A space of one's own

If you work at home full time or just require a place to sort mail, pay bills and check your e-mail, having a dedicated space to get the job done is essential.

"Even if people are downsizing, they want a room for an office. People who didn't have a computer ten years ago have them now," says Nancy Itteilag, a real estate agent with Long & Foster in Washington.

But what if you're short on spare rooms? Look for "an unused pocket of space that can be fitted with shelves, cabinets, (electrical) power and a chair," says Amy Gardner, a D.C. architect.

She converted a bedroom closet in her Washington apartment into her work space. She removed the clothing rod and installed shelves and a countertop that flips down as needed.

"I just pull up a chair, and I have a home office," she says.

She also removed the closet door and replaced it with a bookshelf on wheels that's connected to a ceiling track. When she wants to close up her office, she simply slides the bookshelf in front of it.

Whether you have an entire room, a converted closet or a tiny nook carved out of a corner, the basic essentials for any well-run office are the same, says Peggy Hackett, a professional organiser and founder of Come to Order Consulting in the District of Columbia.

You need a desk, a comfortable chair, storage, paper and pen, and proper lighting. "You don't have to spend a lot," says Hackett, who suggests looking for what you need at stores like Home Depot and Ikea.

A common mistake people make when setting up a home office area, adds Hackett, is to overlook vertical space, where tall bookcases or hanging shelves can provide extra storage.

"People tend to go horizontal instead of vertical, which uses a lot of space and can get junky," she says. "Using vertical space makes a space look cleaner, neater and less cluttered."