Tips on making over a home office

Most people have some type of a home office. Whether it’s used for work, managing household finances or helping the kids with homework, there is usually a room designated for a computer, printer, filing cabinet and other office supplies.

If you haven’t spent much time planning your home office, you may wind up with a cramped, cluttered, uncomfortable space that simply doesn’t inspire productivity. Genevieve Gorder of TLC’s “Trading Spaces” has a few tips for getting your home office in workable condition:

•Start from scratch. Clear out your entire office and paint it a fresh color that inspires you or makes you feel focused. Stay away from reds and blues; choose energizing greens, comforting golds or pale yellows. Color is a bold and inexpensive way to transform a room. Even if your office space sits in the midst of an oft-used room, like the kitchen, set your space apart with a divider in your colors of choice.

•Organize. When it comes to organizing, think modular, so you can move pieces around to suit your various needs and create more desk space. Determine which items you will need easy access to and arrange them accordingly. Bins and boxes are great for storing the things you’re not using all the time and give the room a clean and organized look.

•Declutter your desktop. This applies to your virtual desktop as well as your physical one. A recent survey by Harris Interactive revealed that 61 percent of PC owners are more likely to store their music, photos and other personal files on their computer rather than anywhere else in their house.

However, it can be frustrating if the information you need isn’t easy to locate because you’ve forgotten the file name or the folder where it’s stored. If your desk sits in a room that is used for other things, like the family room, keeping your physical desktop clutter-free can be a challenge because a flat open surface is a tempting dumping place to anyone who passes by. Set guidelines and let everyone know that your office is your space.

•Install soothing lighting. Stay away from harsh, fluorescent lights. Lamps and dimmer switches help create a comfortable, inviting work space.

•Choose comfortable furniture. Consider an ergonomic chair that won’t strain your back over the course of a busy day.