Tips for Turning a Space in Your Home Into the Ideal Office

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Article by Guest Blogger - Alice Robertson

Have you been thinking about starting your own home-based business? Now is the time to do it. According to Fortunly, about half of all small businesses are based in the home. So you can rest assured that you’re in good company if you decide to open a business in your home this year.

But before you make the leap, it’s important to analyze your home critically. Do you currently have sufficient space for a home-based business? Do you have room for any inventory and/or supplies you may need to run your business? Most importantly, do you have an office where you can write emails, print packing slips and take care of all your other professional needs?

If you don’t already have the home-based business setup you desire, don’t worry. Here are some tips for turning an existing space in your home into the ideal office or buying a new home that already has what you need.

Forming Your Business the Right Way

Before you start doing business out of your home or anywhere else, you need to make sure you’re in compliance with local regulations. To do this, make sure you form your business the right way. There are a few different options available to you when it comes to forming your business. You could potentially form it as a sole proprietorship, partnership or limited liability company (also known as an LLC).

Many small business owners choose to structure as an LLC because there are a variety of benefits associated with doing so. For one thing, this type of business structure limits your personal liability if you accrue debts through your business. It also offers tax advantages that some other business structures don’t offer, and if you grow, it can grow with you. To save money on lawyer fees, you can use a formation service or file as an LLC on your own. If you DIY your registration, just make sure you check your state’s regulations to make sure you do it properly.

Analyzing Your Existing Space

If you don’t currently have a space designated as a home office, analyze your home to see if you can convert an existing space into one. It may be worth the money to renovate your home to add on a small office rather than buying or building a new home. This is especially true if you’re already located in an ideal area for your profession.

Buying a Home That Meets Your Ideals

If you don’t want to deal with making renovations to your current home or you know your home can’t accommodate your professional needs, it’s time to talk to a realtor. To find a great candidate, contact several and perform interviews of those you like.

You should also consider hiring a virtual tour and home staging service. This allows you to show your residence to as many people as you want without doing in-person tours. However, if you’re purchasing a home “as-is,” it might be important to walk through the home in-person, as well as hire someone to inspect the home to see what, exactly, you’re purchasing.

Redesigning Your Current Office

You’re a step ahead of the curve if you already have an office space in your home. If it’s currently too cramped or doesn’t have enough storage space for your needs, you can often redesign it so it works for you. Real Homes suggests solutions like adding filing cabinets or shelving, or you might consider upgrading to a better all-in-one printer/copier/fax machine so you can maximize your efficiency and make the best use of available space.

If you’d like some professional help with redesigning your office, the pros at Loz Interiors can help you create a workspace that’s specifically designed for your needs.

Owning a home-based business can save you a lot of money. You won’t need to pay a monthly rent on a commercial building and you can write off a lot of the costs associated with running a business out of your dwelling. And by following these tips, you can create the ideal professional workspace in your home.