Working from home certainly has its advantages – no commute, no fuel bills, saving money on going out for lunches (all the time!) and being able to have control over your own schedule to name but a few. However, while this is the most desirable way of working, it does come with its cons too.

Namely around how and where you’ll work from home. It’s so easy to be distracted with pets, children and questionable day time TV so how do people manage? The key is to have the most efficient and effective home office space. We’ve gathered some tips and suggestions on how you can set up your first home office.

The first thing you’re going to want to make a list of everything your home office needs. This will vary from profession to profession, but the essentials will remain the same; telephone, desk, computer or laptop and some sort of storage system. If you work in design, then your computer and desk needs will be different from those in a typical office set up.

Also, if you are dealing with clients and having a lot of face to face meetings, then you’ll need to factor this into your space and think about where they will sit etc. Once you have this list, you’ll be able to decide which space in your home will be the best fit. Typically, spare rooms or nook and crannies around the house are a perfect fit – just make sure you get enough natural light!

When it comes to kitting your home office up, Pinterest is always a good shout for inspiration but remember that not all of these amazing hipster setups are designed to accommodate 50 hour weeks. So, take what you see there with a pinch of salt. For a desk job, you’ll need the appropriate desk height and the right chair to support your back.

Also think about the colour scheme in your home office, as it plays an important part when it comes to procrastination and productivity. Your bright yellow spare room may be the perfect space but sounds like a headache-inducing nightmare. Consider repainting your space in cool hues and whites to help maintain your focus and cut back on distractions.

Once you have your desk set up correctly, keep it decluttered to help your productivity further. Just because you’re working from home doesn’t mean that the same rules as working in an office don’t apply. If you don’t need something to hand every 5 mins then store it away until you do. Sounds obvious enough but again you’d be amazed how a messy desk can affect your concentration. Invest in some simple storage solutions to keep this in control.

Your storage solutions will again vary based on your business needs. Check out top home office design hacks for ideas. If you work in accounting or HR, then you’ll need to secure your files, so you’ll need a lockable and fireproof cabinet to meet legislation. Of course, working from home will mean that you don’t have the same level of security as an office space so make sure to keep your all of your equipment out of site.