For many people today, a home office is almost a necessity. Whether an individual actually operates a home-based business or simply wants a place to pay bills and store the computers, printers and other electronic paraphernalia that seems to be part of so many lives today, it is nice to have somewhere specific to put it. For some people, the corner of a family room might be enough. Others may want to turn a spare bedroom into a workspace.

Planning the office is important. ‘The first question I ask clients is, ‘what do you need from your home office?’” says interior designer Eloise Kubli, owner of Collective Construction and Design in Plantation. ‘Do you need it just for personal use, or will clients be coming over? How many family members will be using the office? What kind equipment do you have?”

An office that will serve as a space for meeting with clients will be different than one that is exclusively for family. ‘You’ll want to position the desk so you have privacy for your computer screen,” Kubli says. ‘You also may want extra seating so you have a more relaxed space to talk with your clients.”

Will a spouse or children be working in the office? ‘Then you may want more than one desk,” Kubli says.

Some people today work exclusively on laptops, while others still have desktop computers. ‘That will dictate the kind of desk you need,” Kubli says. ‘If you work on a desktop computer, you need a desk where you can hide all the wiring. It’s important not to have visual clutter when you’re working. Bu if you’re using just a laptop and wireless printer, you can have a sleeker, lighterlooking desk. ‘

With all the attention being given to identity theft, paper shredders are becoming standard in many home offices. ‘I build them in on pullouts,” Kubli says.

What kind of flooring will the office have? For an individual who prefers a true office chair, carpet may not be the best choice.

Many people want a television in the office. ‘You have to decide the best place for it,” Kubli says. ‘Sometimes I just hang the screen on the wall. Other times I hide it behind a painting. And now, you can have your TV right on your computer monitor and just split the screen.”

What color will the walls be? ‘I like soothing, warm colors in an office,” Kubli says. ‘Many people want wood in their offices, and deep- toned colors can enhance the wood.”

Window treatments can be both functional and decorative. ‘You can’t have glare from the windows on the computer screen,” Kubli says. ‘I like using draperies because they absorb sound and can also control the light. When you look outside, you’re not looking through shutters.”

Whatever the style of the office, it should be an integral part of the home. It needs to be a place that will make work seem easier, and clients or other guests feel welcome.