The reasons for setting up a home office are as varied as the people who set it up. But there are some common types of home offices, and what you need will likely fall into one (or more) of these categories:

The head office “Home Address”

You will likely need basic equipment such as a computer, printer, and perhaps a scanner. Computer desks come in a variety of shapes and sizes, at a wide range of prices. If you work on your computer regularly, invest in a desk that’s designed for computer use, one that includes a shelf or drawer for the keyboard.

If you can’t find the desk you want in your price range, don’t despair. You can create your own as a temporary (or even permanent) solution. You will need two file cabinets and a piece of wood for the top. You can buy a sliding keyboard drawer at an office supply store and easily position it for comfortable typing.

Second, you’ll need a place to keep bills and other household papers. A metal file cabinet is a great option that will last for many years, and you can always find one at a good price at an office supply or discount store. (And they can be easily painted!)

The Ministry of Labor for Parents and Children

You probably also have basic computer equipment, a scanner, and a printer. If children and parents use the same computer and desk, be sure to purchase a chair that rises and lowers to the height of each user. Flea markets are a great place to look for them, as are clearance sales. Also check your newspaper classified ads for companies that are liquidating office chairs. Furniture rental companies are also great places to call about such sales.

When selecting furniture for this type of home office, always keep access in mind. If adults and children use reference materials, keep the shelves low so the children can be self-sufficient in the space. If you opt for taller bookcases, use the lower shelves for reference books, paper, and supplies everyone needs, and higher shelves for supplies you’d like to keep out of children’s reach, like toner cartridges that can make a mess. Try storing supplies in ceramic bowls, hat boxes, and even beautiful old suitcases.

This type of home office is also a good place for a family calendar center. You can put a paper calendar (or any kind of calendar) or dry-erase board in a central location where any family member can add events to it.

The heavy-duty craftsman’s home office

You’ll need ample shelving and storage space in the crafter’s home office. Clear plastic shoe boxes are always a good option, because you can put them on the shelves and see what’s inside without having to pull them down and open each one.

You may also want to keep a few of your creations on hand to display. For example, if you’re a rubber stamp crafter, you might want to keep the original cards you created, so you can use them as templates later.

If you’re working in a basement or other room that lacks architectural character, try drawing inspiration from under your feet. Floor cloths are inexpensive and easy to create with just canvas and acrylic paints.

The telecommuter’s home office (or home business)

If you work at home full or part time, you have plenty of company. Estimates from recent research vary widely, but some say that as many as fifty million people in the United States alone work at least part-time at home. And that number continues to grow every year.

This type of home office can have very significant needs, and those needs can vary greatly from person to person, depending on your job and what you need to accomplish in your home office.

At the very least, you’ll probably need a computer, printer, desk and chair, phone, and bookshelves. You may also need a fax machine, scanner, copier, speakerphone, and other office electronic equipment. And if you’re meeting clients or coworkers at home, you may need some sort of large table for conferences or work projects. If your gatherings are not frequent, a dining table should work well for this use. And since your dining room is probably in the main living room of your apartment (as opposed to an extra bedroom), coworkers and clients can feel comfortable there.

For your desk and chair, consider comfort, convenience, and ergonomic safety above all else, especially if you’ll be spending many hours working there. Other furniture, such as filing cabinets and bookshelves, can be purchased second-hand for substantial savings.

If you use your home office every day, you may find it difficult to keep the general area tidy. If you’re in a separate room that has a door, this might not be a big problem. But if you’re in a section of a main living room, you can use room dividers or screens so that when you’re not on duty, your work area isn’t always in view. Curtains suspended from the ceiling are another creative and inexpensive option that’s easy to remove if you change your mind.