Image via Pexels
Home Office Essentials for Small Business
Owners
Starting a small
business from home, be it a small brewery or a full-blown winery, is a great
option for many people. For those who want to get started in the industry, it’s
affordable, it allows you to be close to family and friends, and it provides
the flexibility of working in your pajamas all day (or without them). All you
really need is a great idea, a business plan, the right business structure, and
a great place to work in.
Cover Your Assets First
For many
entrepreneurs, one of the biggest worries with starting a home-based business
is protecting personal property. Fortunately, this can be achieved by choosing
the right business structure. A limited liability company, or LLC, brings those
very safeguards to the small business’s owner, and you don’t need the help of
an attorney to establish it. If you don’t mind researching legal requirements
for your state, you can do that, or you can hire a formation
service to create an LLC. This will keep
your personal liabilities low and bring tax perks and some flexibility for
growth in the process.
However, setting up
a successful office space at home isn’t always quite as easy. Bumming
with Bobcat shares three ways that you
can find and create your own perfect home and workspace.
Buying a Home that
Already has a Home Office
Our first option is buying a home with a pre-existing home office.
This may not be an option for many business owners considering they may already
own a home or are not currently looking to move. If that isn't the case, this
can be one of the easiest options. There are plenty of homes for sale that have
been pre-designed with office spaces already included, and Realtor.com suggests
promoting this as a valuable amenity.
It is also easy to
find one on your own if you look at the right places. Realtor sites and home design magazines
can help you narrow down your search criteria and give you ideas. For those who
may be considering this option, keep in mind the size of office you need and
how much room your family needs. Sometimes offices are located in areas that
aren’t exactly convenient for other family members to access, so make sure you
have a layout plan with everyone’s needs taken into account.
Build your Own Home Office
in a Current Space
Next, you can consider building your own home office in a current
space. This may be the most hands-on and extensive option, but it can also give
you the most freedom and control over every aspect of the design process. When
constructing and laying out your home office, consider how it might impact your
home appraisal.
Also, be sure to consider:
●
Space: How
much space do you need for your office? Do you plan on adding any other
features such as a workbench, extra furniture, or a desk connected to the wall?
House Plans Helper points out that it's important to know how large or small
your space needs to be. If you’ll have another person working with you, be
creative with how to arrange furniture to accommodate two desks. And if
customers or clients will be coming to your office, be sure you have plenty of
room for an extra chair or two, or possibly a small sofa and coffee table.
●
Storage:
Where will you be storing your office furniture and supplies? Make sure that
you have an adequate area for storage, as it is important to keep your business
organized.
●
Lighting and
Windows: What kind of lighting do you want in the room? Whether it’s plenty of
natural light or the use of LED ceiling lights, make the most of it; The Spruce
notes that not being smart about lighting can dampen your mood,
induce eye strain, and negatively impact productivity.
Revamp Your Current Home Office
Our last option is
redesigning your current home office. This can be a good choice for people who
don't mind their current workspace but just want to give it an update. It is
also a great option for those who aren't ready to make major renovations to
their homes or just don't have the budget for it. Consider these tips:
●
Storage
Solutions: Finding a place for everything in the office can be difficult. From
papers to files to everyday supplies, you need a plan for where everything is
going. To best utilize your space, incorporate vertical filing cabinets and
shelving, which will free up your floor area as well as your desk.
●
Color
Scheme: Color schemes
should always be taken into account when designing an office space. You want your
office to look cheerful and welcoming so that clients feel comfortable and at
home. Consider using colors like dark, bold blues; pale greens; olive green;
and salmon.
● Personal Touch: Your home office is your business and should reflect that. Make sure to include pieces of you in your offices (beyond the actual people) such as artwork, bookshelves, or even family photos.
● How to find the right internet providers for your home office.
It’s natural for
home-based entrepreneurs to feel a little overwhelmed when it comes time to set
up the perfect office space. After all, you may not have had much experience
with this type of interior design before. However, there are plenty of ways
that you can create an effective and efficient work environment at home. These
tips will help ensure that your business is running as smoothly as possible
from day one.