Page 22 THE VILLADOM TIMES IV • March 28, 2012 (ARA) There is no doubt that we are a connected society. Today, we are connected like never before through e-mail, social networks, video conference technology, instant messaging, smart phones, and other innovations. While this influx in connectivity has made it easier to do business, it has also blurred the lines between work and home life, resulting with many people working at home at least a few hours each week. If your kitchen countertop has become your go-to place for paying bills, responding to emails, and conducting business, it may be time to consider adding a dedicated office space in your home. Whether you telecommute for work or just need a work space to organize personal documents and files, a well planned home office can help you stay productive, efficient, and organized. Before beginning the design process for an office space, think through how the space will be used and ask yourself these questions: • What activities will take place in the space? • Who will be using this area? • What are your storage needs? • What time of day will you be doing most of your work? • Where in your home will you set up the office? • What type of connectivity/technology will be necessary for this space? Once you have a handle on your needs, you will be ready to start the planning and design process. Here are a few important things to consider when setting up a home office. Flexible and functional: A home office should be comfortable, but not so casual that it lacks structure and function at the expense of productivity. Whether you opt for a desk or a table, be sure to evaluate how much work sur- Design a home office for comfort and productivity face is needed before you make the purchase. Consider how much space your computer and phone equipment, wires and cords, files and paperwork, and office supplies will occupy. All of these things can quickly swallow up space you might need to work comfortably. After you have selected the furniture, it's wise to invest in a high-quality ergonomic chair that can help promote your overall wellbeing. Orderly and organized: It's easy to let a home office become overrun with paperwork, mail, bills, and other items. Giving thought to smart storage solutions from the get-go will help minimize stress in the long run. The good news is you don't have to settle for commercial-looking metal file cabinets to store everything. Cabinets have long been used to create stylish, orderly kitchens and baths, and can do the same for a home office. For example, QualityCabinets offers a number of affordable cabinetry options that provide smart storage and have the ability to blend in with the decor of the rest of the home. “Cabinets shouldn't be limited to the kitchen and the bath,” said Sarah Reep, director of designer relations and education for QualityCabinets. “A cabinet has the ability to look and function like a high-end furniture-quality desk for the home office, at a fraction of the cost.” Once you have an idea of your storage needs, check out some options. Light and lively: Good lighting in a home office is essential. While overhead light is helpful, your desk and work spaces should also feature a few task lights for reading, writing, and computer work. Adding a decorative table lamp can help maintain a homier feel. The amount and type of lighting really depend on when you will be doing the bulk of your work and can vary drastically throughout the day. Installing light dimmer switches and adding window treatments can keep light at optimum levels. Painting a splash of color on the walls, and adding colorful textiles or artwork reflective of your personality will make the space feel lively and inspiring. (ARA) Now is the time for homeowners to get a jump start on planning and prepping for their spring and summer home and garden projects. In addition to fine-tuning home improvement and gardening plans, it is also a good idea to make certain the required tools are in tip-top shape, so the projects are not delayed. Here are some ways to prepare for the spring and summer seasons with just a few simple steps: Sketch out those garden plans, and pick the plants that can be purchased or grown from seed. Plans don’t need to be drawn to scale, but they will provide great background information for a shopping list. Research how early seedlings should be started, so they will be ready for transplant when the time arrives. Also create plans for any home projects that need to be accomplished. The depth of those plans depends on how complicated the project is. Make certain all permits are in order, if they are required by the community. If a contractor is needed, a formal agreement and timeline should be in place before the work begins. Check lawn tools, such as pruning shears, for sharp blades and either sharpen or replace them if they don’t easily cut through a small stem of plant material. Also, review lawn mower blades. Check the oil, gasoline, and starters on all gardening machines to ensure they will run Tips to help ease into spring projects correctly when needed. Review home tools to determine if any new purchases or replacements are needed. This is the perfect time to head to the store and purchase missing tools, add new blades to saws, or replenish the sandpaper stash. All of these steps will save you from running back and forth to the store. A little care can go a long way in keeping your hands and feet -- the most valuable tools found in every household -- in good shape after the long, dry winter months. These tools are vital to accomplishing everything on those garden and home project lists, and they are often forgotten. Products such as O’Keeffe’s Working Hands and O’Keeffe’s for Healthy Feet relieve dry, cracked skin. Start every project with healthy hands, and keep them that way throughout the entire season of projects. Start purchasing the materials needed ahead of time. This helps to spread out the cost, and can give an idea of how much time and effort the project will take to be completed. Get started now in matching colors, finding the perfect accessories, and even comparison shopping. For homeowners who haven’t experienced the warmweather-project itch quite yet, it’s still a good idea to start thinking about those items on to-do lists to help with being prepared and ready to go. It doesn’t take a lot of energy to have a successful spring and summer project season.