How to Set Up Your Home Office
· Print This ArticleIf you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!
A home office is very different from an on-site office. Not only is the potential for distraction greater, but also the possibility 
of not to being taken as seriously looms. Setting up your home office takes some thought and careful planning. Sure, choosing where you’ll spend the majority of your day, arranging furniture and supplies, and decorating your walls should be enjoyable, but there is a bit more to the logistics of choosing a home office than putting up pictures.
You need to pick the right room. It may be that only one room is available, but if you do have a choice, remember that you cannot have too much space. The number one complaint among the home businessperson, according to Income Opportunities Magazine, is not having enough space.
Ideally, you should have space for:
- Working. At a minimum, you need room for a desk, chair, computer, phone, etc.
- Storage. You will need a file cabinet and room for boxes and other storage goods.
- Books and supplies. You will need space for bookshelves.
- Grunge work. You will need space for assembling materials, stuffing envelopes, that sort of thing.
- Conference space. If you will be meeting with clients, you will need room for chairs or a couch, and
a table. - Other. Do you need space for employees? What about for specialized goods, a waiting area for clients, or production facilities?
While it is not necessary that you actually have a separate room for your business, it helps. By having a room dedicated to work only, you are sending a signal to yourself and those around you that, that even though you are at home, this is about work. It forces everyone to take your venture more seriously. Sure, you can cordon off space in a room using dividers, but if you can avoid doing that, avoid doing that.
If you want a special room for your office and do not have one, you may consider converting a room for the purpose. An attic or basement, or a garage or patio can be turned into a great workspace, and it need not cost a fortune. Some carpet, track lighting and a new window can go a long way to making unused space useful indeed.
Many home-based business owners have learned the hard way: Barking dogs, construction, and kids playing in the street can drive you to distraction. You need a place where you can work peacefully. As such, insulating your new office may be worth the cost. Wall-to-wall carpeting is great for reducing sound, but even an area rug will help as long as you spring for good padding. Other sound-reduction tools include weather-stripping, double-glazed windows and solid doors.
Thus, if you meet one of the three requirements above, and you use the room exclusively for business, you can legally take the home office deduction. If so, then you can deduct the cost of utilities, rent, depreciation, home insurance and repairs for that portion of your home.
In this fascinating 1 hour webinar you will learn 2 dozen inexpensive, powerful, effective tricks for getting your name out there and getting customers to come to you.
Loading ...
Comments
Got something to say?