It's almost impossible to write an article that is a one-size-fits-all solution to setting up a home office. For each one of the millions of internet entrepreneurs who work at home, there is a different answer to the question, "What should a home office be?"

To give you a good example of what I mean, my best friend, Melina, and her husband came over for dinner tonight. She walked in the door as relaxed and smiling as a person can be, put her salad in the fridge, and slapped a file folder down on the counter... then poured a cup of coffee. With her feet on the chair next to her, she told me all about her trip to South Carolina, laughed at my story about my mail-order bee hive (a new hobby), and we gossiped for about twenty minutes while the men put the steaks on the grill.

Near the end of dinner, she grabbed my cordless phone, picked the file folder up off the counter, and made a collection call to one of her customers in her storage business. She was cheerful and bright, got a credit card number for the late payment, scribbled it on the outside of the folder, hung up, and jumped right back into the conversation. She hardly even broke her stride, mixing business and pleasure as seamlessly as if she were swimming. Obviously, all Melina needs is a pen, a folder and a phone to be productive and make money. Wish I could!

By contrast, even though I am working from our vacation home, I was near tears for the first two weeks here because my desk had not arrived. I ordered it the minute we unpacked, and because of a delay in shipping, I hardly got anything done for two weeks! My laptop was on the breakfast bar, internet blazing, phone line in order - but I couldn't settle down, couldn't find my files, couldn't think about what I should do next. I'm obsessively organized - and I'm a work-at-home entrepreneur that needs structure - no matter what!

To tell the absolute truth, I am quirky about my office. I have a specific ivy plant that must be on the left corner of my desk. I need a scented candle beside it. I have six favorite books which must be visible from my desk. I have lucky pens, and cannot work with any other brand. This is all true, and after reading what I just wrote, I may need a prescription. Still, that's how I work, and don't expect me to "do-it-on-the-fly" like Melina. It's just not my style.

Whether you work like Melina, or are quirky, like me, your home office is your base. When you work at home, you deserve to have the environment you need to be most productive; so, take a careful look at your work habits, then design your office around what it takes for you to get things done.

At our "real home," my office is a playroom, office and laundry room. That might sound less than ideal, but it's the best place for me to do business full time. It's a large room, and since the kids homeschool, I like to have their desks near mine, so that I can help them with their lessons. Not to mention, I'm on the internet so much - I know better than to let the kids get online without supervision! With all of us in the same room during the school/work day, it's convenient and friendly. I get to be with them, and we have learned to respect each others' needs in our separate endeavors.

The fact that the office is also a laundry room means that I only do laundry at night. It's one of the little compromises I have to make to work at home, because it sure sounds unprofessional for someone to hear the spin cycle when I'm making a business call!

My favorite thing about working from home is that I can have all my favorite things nearby to inspire me. I have a brilliant collection of motivational books, and sometimes, just seeing a title will remind me of something I learned - that I can use right now. We also have three parrots, and they are friendly, happy creatures who love to be out of their cages, on perches and stands (and fake trees) close to their people. When I work at home, the parrots are with us in the office, quietly preening, sleeping or snacking - and very content. When they misbehave (this means screaming, showing off, talking very loudly and bossing the dogs around), we just put them in their cages until they settle down. I would not dream of owning such beautiful creatures if they were forced to live locked up all day long while we were at "an office."

So what corner of the house can you turn into "your world?" It doesn't have to be big, and it doesn't necessarily have to be separate from your family, but it has to be functional, comfortable, and most of all, you have to be able to get rid of distractions in your work place.

A few items to consider are:

Is there room for your desk and chair? Are there plenty of electric outlets near your desk for your computer and peripherals? Is your internet wireless, or do you need to locate yourself near a hookup? Can you install another hookup near your office area? Do you have a nice view? A window or sliding door is nice, if possible, and gives you moments of relief when you need a mental break. If you don't have a separate room, can you arrange your furniture differently to create the illusion of a separate area? And last, but not least, I strongly suggest that you avoid putting your office in a place where you will be constantly reminded of other chores around the house, or where television is watched. It can be impossible to concentrate with too much going on in your office, and you will find that household distractions simply side-track you from your goals for the day.

Please feel free to add your comments to this article, or to the forum, if you have other tips, suggestions, dos-and-don'ts, or ingenious solutions for creating a home office.

Your Work at Home Coach,

Anne Pierson