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Setting up and maintaining a home office is simple whether you are one of more than 50 million American who work at home or maybe you just want to create a work space in your home where you can pay your bills and do other essential paperwork. The following are some pointers to keep in mind when planning a home office.

• Where to put your office: Your first choice for an office space should be a room that can be yours alone and not traveled through often by those in your family. If that is not practical, steal some space from a room that’s being used for other purpose. With a little modification, almost any room or space can be altered into a workable area.

1. Basement or a backyard shed. The basement or a backyard shed are an especially good choice as work area if you require a separate entrance to your work space.

2. Attic. If you need a secluded area to work away from the rest of the household, the attic may be the perfect place for you.

3. Bedroom. Many homes have spare bedrooms or studies that are ideal for a small office. This is much cozier and convenience but less private than the attic, basement, or the backyard shed.

4. Dining room. The dining room may be a good choice for a home office only if you don’t entertain frequently (you have to move everything before and after the party); you don’t mind the noise from the kitchen when you work while the meal is being prepared; you don’t worry about the paperwork being misplaced because the work area is not secured.

5. Found spaces. These are the hallway, the stair landing, a corner in the kitchen, or an empty wall space. You can create a home office with minimum fuss for paying bills, keeping track of finances and investments, pursuing hobbies, and emailing; all you need is enough work space to get the job done. If you don’t need to have a dedicated room for a home office; nearly any space can be adapted to be an office area with a little ingenuity.

• How to design and accessorize the office: Start with the basic pieces to help you do your work efficiently and add on as needed.

1. Use what you have. If you have extra furniture, adapt it for use in your new home office.  Home office furniture should be comfortable and functional. Look around your house for chairs, tables, lamps, clock, file cabinets, and other items to furnish your home office space. Be creative. Find multiple uses for as many pieces as possible.

2. Invest in a good office chair for yourself. The most important factor in a desk chair is ample lumbar support. If your chair doesn’t have lumbar support, use a pillow.

• Lighting: Traditional home lighting may be too dim to work by, and if a personal computer is your essential office equipment, you may need to adjust your lighting to reduce the glare on your computer screen.

1. Task lighting defines a work space by creating a boundary that set it off from the rest of the room. A desk lamp should have a bendable stem, swivel head and two- or three-way illumination. A Floor lamp should be adjustable to several heights and must be able to swivel so it can be directed to light a specific area.

2. If possible, position your desk near a window. The extra light will help increase your productivity. If you spend much of your work time on the computer, it is necessary to give your eyes a break by looking at something in the distance.

A good home office should encourage creativity and allow you to be productive in your work; in addition, it should be functional and well organized regardless of the style of decor chosen. You alone or together with your interior decorator can create a comfortable and professional home office space. Take your time to choose the layout and furnish your home office and it will be the place you enjoy coming to.