the computer screen as well as a comfortable chair are generally crucial for a safe and productive work environment too. The configuration of the work station is often a personal choice, but can depend on the space available and the type of business run at home.