• The perfect home office has all the right equipment and no distractions.desktop clutter image by Pix by Marti from Fotolia.com
  
  With the advent of the Internet, working from home has become less of a fortunate arrangement for certain people. While certain work-from-home careers might require specific communication devices (for example, a graphic artist would probably need a high-quality scanner), there are a handful of items or conditions that are necessary, across the board, in order to work out of the home effectively.
  
  

An Ergonomic Desk and Chair

• Ergonomic furniture is specifically designed not only for comfort, but even more importantly, to offer support for key areas of the body, such as the lower back. Office furniture with poor or non-existent ergonomic design considerations not only makes working long hours physically uncomfortable, but can actually lead to disabilities, such as carpal-tunnel syndrome and chronic lower back pain.
  
  Ergonomic-designed computer desks and chairs are common enough that they are competitively priced and relatively affordable. Given that this is where you'll be sitting and earning money for hours a day, a comfortable and supportive (and organized) workstation is worth every penny.
  
  

Computer with Word Processing and Fax Capabilities

• On the face of it, this suggestion may seem obvious and redundant. Besides needing a high speed computer to utilize the Internet and send emails for your home business, you're also going to need the word processing software and fax capabilities that come with all PCs and Macs. The word processing will come in handy for drafting business letters, and the fax capabilities eliminate the need for a separate machine that will only clog your desk space.
  
  

Peace and Quiet

• While some may argue that they work better amidst noise and chaos, the vast majority of us are easily distracted and need a hospitable working environment. If possible, use a separate room with a door for your home office, or---at the very least---a corner space of a low-traffic room designated for other purposes. If living with others, make it clear when you will be working, and that you are not to be bothered during that time.
  
  If you find yourself in a situation where you have no space to claim for a workstation, or have spouses, children, or roommates who are inconsiderate and intrusive, a public library (particularly libraries with private rooms) are a great place to go with your laptop and get work done.