Copyright 2004 Diane Hughes

With the continued explosion of small business startups these days, home office setups are becoming more and more of an issue. You need all the standard equipment of a brick and mortar business, but can you afford them? And does it really make a difference? The answer to both questions is yes!

Many home business entrepreneurs feel that if they don’t have clients stopping by, they don’t need to have a good office setup. An old desk, your child’s forsaken bookshelf, a chair from the kitchen table, and a miscellaneous table or two will work just fine. The rest is just fluff.

However, consider these things. Every human being responds to his/her surroundings in one form or another. When your office looks like a professional place of business, you actually respond by being more professional with your clients and vendors. But more importantly, "leftover" desks and chairs are normally not as comfortable as furniture specifically designed for an office. When you spend a tremendous amount of time at your desk, you physically need it to be as comfortable as possible.

Chairs that provide little support, desks that don’t offer enough space or aren’t ergonomically correct, and a setup that does not lend itself to ease and functionality often cause back, neck, shoulder, and eye strains. These may only manifest themselves in the form of fatigue at first, but eventually can develop into more serious conditions.

If you intend to work at home full-time, make sure you have the best equipment you can have. You’ll need a chair designed to offer full support over long periods of time. You’ll want a desk that offers ample space, with a keyboard tray to help prevent shoulder strain. You’ll also need your monitor placed at eye level and to have even, natural lighting in the room.

Think you can’t afford all these things? Sure you can! Check your local phone directory for used office furniture. You’ll be amazed at the bargains you can find. I recently purchased a used desk that was in perfect condition for only $225. The new price was $650. Office chairs, bookcases, printer stands, lamps, and all types of other office furniture were available at 50%-80% off. I could have revamped my entire office for the price of one desk bought at retail.

Other options? Check your Sunday newspaper for "going out of business postings", auctions, and used furniture listings. There are bargains to be found everywhere.

When it comes to your small business, you need to consider yourself and your well-being first. After all, if YOU aren’t in good shape, how can your business be? With a little investigation, you can have all the comforts of home (or home office) for a fraction of the cost.