3 Ways To Design a Productive Space for Your Home-Based Business
By: Tina Martin/Ideaspired
Whether you are considering renovating your house, buying a new house or designing a home office, there are a lot of possibilities for operating your business or office from your home. A home-based business can be extremely rewarding, but it does come with its challenges. Trust your entrepreneurial instincts to create a home office that boosts your business to the next level of success.
Are you thinking of running a business from your home but aren’t sure you have the space? Here are three ways from Lake Tahoe Real Estate that can help you make sure you can grow and expand.
Renovating a Home
A remodeled garage can be a cost-effective home office renovation. If you can look beyond the car, the toys and the tools, you can envision the possibilities. The Spruce suggests making sure your garage is climate controlled, so you are comfortable doing business there year round.
A renovated attic can give you a lot of space and privacy. Take care that you aren’t too far for steady wifi access and that all your wiring can handle computers, phones, printers and other tech you need. Before you start making major changes, be sure you have all the permits you need and that your HOA, if you have one, agrees to your plans, especially if you are building an addition or a new structure.
Buying a New Home
There are many different ways to get a bigger home for less. Some people buy a house "as is” to get into a neighborhood they might not otherwise be able to afford. That can be a smart idea as long as you know everything you'll be taking on. Get more than one inspector to come through and look for costly problems like damaged roof, cracked foundation, mold or mildew, and pest infestations.
Others might form a limited liability company for their business, which may let them use some of their business’s money to pay for the square footage of the house being used by work. In addition, you get tax advantages and, as the name implies, limited liability. If learning the regulations for forming an LLC (which vary from state to state) makes your head spin, look into hiring an online formation company to file the paperwork for you.
Designing a Home Office
If you are in a large enough house, move your home office to the most distant area. This will help reduce distractions and help you keep your work and life separate. If you are dealing with a smaller home, consider rethinking your master bedroom. You’ll likely have more closet space, helpful for storing inventory, and a separate bathroom, which can keep your distractions at a minimum.
If your home office is small, Part-Time Money suggests going with a minimalist design approach. Use a corner desk and vertical wall shelving to maximize space and keep things simple. Be sure to keep a lot of green plants around; they will keep the air and your mind clear. Be sure it’s a place that keeps you motivated and inspired. If you like to move around, get a treadmill desk. If you need quiet time to reflect, a comfy corner chair will do the trick.
You need a change of scenery and you don’t want to start your business in a California city already too busy with options. Think about relocating to Tahoe. It may seem like only a destination vacation, but we’re a small town with big opportunities. Working in the mountains can be a very inspiring way to live and make a living. Search some of the properties at Lake Tahoe Real Estate to get an idea of where your next home and home office could be.
