Shelving Each shelf in a unit is most commonly 12 in. (30 cm) deep and 14 to 16 in. (36 to 41 cm) high. Built-ins are popular and can make your home office feel intimate, but you will need a hefty budget and plenty of space for this kind of setup. If you have a 10-foot by 10-foot room (304 by 304 cm), this configuration reduces the floor space to about 8 by 9 feet (244 by 274 cm). If you need more flexibility or plan to move within a few years, stick with freestanding bookshelves. Many sizes are available, but plan to have at least two pieces that are 36 in. (91 cm) wide and 48 in. (122 cm) high.
Desk Chairs Desk chairs come in a great variety of styles, shapes and sizes. The one thing they have in common is the footprint of space in which they should be placed to allow for movement in front of a workstation: about 42 in. (107 cm) square, give or take a few inches, depending on the chair and individual requirements. This excludes and is outside of knee space. You’ll need to back up and slide from side to side as you reach for items on the desk, drawers and other furniture.
Filing Cabinets Filing cabinets are another item that can take up considerable space in a home office. A standard two-drawer letter-size file cabinet is at least 15 in. (38 cm) in width, 30 in. (76 cm) in height and 29 in. (74 cm) in depth. For two-drawer legal-size file cabinets, bump up the width to 18 in. (46 cm). Lateral file cabinets begin at 30 in. (76 cm) in width, 18 in. (46 cm) in depth and 32 in. (81 cm) in height. Investigate which type you will need while planning your home office, since these cabinets can be large relative to the space you have. A quick way to find out more is to look up the dimensions of the file cabinets you’re interested in buying online first.
Paper Shredders Another piece of equipment that may need to be included is the paper shredder. These can be around trash can size: about 14 to 16 in. (36 to 41 cm) wide, 8 to 10 in. (20 to 25 cm) deep and 14 to 18 in. (36 to 46 cm) tall. Allow space for one as well as for a regular trash receptacle. You can usually tuck these items under the desk, but be sure you do not block your knee space.
Floating Desks Consider your desk first. Think about whether the desk should float in the room, as here, be placed against a wall or be built in. The standard desk height is 29 to 30 inches (74 to 76 centimeters). Freestanding desks range in size, but common dimensions are 48, 60 and 72 in. (122, 152 and 183 cm) wide and 24, 30 and 36 in. (61, 76 and 91 cm) deep. Get the largest desk that fits comfortably in your space, as you can never have enough work surface. If you float your desk, leave at least 30 in. (76 cm) between your desk and wall or shelves behind it. On the other side of the desk, allow 48 to 60 in. (122 to 152 cm) for additional chairs and tables, if needed.
Computers Computer dimensions vary greatly and continue to change. Keep the area where you will place your computer as flexible as possible. If you wish to place it in a built-in, keep in mind that any new equipment will need to fit in that space too. The other important consideration is the position of the keyboard. You can get away with placing a keyboard on the desk surface, but keyboard trays set at 24 to 26 in. (61 to 66 cm) high are more ergonomic. Many people use only a laptop and don’t need room for a keyboard tray; they simply need a clear area in which the electrical supply can be easily accessed.
Printers Some people may need a printer in their home office. These also vary in size, but you can plan on a footprint of at least 18 by 24 in. (46 by 61 cm). The height will depend on how the machine operates. Doors may open at the top, sides or back, allowing printer cartridges to be replaced or paper to be added. Allow room for these functions in your layout so that when you are on a deadline, you can quickly add paper or change a cartridge without having to push things out of the way.
Home Office Layout Ideas This illustration shows a few things you’ll want to keep in mind when planning your home office. Always be sure to leave a clear space in which to maneuver your desk chair. File cabinets need enough room that you can open their drawers fully. So much equipment is now wireless that you might be able to place the printer across the room or even in a closet that has an electrical outlet. How you use your space will dictate its circulation path. If you have people visit your office, it’s important that they be able to move through it without obstructions. Think ahead to the type of storage you will need so that you have plenty of room for files, books and collections.
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