I have been working out of a home office for over 7 years now. These spaces have ranged from an empty alcove on the 2nd floor to a ridiculously expansive half of a basement. In the latter, I literally had to throw down a couple rugs just to din the echoes! In every space, I have tried to make it comfortable. I have to admit they were not always the most professional spaces though. Client meetings were always done "off-site".

Today I'd like to explore a few ways you can make the most of your home office. With family, friends, kids, pets and a whole slew of other distractions thrown in the mix, it is not always easy to create a productive space. And if you are like me you can't just sit at the dining room table or plop down on the couch in order to get some actual work done. The space needs to be conducive to concentration and focus. Let's dig in.

Just as with real estate, location is pretty important for your office. Although you don't always have a ton of choices in your home, you can avoid a few pitfalls. Don't cram yourself into a closet or pull a Harry Potter and carve out your space under the stairs. Your office needs to feel comfortable and you need to have room for whatever "stuff" you may incorporate into your work. You also need to be able to be "away" from the normal flow of life through your home. Especially during the summer months where kids may be back home and friends and family are stopping by. It is important for you to remove yourself from those distractions as much as possible.

Understanding that you may not have your choice of room when it comes to your office, privacy is still going to be a big consideration. You could get creative and add a door to an otherwise open room or even take it up a notch and divide a room into 2 spaces in order to gain that peace and quiet. Personally, I need the quiet in order to fully concentrate and be at my most productive. We are all different, but if you fall into that category as well make this part a priority. It'll be a bit messy at first and might necessitate some construction, but the payoff will be worth it.

This next one is bugging me right now and that is having the right chair. I tend to sit at my desk for 7 – 9 hours a day. Considering our average life is 1/3 work, 1/3 sleep and 1/3 free time, the chair you sit in for that third is pretty important. I'm currently tolerating an Ikea office chair (which has served me very well for a couple years) but I'm itching to get something that has a little more comfort and adjustments available. This one piece of equipment can lead to better posture, less back pain and better overall comfort during your workday. I think the standing desks are good for some, but I've found I'm more productive and better-focused sitting down. Do what is right for you and get yourself comfortable!

Get personal! If you have the ability to customize your office space (without upsetting the neighbors or your family) get creative and personalize the space. "Painting the walls, replacing the flooring, adding art and wall hangings and even changing the curtains are all great ways to personalize an office space and make it feel more like yours," commented Badger Peabody & Smith Realty agent (formerly Badger Realty), Denice Tepe. "If you feel good about the space you are in, you are more easily able to get into the 'work zone' and get things done," she continued.

Lighting is also very important when you are customizing your home office. In my first office, I set it up without considering the sunlight throughout the day. (I set it up late one afternoon.) The next morning I was blasted by sunlight for the first 2-3 hours of the day. Needless to say, I was forced to relocate to the other side of the house. Lighting is crucial to not only seeing what you are working on but your general feel in the space itself. If you are in a basement (like me) or a room that does not get lots of natural light, consider your lighting carefully and make it work for your particular business.

Lastly, don't forget to consider storage. I'm fortunate to work almost entirely on the computer. So storage for me is measured in bits and bytes. If you are someone who needs lots of files and paper storage, consider the best way to maintain those files and the frequency with which you need to access them. A good friend worked in accounting and was able to keep all his client files stored in the basement and out of his office. This freed up more space in the office and helped keep his needed space to a minimum.

Working from home has been a blessing and a privilege. I love not having to "go" anywhere in the freezing cold and snow. I enjoy walking upstairs to my kitchen for lunch without having to go "out". In general it suits my work style very well and I appreciate the long hours of uninterrupted silence (except for my little tablet rocking out to my favorite Pandora stations!). If working from home is the path for you, I encourage you to make that space as comfortable as possible. You're spending a third of your life in there, you might as well be happy and productive.