With recent figures charting a steady rise in the popularity of the virtual office, many businesses are now opting to work from home in order to cut costs and reap the benefits of a virtual office. So here at virtualofficeworld.com we decided to investigate the pros and cons of working from home, and how you can turn it into an effective working environment.

As far as the positives of working from home go, there's no more daily commute, which is great for you as well as for the environment. Flexibility, and being around to pick up the kids or receive parcels is a major bonus. Other benefits include a relaxed dress code (even pyjamas), less spent on work wear, and having time to walk the dog at lunchtime. Quite simply, the list goes on.

But before getting carried away, remember that working from home is both a luxury and a potential hazard. Home workers can be easily distracted - chores, attention-seeking pets and daytime TV being the main culprits - so it's essential to be strict on yourself, your duties, and your time. Here's a few helpful tips from the team at virtualofficeworld.com...

Manage your time

Don't forget the old saying 'time is money'. Write it down on a post-it note and stick it to your notice board - it's a vital rule that can help keep your workload under control and your success rate on track. Try to stick to the same efficient principles as you would do in a traditional office environment. If you use 'To do' lists or Microsoft Outlook to keep on schedule, do the same at home. If there's a piece of software you normally rely on which you haven't got at home, don't go without just because you're not in a traditional office environment.

It's easy to let your home environment become an excuse to do things differently, which is why working from home doesn't suit everyone. But just as you shouldn't be distracted by domestic jobs, so you shouldn't still be reading work emails at 8 o'clock at night.

Jim Venables, joint Managing Director of office space finders officebroker.com, says that those who work late are not always benefitting their business:

"While there will always be times when each of us can expect to have to work late, say in a business crisis or start up situation for example, I believe that when people are working late on a regular basis, not only is there something wrong but also this is bad for business."

This brings us onto our next point...

Separate your working life

'Don't mix business with pleasure' can apply to many working ethics, especially where virtual office space is concerned. It's easy to let the lines between work and home become blurred, but this can quickly become a snowball effect and you could soon find yourself tired, stressed and de-motivated.

Rather than using the sofa or the dining table to work from, make the effort to segregate a part of the house so you have your own working office. This is sometimes easier said than done, but the more distance between your work and home life, the more effective your virtual office becomes. If you have a spare room, a conservatory or an attic, use it. It will help you to hide yourself away from home distractions and shut the door at the end of the working day.

Your office should be a pleasant environment to work in - ideally somewhere with natural light, sufficient space for you, a desk and storage, and should also be softly decorated. Try to avoid garish colours which can darken the room.

Also, try to get a PC that is solely for work use - and make sure it remains strictly off-limits to everyone apart from you. Set up a password that only you know, just in case.

Clear the clutter

People work in different ways, but one of the most effective ways to manage your home office is to establish a clear, clean workspace. Obtain storage equipment such as a filing cabinet, an in-tray, book stands, folders and box files - and use them to keep your desk clear of paper and clutter.

Remember you are furnishing for an office, not for your home. So while you can use your own preferences to decorate, try not to get sucked into over-designing your space. Keep it simple. You could even adopt a few Feng Shui tactics to help you along the way.

Furnish wisely

The merits of a proper office chair are immeasurable. Make sure you spend time choosing one that's not only comfortable, but can be adjusted to the right height and angle for you. Arm rests are a bonus too. Chairs that slope, wobble or that don't put you in a correct sitting position are detrimental to your physical health, so to avoid expensive trips to the physiotherapist or chiropractor, make sure you research a little health and safety and invest in a good, solid office chair.

You should also choose a desk that is both the correct height and that is big enough to accommodate your PC monitor or laptop, phone, and perhaps other items you use regularly, such as an in-tray or desk fan. Make sure you also allow space that won't be filled - it's important not to feel cramped or cluttered when you're working. Again, don't compromise to save a few pounds. Get a good quality desk that can be adjusted to suit your height to avoid postural problems - you'll be grateful in the long-run.

Stay connected

If you work with other colleagues who are also based from home, make sure you set up a fail-safe communication network. You may need to upgrade your existing home telephone or broadband service, and invest in virus software for your PC. There are some excellent free or low-cost packages available that can help you stay in touch with colleagues - take a look at our guide to virtual offices and web technologies for more details.

Finally, if you're considering taking up a virtual office in the UK, get in touch with us here at virtualofficeworld.com for free expert advice.