Now that you've decided to start your own home based business the next question is where on Earth will you find the space to create a home office. If you're lucky, there's a little study you've been using that can easily be converted into a great office.

On the other hand, if you're like me, the bedroom, that favorite chair in the den or the kitchen table have all had the great privilege of moonlighting as your home office.

When I first started working from home via the internet my bedroom was my home office. I would hop on the bed, plug in the laptop and spend hours leisurely typing my way to success. Needless to say, that didn't last long.

As I began to really get serious about my business, I realized that my work environment had to mirror, in some ways, a business. After all, I was a business owner with clients, inventory and an ever increasing amount of paper work. If I was going to be successful, I needed space and order.

My office had to be close enough to the kids for supervision when necessary. Yet, I did require a certain amount of privacy.

I had the perfect idea. Our family room!

I started working on the transformation feverishly. There was a corner in the family room that was perfect. I could keep an eye on the kids, take part in family time and still get a reasonable amount of work done.

There are a few items that are a must for any home office whether it's an actual office or simply a space within another room.

You will most certainly need a desk. This doesn't have to be extremely large. However, your desk should be more than just a computer cart. This is where the bulk of your work and organization will come from.

Now you can finally get that laptop....off your lap! Desk calendar, phone, fax machine and a planner should be included in your work space/home office necessities.

Filing cabinets or a desk that contains filing drawers are also neat little extras.

As you become more comfortable in your business, your needs will evolve. Work with the basics in the beginning. Feeling comfortable and at "home" in your office are important. Enjoy your space - where ever it may be!