Though there are many good reasons to work at home, the shock of the new can sometimes upset your work patterns and prove difficult to adjust to, says Sarah. ''Many people forget that creating a home office isn't only an interior design decision, it's a major lifestyle change.

''The psychology of how to work successfully at home is complex. Most people find being on their own all day isolating rather than liberating (be prepared for huge phone bills). Homeworkers often ring others not to talk about work, but to discuss the health of their love life or cat. We forget the amount of general social interaction or chatting that goes on in the commercial office.

''Working on your own at home means you need to make more effort socially. It means too that you are surrounded by temptation - fridge full of food, TV, video, bubblebath and so on. So strong self-discipline and treat breaks are essential if you don't want to end up an expert on daytime soap operas. Some people will put off starting work at home by cleaning everything in sight or doing DIY jobs that they have put off for years.''

Creating a routine helps. Starting and finishing at the same time every day is useful. Sarah tells of one friend who actually used to leave the house at 8.30am each morning, walk back in through the rear door to his home office,

then start work.

''Knowing when to stop is almost as important as getting started. Just because you work at home doesn't mean you should work all the time. And working at home isn't the same thing as spending time with your family at home, either. This is why it is so important to create a pleasant and efficient work environment, which is separate from the rest of your home. It helps you to work efficiently

and comfortably.

''Some people set up their home office in a disused space, an area deemed too unpleasant for their bedroom or living room, such as a damp basement or a dark boxroom; this is wrong. You won't want to spend eight hours a day in a space previously deemed unsuitable for a few hours a week. If you intend to work at home full-time you should use one of the best rooms in the house, and invest time in planning and fitting it out so that you enjoy the space.

''Think too of health implications. A dark or damp space will be bad for you, as will sitting on a hard chair for long periods of time hunched over a computer - the perfect way to get a bad back. A good chair will support your back and prevent problems arising. A correctly-positioned computer screen will prevent headaches and eye strain (plus accompanying wrinkles).

Sarah adds: ''Say goodbye to corporate grey, personal clutter policies, instant vile drinks machines and stained carpet tiles. Say hi to surrounding yourself with your favourite colours, adding deep pile rugs, listening to great music, sniffing fragrant plants, happily curled up pets and the aroma of fresh espresso. Who said homework can't be fun?''

Sarah Gaventa's Home Office aims to provide the inspiration required to burst out of the rut and make your workspace work for you, rather than against you.

George Bernard Shaw had a summer-house, little more than a glorified garden shed (opposite page). A mechanism under the floor allowed rotation to catch the sun. Vita Sackville West had her writing room in a book-lined tower overlooking her garden, while Ernest Hemingway wrote in a tower at his Cuban villa. Shaw appears to have been happy with the simple life, Sackville West obviously enjoyed floral vistas and ready reference, while Hemingway appears content with a wooden chair, telescope and a few of those hunting trophies he was so famous for.

All of this reveals a lot about the spaces people feel comfortable and creative working in. Sunshine, simplicity, access to reference material, and a relaxing atmosphere all play a part. Not that Shaw's cane chair would be preferred seating for long-term desk work in this ergonomically-aware age of backache, tendonitis and eyestrain.

Gaventa analyses the home office from a number of angles, looking first at the elements required for a successful office, utilising available work and storage space to best effect.

High in her priorities are chairs - her top tip is your back will thank you for spending a little extra on quality and good lumbar support. Desks can be bought or made from MDF, and a trip to any high street will give you storage ideas.

Having decided on your office workhorses, lighting becomes a priority. There are tips on up, down, spot and desk lighting, plus points to consider when working in natural light.

Anyone who uses a computer will either know the dangers of glare from strong daylight already, or be suffering severe and unexplained headaches. Anyone in the latter category can consider a number of alternatives for controlling natural light while keeping the workspace cool and airy.

Not everyone has an area in their house that they can naturally turn into a workspace and Gaventa spends time looking at ways to dovetail your office space with your home space, by utilising partitions, temporary structures and ingenious ideas such as an under-bed office and a spare bed in a cupboard! If that doesn't appeal, there's the classic under-the-stairs desk, the end of hallway desk and the suspended stairwell desk. For those with extra space in the house that's not being utilised, an office gives the perfect opportunity to make the most of what's available. Attics are the most obvious alternatives, but built-in garages and external buildings such as sheds can also offer viable office conversions. If it was good enough for Bernard Shaw . . .

Fitting phone and power under the rose-bed could be interesting, and chances are, like most freelances, you will never get round to fully clearing up the mess. You'd certainly want the structure to be secure as well as wind and watertight, especially if you have valuable things, or equipment that could be easily damaged. Fitting an alarm to the shed is one idea, but might attract curiosity.

Home office space of this sort would also have to be seasonal, unless the thought of cowering over an oil heater while using a mobile phone appeals to you.

Having the ideas is one thing, but turning them into reality is another. That's why it's important to plan properly with a scale drawing, if only to make sure you can open the filing cabinet.

Building work like converting a garage or putting stairs into an attic conversion all need the proper planning consents, and although this can take time, they are worth the effort for the peace of mind that should be part and parcel of any successful workspace.

l Home Office by Sarah Gaventa is published by Dorling Kindersley at #12.99