Making It Work: Tips For Designing
The Perfect Office Space for Your Home-based Business

 

As a small business owner, you’re likely working more than a typical 40-hour work week, and you may find yourself operating out of your home on a frequent basis. To ensure your operations run smoothly and have the privacy you need, a well-outfitted home office is important. According to Industry Week, it also allows you to separate work and home, which can help you create a better overall work-life balance.

Redesign Your Current Office

If your home doesn't already have dedicated office space, you may want to retrofit a bedroom, den, or niche to serve as an office. Whenever possible, select a location in your home that's outside the flow of family traffic so you can have a quiet space to work uninterrupted. Outfit your space with a desk, comfortable chair, and other office essentials like bookcases, file cabinets, computer, printer, scanner and room for storage. This is especially important if you have products or inventory you need to  keep on-site. If you’re looking to stay small, Architectural Digest has tips for making the best use of limited space.

Build New Office Space

If there simply isn't room in your home to accommodate an office, you may find it worthwhile to build an addition to your home. This approach not only creates more workable space, but since you're renovating, you have the option to design your office to your specifications. You may want to add a bathroom or have an outside entrance that keeps it completely separated from the main house. You could also install both internal and external doors that allow for family entry and egress, as well as private access for customers or clients. Find a qualified general contractor to look over your space and let you know what’s possible, as well as provide an estimate and timeframe for work completion.

Buy a New Home

Sometimes it just isn't practical to run a business and a family from the same location. You may find it’s most beneficial to move to a larger home to accommodate your growing enterprise. Look for a location that has the design and set-up you want. For example, a home with a mother-in-law's quarters or a casita can allow for private office space. Make sure there are no zoning or homeowner association restrictions that could limit your business functions or negatively impact your operation. For example, some homeowner associations don't allow for excessive parking, which could be difficult if you have customers or staffers coming and going from your property.

When you start your new home search, connect with local real estate expert Debra Myers and her team of agents, who can give you a feel for prices in the Port Charlotte neighborhoods you’re exploring and help you find a location that meets your family’s needs. For example, if schools or access to certain amenities are important, she can help you target your search!

Make It Official

If you’re in the initial stages of starting your small business, it might be wise to start by forming a limited liability company, also known as an LLC. This incorporation status has numerous tax advantages, less paperwork, more flexibility, and can protect your personal assets in terms of liability. You can file the paperwork yourself, hire an attorney, or utilize a formation services company. You’ll want to familiarize yourself with your state’s requirements for forming a Florida LLC. Setting up a business banking account and developing a comprehensive plan that outlines operational and marketing functions can also be an asset.

 

Starting a small or home-based business provides wonderful opportunities for launching your own venture, but it has its challenges as well. Whether you work exclusively from home or use a home office as a supplement to your physical corporate location, ensuring you have appropriate space from which to operate can help pave the way to success.

 

If you’re looking to buy or sell a home in the Port Charlotte area, contact Debra Myers at EXIT Compass Realty.

 

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