Though it comes with many benefits, choosing to work from home is a big decision. Along with lower overhead costs, more flexibility, and no commute come a bevy of challenges — from navigating distractions to staying motivated on a daily basis. That’s why, if you plan on running your business out of your home, creating the right space for getting your work done is crucial. From deciding where to put your workspace to working with designers like Artistic Solutions by EES, here are some general considerations for making the ideal office for your home-based business:
Set Up an LLC
The legal structure you establish for your business will determine several things, including where you should put your home office to get the best tax advantages. Many small business owners find that forming an LLC is ideal because it protects their personal assets and requires less paperwork than forming a corporation. Do your research before choosing a legal structure. And if you decide to form an LLC, make sure you understand your state’s guidelines, and consider hiring a formation service to do the heavy lifting.
Determine Where
Where you put your home office is critical because it will determine how well you can minimize distractions and stay productive. Ideally, you’ll be able to create a workspace in a spare bedroom, a garage, a backyard shed, or some other place that provides you with physical separation between your work and home life. Also, you want to consider whether or not your office has windows, as natural light can boost productivity and health.
Go House Hunting
Perhaps your current home doesn’t provide the space necessary for you to have an adequate office. In that case, you might need to start looking for another home — one that will meet all of your business needs. Along with considering the style and size of home you want, be sure to hire a qualified real estate agent and research the local housing market to get a feel for how you can prepare.
Make Renovations
It might be that your current home can meet all of your business needs with a little work invested. A lot of home-based business owners find that making renovations is all they need to create the workspace necessary for their daily tasks. Consider what kind of office you want and build a team that can help bring your vision to life. This team might include an interior designer, contractor, and real estate agent (to ensure the changes maximize your home’s resale value), among others.
Create the Optimal Layout
The layout of your office is one of the most important factors. After all, unless the layout is right, your office won’t allow you to work comfortably and productively.
As previously mentioned, it’s helpful to have windows in your office. If possible, set up your desk and primary workstation near windows so that you can benefit from sunlight flowing in. If you’ll be hosting clients, customers, and other visitors in your office, make sure the layout allows for comfortable meetings. If you need a place to brainstorm ideas for your business, create a space for that process. And factor in the amount of storage you need, as that will determine how much space and what types of storage solutions you need to utilize.
Redesign Your Existing Home Office
Finally, perhaps you’ve been working from home for some time and already have a home office set up. If all you need is to refresh your existing office, hiring an expert interior design service like Artistic Solutions can make the entire process easier, smoother, and more inspiring. When hiring an interior designer, it can help to understand what to expect from the process, such as fee schedules, what packages include, and what styles the designer typically works with.
Establishing a dedicated workspace is one of the first things you should do when preparing for your home-based business. Along with considering the tips listed here, keep researching and thinking about what you need from your home office. Then, you can focus on the tasks at hand and growing your business each day.
Are you ready to create the home office of your dreams? Contact Artistic Solutions by EES for a consultation today!