If you have decided to work from home, you need to consider what to use as your home office. Some people purchase a shed that is placed in the yard, away from the home. Others may choose to set up an area of the garage for work. Still others may choose a place inside the home, such as a basement, attic, or spare room in which to do business.

Deciding where to house your home office is dependent on a few factors. The options for location are discussed below, and you should choose the one that will work best for you.

Many people choose to have a shed put in their garden to serve as their office. This separates the home from the work, which may give some the psychological aspect of being ‘in the office.’ The shed should be large enough to house all the furnishings you will need to do you business, while still allowing you room to move. A shed is a cheap alternative to building onto your home, but may be a less secure place to store valuables such as a computer and private files.

Having a garden office can allow natural light to flow into the windows, illuminating your work area. Sunlight is easier on the eyes, as many people develop headaches after working under fluorescent lights for a long period of time. This will also cut down on the amount of power used on lighting, but it is likely to increase the temperature of the room. A solution for this is to use blinds, curtains, or shades to filter out some of the light.

Also, you may want to consider placing the office where it will be shaded by trees during the hottest part of the day. The window shades will also beneficial in that they help reduce the glare on the computer screen that is often contributed to natural light pouring in the windows.

Turning a garage into a home office is another option for those choosing to stay at home to do their work. This area would offer a bit of privacy, as you are isolated to a low traffic room of your home. It is an efficient way to give you space to do your work while keeping distractions low.

However, many people use their garage as a storage space for vehicles and other stuff. You may find it hard to clear enough room for you to work effectively. Also, many garages do not have windows, which means no natural light. This could make some people feel trapped, and they could start to dread going to their workstation.

A third consideration for a home office is a spare room in the home. This is probably the cheapest way to work from home, but it may also come with the most problems. A spare room, basement, or attic is a great place to work in, but if you do not have a large home, you may not have tons of extra space. This could lead to sharing a room with others while trying to work. Being in the home, you are more susceptible to distractions, as most homes do not come with soundproof walls.

The location of your home office is an important decision to make. You should choose whichever scenario works best for you, but take the time to weigh the pros and cons of each office setting. A spare room or the garage in the home may the most inexpensive way to work, but a garden office may be the most secluded, therefore, the most productive.