Pay attention to your furniture The roll-top desk you inherited from your grandfather may be gorgeous, but you if you have difficulty keeping track of papers in it, or don't have room for your computer and keyboard, it could spell disaster. Furniture that is functional and comfortable is essential. Your desk is crucial to your work. For most people, the bigger, the better. An L-shape is preferable for using a computer or typewriter.
Most people find it easier to organize their work area if the desk has at least one file drawer.
One client who used her dining room for an office purchased beautiful wooden filing cabinets that matched her Scandinavian furniture and could be used as a side table for serving food when she has guests. As a last resort, consider off-site storage, but only for those reference files that you are lest likely to use any time soon. You don't want to run down to the storage center very often. Make sure that storage space is worth what it costs you. Having enough telephone lines and selecting the right equipment is also an important issue.