A Business Owner's Guide to Creating the Perfect Home Workspace

If you’re a business owner planning on working from home, you’ve made a wise choice. A home-based business offers many advantages. You don’t have to deal with a commute, which saves you time every day, and you don’t have the added expense of commercial rent. This means you can invest more time and money in your business success. That said, first, you have to set up the perfect home office. This guide from Real Estate for Atlanta explains how it’s done.

Decide whether to redesign, renovate, or buy a larger house

If you already have enough space in your home to accommodate an office, you won’t have to take any drastic measures. You simply need to find a quiet space and redecorate it to make it office-ready (more on how to accomplish that below). When selecting a space for your home office, make sure it’s quiet and out of the way. For example, you don’t want to be right by the front door or the kitchen, where people are constantly coming and going.

If you don’t have a spare room, consider renovating it to create space for your home office. For example, a garage, attic, or basement can be converted into an office space. This is a big project that will require professional help. For example, you need to make sure that any remodeling is up to code. You also need to ensure your own comfort and safety by making sure there’s sufficient ventilation, heating and cooling, and light. Finally, if your home is simply too small to accommodate an office, you can sell your current property and use the profits to invest in a larger place. There are a few key points to keep in mind when house-hunting with the intention of setting up a home office. First, make sure the property has a designated work area. Second, consider whether you’ll have clients at your home. In this case, you’ll want a powder room, a separate entrance, and parking availability.

Get the right furniture and supplies to keep your office organized

Once you have a space for your home office, it’s time to start decorating. HGTV has some tips to help, like painting the walls a soothing color, choosing ergonomic office furniture, and accentuating window views with drapes or curtains. Also, if you’re going to entertain clients, set up a seating area. You also want to invest in basic office supplies like paper holders, waste bins, and whiteboards. When organizing your office, prioritize cutting down on clutter, which can create a sense of disorder and anxiety. If you’re going to hold in-person meetings in your office, it’s a good idea to design some business cards. Business cards help to make a lasting first impression on potential customers and create an air of professionalism. They also serve as convenient references for contact information at a moment’s notice. You can try this free tool to create an eye-catching business card. Choose a template that you can adapt to add your own copy, fonts, images, and design elements.

Find ways to save on your home office space

Investing in a home office can get expensive, especially if you’re remodeling or buying a new home. Help to keep costs manageable by claiming a tax deduction. The Internal Revenue Service offers a guide detailing who’s eligible for deductions and how to calculate them. For example, you can only claim your home office deduction if you’re self-employed or a business owner, but not if you’re officially employed by a company. (Note: Real Estate for Atlanta is not a tax adviser, and it’s recommended that you consult a tax accountant or CPA for advice regarding home office deductions.)

Claiming such deductions can be easier if your business is formally registered as an entity like a limited liability company. The requirements for LLC formation vary between states, so make sure to check your area’s guidelines before going ahead.

The perfect home office will foster productivity while keeping you comfortable. The above guide provides some pointers for setting up the perfect space. With the right space, some new furniture, and some business cards, you’ll be ready to work.

Real Estate for Atlanta understands that today’s technology-centric real estate market requires agents that not only have interpersonal skills but also have analytical skills which come into play when gathering and analyzing data to advise their clients. You get that and more with Matthew Share! Call 678-520-3113.

Content contributed by Andrea Needham of eldersday.org