If you’re considering starting your own business (or trying to grow an existing business), there are many reasons to use your home as the headquarters. For instance, you will have no commute and you will have more control over your schedule since you can literally work at any time of the day or night that fits your lifestyle. Also, working at home means that you don’t have to pay rent for your office space, and you may be able to deduct a portion of your home’s expenses on your taxes. And perhaps the most significant benefit is that it costs less to start a business out of your home.
Nonetheless, running a home-based business demands the same amount of hard work as any business, and you will still need a dedicated workspace that helps you to stay productive. If you want to harness the power and benefits of starting a home-based business, here are some practical tips to keep in mind as you design the perfect home office for your needs:
Get a New Home if Necessary
The first stage in starting a home-based business or transitioning your existing business to a residence is to evaluate your home. Will it provide the space you need to set up an office that meets your needs? If not, consider connecting with the award-winning real estate team at Vutech & Ruff, who can guide you toward different homes that could better fit your business. Be sure to view homes that can accommodate your office and storage needs, and research home prices in any neighborhood you’re interested in to get an idea of what steps you will need to take next. For example, HER Realtors reveals that homes in Columbus tend to sell for around $279K on average.
Another thing to consider is that if you have pets, you will need to take extra precautions when touring homes. For example, you might consider leaving your pet at home or with a pet sitter. That way, you don’t have to worry about any problems if the home you’re viewing has other pets or household members who have allergies.
Maximize Sunlight
Create Separation
Distractions abound when you work from home, especially when you have a family. If possible, choose a space that physically separates your work and home life, whether that means converting a garage or basement into your office or choosing a room in your main living area that has a door. If none of these options are available, look into adding curtains or other types of dividers around your workspace.
Equip Yourself
You will need to make sure that your workspace accommodates all the equipment you need for your everyday tasks. Get a desk that fits your computer, printer, fax machine, and/or any other equipment necessary. Utilize under-the-desk storage, and invest in a quality ergonomic chair. And of course, make sure you have all the tech tools and software needed to perform your daily duties.
Make It Visually Pleasing
Finally, you want your office to look good.
Consider adding a couple of houseplants, artwork from your
children, family photos, or anything else that can make your office a
comfortable environment. Just be sure not to overdo it, as you want to keep the
visual clutter (AKA distractions) to a minimum.
