Decorate It Some people design their home offices to be like a real world office. They take it that step too far though and strip their home office of all character and warmth. There's no need for your home office to be sterile and boring. In fact it should be just opposite.

Seriously consider adding plants. They're a healthy decoration in so many ways. The colour green has a positive affect on our thought patterns. This combined with fact that plants filter toxins from air around us is another great reason for having a "green" office.

Hate those motivational posters you saw in work? Do you know why? They never "spoke" to you as a person. They were just corporate spindoctoring that meant nothing to you. Choose one single motivational poster that speaks to you and put it somewhere you can always see it. Even if it only makes you smile once during a working day because it's cheesy that's a positive influence on you.

Last but not least consider having your mission statement printed out, framed and on your desk in front of you. You don't have a mission statement? Get one! Write it now!Your mission statement is reason you started your home business - make sure you are reminded of this every single day. It will push you forward when you need encouragement most.

Your Computer Stop. This is point where you need to be really, really honest with yourself. Computers are expensive and tempting. The question you need to ask yourself is "What do I need in my computer?" and not "What kind of computer do I want?"

Your home office does not *need* latest superfast, supercool computer, printer, scanner, digital camera and external storage.

You want this stuff. You don't necessarily need it.

Your business needs functionality. You business needs cost effectiveness. Buy what you need for your business. Do not buy what you want for yourself.

Tips for buying your home office computer.

* Mid-range processor power Ignore super poweful, super expensive next generation processors.They won't help you type that document any faster.

* 512MB of RAM This is a minimum. If you can afford 1GB get it. If you can afford more get it. More RAM is always better.

Did you stop at any point and think about how your home office should be designed? What type of office setup do you need? Most entrepreneurs have their offices at home. Do you evenhave space for an office at home?

The purpose of following two articles is not to give you a blow-by-blow plan of how to set up your home office but more to give you tips and advice that'll save you time, heartbreak and money.

Your Desk Newspaper ads years ago were filled with adverts stating "start a business from your kitchen table". While in theory (and in bad advertising) this is fine operating your business from a kitchen tables is entirely unpractical.

A good home office desk is functional, sturdy and has a clear, flat worktop. You've seen those office desks that are filled with drawers, shelves, keyboard trays and tons of other nooks and crannies. Firstly this type of desk looks fine in a catalogue but is far smaller when you actually build it.

Secondly all those drawers and shelves only give you more places to lose stuff. Keep your desk simple.

The ideal home office desk has a large, flat working area with at least one deep drawer for storing files and another shallow drawer for storing pens, paper and other consumables.

Ideally desk should also be L shaped. This allows you to place your work around you as opposed to constantly having to stretch and reach for different items. The L shaped desk will provide you with a more practical working environment aswell as saving you backpain problems later in life.

Your Chair This is where you're going to be spending a considerable amount of time. Never, ever skimp on your home office chair. It is absolutely essential that you have a good office chair.

Many new home business owners make critical mistake of using a kitchen, spare household or even a garden chair for their home office. This boggles mind considering same person probably wouldn't think twice about paying $1,000 for a new computer but won't pay $100 for a quality office chair.

Using a cheap chair that doesn't provide proper back and lower limb support can and will lead to lower back and shoulder pain. It can also provoke migraines and other headaches. Poor posture should never be underestimated - it can have far reaching effects.

Features you should look for in an office chair:

* Adjustable backrest

* Swivel base

* Adjustable armrest

* Adequte lumbar support

* Deep cushioned seat