Many people work from home these days, but every residence deserves a designated office space even if it’s only for sorting out household finances once a month. The key to making an effective workspace where you live—without building an extension—is deciding what you need it for. Recognizing what function the space will perform will determine a list of necessary equipment, furniture, storage requirements and the types of supplies you’ll need on an on-going basis. And, perhaps above all, it will help determine where the office is going to be located.

As they say, location is everything. That goes for the home office, too. Where you situate it is a practical consideration and will greatly impact its look and feel. The basics include proper lighting and access to communication lines, power outlets and a wireless network. The spare bedroom is the natural first choice for many of us. (If you’re reluctant to give up your guest room permanently, simply replace that queen-size with a sofa bed and put the room on double duty.) If you’re short on space or don’t have a guest or spare bedroom, consider some less likely spots for an office: the basement, attic, an alcove, low-volume hallway or even an oversize closet. Above all, no matter what size the space is, proper organization is the most important factor once it is chosen.

For any size area, Rubbermaid has organization solutions, including the 3-6 ft. Closet Kit, which can be customized for nearly any space with no cutting required. Telescoping rods and expanding shelves make it quick and easy to configure (and re-configure) your preferred office system. What to put on them? Rubbermaid’s ready-to-install laminated wood shelving and cubbie units are durable and add the warmth of wood to mail sorting—perfect for holding letters, magazines and documents that require immediate attention. And Rubbermaid’s 30-qt clear containers can store file folders, while 15-qt clear containers are great for containing magazines that otherwise tend to pile up.

While it’s important to have a division between a working office and the living space that surrounds it, the two can still blend peaceably. After all, the office has to be a space you actually don’t mind being in. (And you don’t want it to be a stark anomaly amidst the style that you’ve worked so hard to create in your home.) The office can retain a somewhat official appearance, without seeming dryly functional. Adding items, pictures and personal effects can help here. One undeniably personal touch is to periodically allow the space to become an early learning centre for your young ones (provided it doesn’t interfere with your filing system). Some of their original artwork can lend instant warmth to the surroundings. What you don’t need is legal documents, bills and other paperwork spilling over into non-office areas. In other words, the designated space needs to be segregated from your home life to the extent that it’s out of sight and mind every time you get up to leave it behind. Staying organized will save you energy that would’ve been spent on constantly tidying up. Now about those bills…