As children grown up and leave home, or a family’s circumstances change, often times rooms in the home need to serve a different purpose. Maybe a bedroom in your home has opened up and is ready for another use. A newly emptied bedroom could become a den, a library, or even a media room.

One of the most popular ways to keep that now-free room functional is to create a home office.  With solid planning, it is possible to create a home workspace that you will actually want to work in, whether it is a comfortable, organized space to pay household bills or the headquarters for your home-based business.

Many home owners need a place to work from home occasionally. A growing number of organizations allow their workers to telecommute and, according to economists at the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), more than 12 million houses nationwide have a dedicated home office space.

Whether you are turning that now-empty bedroom into a home office or adding on, keep the some things in mind.  Begin with a floor plan. Get some graph paper and draw the setup you want. On paper, you can move elements around until you find the fit that is right for you. Remember to include the locations of electrical outlets, phone jacks and other hookups in this planning stage. There are also online programs available if you prefer a mouse to a pencil.

While the office can be as simple or high-tech as you like, there are several basics for every home workspace. A table or desk you can work at is a must-have. In addition, a comfortable chair that fits with your desk or table is important. A lamp is essential if you work at night or the lighting in the room isn’t sufficient.

Organization is important in making your office run efficiently. Desk organizers to hold pens, pencils, paper clips and other office supplies are great and help cut down on desktop clutter.  Filing cabinets are helpful to keep track of important paperwork, and they come in many sizes.

Remember, even though it is a workspace, your office should reflect your personal taste.  Paintings and photographs can add a personal touch to a home work space. A bulletin board or a small chalkboard can be useful for posting important information.

Don’t feel pressured to buy everything for your office all at once. Get the room set up and try working in it for a while. The more time you spend in your office, the more you will realize what you need to make it function better. Office supply and furniture stores can be a great resource in finding what you need to get started.

For more information about remodeling and reinventing rooms in your home, contact the Tallahassee Builders Association by emailing or calling our Executive Officer Lynne Edwards at or (850) 385-1414.