Setting up a home office can often be difficult due to the demands of the home environment. The first step is to separate the responsibilities specific to the home from those of your work is often difficult to do.
Having your home office physically distanced from your home environment is a good first step. Don't set your office up in an already existing space; a room specifically designated for your office will work best or, barring that, a room that sees very little traffic on a day to day basis.
To make this transition easier you should consider each of the following, as they apply to you:
| Things to Consider | Possible Concerns | Solutions |
| Tasks requiring computer use for extensive periods. | Fatigue and discomfort from constantly sitting in the same position. | Teach yourself to take small rest breaks, stretch your muscles and adjust your chair for a fresh posture position. |
| Handling and processing of a large amount of paper. | Repetitive unnatural twisted reaching could cause repetitive strain injuries. | Organize your primary work area to include the paper flow; additional desk tray organizers may be a cost-effective solution. |
| Is your workstation used by more than you alone? | Your work habits and personal body size may be quite different from those of the person you share with. | Make sure all furnishings are easily adjusted to suit the needs of all parties. |
| Do you use a pointing device, such as a mouse? | Overuse of the mouse and awkward posture could bring on repetitive strain injuries. | Make sure you have a comfortable and stable platform for your pointing device (mouse), and your chair has armrests for additional support. |
| Extensive use of the telephone during key-stroking or writing. | Fatigue due to holding the phone handset and operating a keyboard at the same time. | Use a hands-free telephone or a phone head-set which will allow you to maintain a normal posture while operating your computer. |