| Not all of us can afford to go out and buy new | | | | Be sure to visit professional offices to see if they |
| office furniture. This set of tips will give you some | | | | are redecorating. Quality hotels redecorate guest |
| creative ideas about building your home office on | | | | rooms every 4 or 5 years. They'll sell their old |
| a shoe-string budget. | | | | furniture to you dirt cheap. |
| Use Things You Already Have | | | | BUYING FURNITURE |
| Start by looking around for things that you | | | | If you're lucky enough to be able to buy new |
| already have. Go through your attic, garage or | | | | furniture, you need to be sure that it's the right |
| storage unit. You'll be surprised at what you find | | | | kind. This next set of tips will give you some |
| you already have. | | | | questions that you should answer before buying. |
| Build Your Desk | | | | Is it Easy to Assemble? |
| Need a custom-made desk for a tight space? | | | | Does it come already assembled, or is it quite |
| Build one! You'll be surprised at what you can do | | | | simple to assemble? What tools will you need? |
| with three sturdy pieces of wood and some nails. | | | | Are the instructions in English and easy to read |
| I'm sure the employees at your local hardware | | | | and follow? |
| store can give you some great tips as well. | | | | Will it Last? |
| Second Hand Stores | | | | Does the furniture you're buying have a |
| Second hand stores are great places to find | | | | warranty? Is it sturdy and strong? Is it real wood |
| gently-used furniture. If you can't find what you | | | | or particle board? Look close, because sometimes |
| need on your first visit, keep going back every | | | | they'll trick you and put a thin layer of veneer |
| few days. If you're persistent, you'll find just what | | | | over the particle board to look like wood. |
| you need. | | | | Is it Safe? |
| Garage Sales | | | | Look at your furniture from top to bottom and |
| Don't forget about garage and yard sales. Many | | | | make sure it's safe. Look for things like: |
| treasures are found every week at these. Just | | | | Sharp corners |
| start early one Saturday, newspaper in hand, and | | | | Position of nails |
| hit as many as you can. You're bound to find | | | | Sturdiness |
| something for your home office. | | | | Smoothness (no slivers) |
| Swap With Friends | | | | Does it Need to be Portable or Versatile? |
| It's fun to ask a friend if they want to swap | | | | Do you need to be able to tuck things away |
| furniture with you. Maybe that ugly end-table in | | | | when you're not using them? For instance, a small |
| your garage is just what she's been looking for. | | | | desk on wheels that you can roll into a corner, or |
| And maybe the desk gathering dust in her | | | | a desk that can be shut up into an armoire are |
| basement is exactly what would work great in | | | | two great options. |
| your home office. | | | | Is Your Desk and Chair the Right Height? |
| Coffee Cans and Flower Pots | | | | Make sure your desk and chair are the right |
| Look around your home for things that you can | | | | height for you. Sit in the chair at the store, then |
| use to hold smaller things like pens, pencils, and | | | | put the chair up to the desk. Make sure your feet |
| paperclips. Coffee cans, flower pots, and small | | | | are comfortably on the floor, and the desktop is |
| boxes work great. | | | | at a good distance to work from. |
| Visit Professional Offices | | | | |