How to create a better office environment with furniture, supplies, and products

I mentioned in my last post that I'd be back with some more info on finding less expensive office supplies. And I promise I will. But I have some more pressing issues at hand right now.

For one, as I mentioned (also in my last post) my cell phone broke. The Cingular store in town is out of the phone I want so that's been a hassle. More on this drama to come. And lately I can't work well. My son and I share an office. Two computers, a desk, a table, three chairs and an assortment of shelving is not lending itself to a serene and happy working environment.

I unschool my son Cedar; so he's with me a lot. I like having him in my office space. When I need to work, he does his thing and I do mine. But we are crowded. Did I mention we use this room for storage too. I'm not a designer so what to do? 

Okay... MY BRILLIANT PLAN:

Feel free to steal said brilliant plan should you need to re-design your own home office. Which I know one of you have since it's estimated that 1/3 of folks have a home office space. 

1. Count my blessings. I actually have a room -- one whole entire room for my office. If you need to get an office going and don't; think outside the box. Look around your home for a quiet space. Maybe think about getting a standing screen. Here's a great bookcase that doubles as a room divider. 
2. Get online and find some good starter office design tips and some more advanced tips.
3. Get online and check Target and Office Max for sales (this is not a Trump re-design I'm going for). I'd check thrift stores as well except for that I don't want this re-design to take all year. 
4. Clean out this office room. I need to sort through everything, get rid of what I don't need, and figure out a final list of what is staying.
   
5. Find Cedar a new desk. He is currently using a table as a desk which is a huge space eater.
   
6. My post on small cubicle spaces got me thinking that I should use the wall space I have. Maybe get some hanging shelves.
   
7. Move my music in. For me music makes my life better. Maybe for you it's plants. I have my record player in my living room but think I'd like to have in here (I spend more time here anyhow). When designing an office space you're going to want some personal touches; pictures, books, plants, music, old school Hot Wheels collection. Something that says YOU.
   

Okay I'm off and running. I'll be back to share any tips I find. Wish me luck.

But don't just hang around here waiting for me; if you work from home like me, why not hop on over to Laura's blog and find out if the new minimum wage will affect you.