Nowadays, many small business owners are choosing to eschew glitzy offices and base themselves at home. The move to working from home has financial and emotional benefits, but you must create an office space that separates your domestic life from your work life and provides you with a productive working environment. When you’re looking for the perfect home to accommodate both your family and business, Dream Home Estate can help.

The financial benefits of working from home

Running a home-based office allows for some hefty financial savings. You can save money on rent, utility bills, service charges, petrol costs, and even your clothing budget, plus you can take advantage of generous tax deductions for freelancers.

Emotional benefits of working from home

Perhaps the most valuable benefit of being home-based is the time you save on your daily commute. Mental Health America states that people that work from home are less stressed and more productive. A home office reduces interruptions from colleagues and offers a quieter and more comfortable working environment. 

Creating a dedicated space for working from home

For small business owners, a home-based office can be a practical solution. But you must make sure that the space works for you. First, you must separate your office from the rest of your house by making it a dedicated space. How large that space needs to be will depend on your business requirements. If you are inviting clients into your home, then you need an area that is attractive and large enough to comfortably host visitors. If you work alone and have no face-to-face meetings, then a spare corner may suffice.

An office for home-based workers should be away from distractions: your pets, kids, and the TV — ideally with a door to separate your home and working life. Entrepreneur says that the most popular home working areas are the dining room and kitchen, but they often aren’t suitable locations, given the traffic that can move through each area.  

Home-based business owners may consider three options for creating their dedicated space: re-designing the office space you already have, renovating available space, or buying an entirely new home. 

Re-designing your current office

Perhaps you are already working from home but your space isn’t the productive office space that you need. When redesigning your current office, or creating a new one from scratch, consider these critical factors:

• Navigation: Ensure that your office is laid out logically with the correct-height desk and chair and easy-to-locate items. 
• Storage facilities: Incorporate storage into your overall design. A tidy desk equals a tidy mind.
• Lighting: Bright, functional lighting promotes productivity and reduces tiredness. Natural light is optimal.
• Private: Even if you only have a corner of a room, try adding a screen or plants to create a feeling of privacy. 
• Make sure you have the right equipment (i.e. computer, desk, chair, etc.) as well as reliable broadband or fiber optic internet access. 

If your office redesign is to accommodate your new home-based venture, be sure to also iron out particulars like the possible need for a business license or whether to register as a California LLC or sole proprietorship.  

Renovating

Does your property have a spare room, an unused garage, or a garden shed that could be converted? Renovating your current home may provide you with the peaceful haven you are striving for and it can be done cheaply and effectively.

Buying a new house

Buying a new home may seem a dramatic move when you are considering a home office. If you were considering a move anyway — or if your home-based business is likely to be permanent — then this is an investment that can work well for home-based entrepreneurs long term. 

When buying a new home, you must know exactly what you’re taking on. That’s why it’s important to work with a dedicated and experienced agent. With a deep knowledge of the market and industry, we can help you separate the good from the bad so you can make the best decision for such a momentous move. We can also help you zero in on neighborhoods with the zoning requirements you need for your home-based business. 

Designing your home office requires more than a quick whizz around Ikea. Knowing you’ll be spending more time in your office, make sure you spend those hours in a space that you enjoy. 

(Paul Denikin)