Ten Items You Need When Setting Up Your First Home Office

The top ten items you need when setting up your first home office are first and foremost centered around electronics. It is the digital age, and no matter what your business is, you will need a solid system in place to manage things efficiently. Once you've acquired the basics, it will be a simple matter to fill in the accessories that make running a home office easier.

A workspace. Don't be tempted to use the kitchen table as an office - you'll be constantly interrupted and your work stuff will soon take over. Even just a corner of a room will do, if you can blockade yourself from the rest of the house.

A desk. A real computer desk gives your workspace depth and meaning and ensures you have a place to keep all the pesky accoutrements that come along with working at home.

A comfortable chair. The benefits of an ergonomic chair to your spine and comfort cannot be overrated. Watch for sales at office supply stores and always ask if the floor model is for sale!

A computer. A computer is an invaluable tool for research, managing accounts, and a host of other tasks. This doesn't have to be a fancy computer - a decent stripped-down model without heavy-duty graphics or media players will do just fine as a workhorse.

An Internet connection. Without access to the World Wide Web, you are crippling yourself. High-speed Internet is getting cheaper every year, and this can be your connection to the outside world as well (working from home can be a lonesome proposition).

A scanner/printer. This is a must-have. If you can get your hands on a machine that also serves as a copier and fax, go for it. Not having to make a trip every time you have to copy or fax something really makes a tool like this worth having, and being able to print reference material on demand can save time and hassle.

A dedicated business line. A separate phone line keeps your business and personal calls apart, and lets you answer your company line professionally. If not a secondary line, see if your phone company offers a secondary number and ring tone - this lets all calls come in on the same line, but a different ring will sound if the person calling dials the business number.

A modern phone. Your phone should have the capability for call waiting, caller ID, and call waiting ID. It is great to be able to put one call on hold when another one comes in, and knowing who is calling lets you prioritize. Submit your numbers to national do-not-call registries to cut down on telemarketing calls that can disrupt your day.

A calculator. While you can use one built into your PC to do calculations for you, sometimes it's just easier to default to a handheld version so you don't have to open an extra tab.

Software. An Office-based suite that includes documents, spreadsheets and even a PowerPoint style tool will make keeping track of data easy. You should also have some tax software.

These are the ten items you need when setting up your first home office, at least if you want to work in comfort and style. You'll be able to meet your potential and work productively, which is the main goal of having an office in your home!