One of the best ways to nurture a burgeoning business is to upgrade your home office. With ample, updated room to work, you can increase productivity, profits and comfort. There are a variety of ways to improve your experience of running a workplace from home. Take a look at these helpful tips from North Florida Tile Setters & Remodeling.
1. Work at an Actual Desk
If your bed or your kitchen table doubles as your workspace, it’s time to invest in an actual desk. Just as Fast Company points out, delineation between work and sleep—or even work and Taco Tuesday—is vital to maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
Generally speaking, the best height for a desk is around 29 inches; your kitchen table may not hit that mark, and your duvet-covered lap most definitely doesn’t. If you’re considerably taller or shorter than average, you may need to scale your desk up or down. As a general rule, however, your desktop should be tall enough that you don’t have an abundance of space between it and your knees. If you utilize a computer for work, the keyboard should sit at the same height as your elbows, and your monitor should be around eye level.
In addition to height, you should also take stock of how much surface area you require. If you work with multiple monitors or need space for packaging orders, bear that in mind as you shop for a dedicated desk.
The footprint your desk requires within your office is important, too. If space is at a premium, you might opt for a lower profile floating or ladder desk. Ideally, your desk should fit the overall feel of your home office and blend in.
2. Find a More Supportive Chair
Given the amount of time you likely spend at your desk, a supportive chair is almost as important to your small business as a supportive partner or roommate. Look for a chair that’s not only ergonomic but also allows you to adjust the height and armrests, and don’t neglect lumbar support.
Don’t sacrifice style for comfort and customization, either; find a model that suits your home office aesthetic. While your desk should fit the room’s overall vibe, your desk chair is an excellent opportunity to incorporate a statement piece, such as boldly colored upholstery or unexpected shapes.
Ideally, you should try out your chair before buying, and that try-out should be more significant than a 30-second in-store test. With that in mind, look for a chair with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
3. Invest in Storage Solutions
Even if your desktop is perpetually messy, resist the urge to let the rest of your home office suffer a similar fate. When inventory, paperwork and packing materials begin piling up, your workspace can quickly morph from an office into a disaster area. A disorganized office makes it more difficult to locate what you need, putting a dent in your efficiency. It can also negatively impact your mental health.
To keep a productive office and a positive mindset, utilize the multitude of storage options available. Strive to keep your office itself clean as well, as regular dusting and sanitizing of surfaces can minimize sick days.
If space is at a premium, another way to expand storage, and elbow room in general, is to remodel. This might seem extreme in some respects, but adding on or revamping a space is often the best way to promote productivity and comfort.
4. Move to a Bigger Home
If you want to run a home-based business, you’ll need an adequate workspace where you can focus on running your company without distractions. But if your current home is too small to accommodate your business, this could be the perfect time to start house hunting. In addition to selling your current home, the home-buying process entails checking your credit score, getting a mortgage pre-approval, and searching and touring homes that fall within your budget. It’s a lot to deal with on your own, so working with a real estate agent can take a lot off your plate.
Before your move, you may want to complete some additional entrepreneurial tasks, like establishing your business as an LLC. This structure will grant you welcome tax breaks and much-needed flexibility in terms of business management. Prior to starting the process, read up on filing requirements—you don’t want to overlook any key steps. Furthermore, double-check that no one is using the name you have in mind for your entity. If so, you’ll have to choose another! A company like Zen Business offers affordable and fast formation services. If you’re asking yourself, “Is Zen Business legit?” read reviews and ratings from their customers.
Upgrading your home office doesn’t have to undo your budget. Whether you update your furniture or your entire residence, the most important thing to do is your homework. Research the options available to you to make the best decision for your small business.
Need to upgrade or remodel your home? Schedule a free consultation and estimate with the highly trained professionals at North Florida Tile Setters & Remodeling! Call us at (850) 566-6320