Tips for Creating a Home Office Space
with
Debbie Anderson
If your home business is beginning to take over your actual home, then setting aside an actual office space might be the answer. See how to set work and life boundaries by creating a functional home office.
Transcript: Tips for Creating a Home Office Space
Hi! I'm Debbie Anderson for About.com! Working from home can be a wonderful way to have more time to spend with your family - however, there are a few things to consider to ensure that your business life and your home life exist harmoniously separate while under the same roof. So today I'm going to cover a few helpful hints on how to create your home office space to maintain that delicate balance.Where to Put a Home Office
When creating a space for your home office use, the first thing you want to consider is where in the home you will work. It is often best to find a space in your home that has a visibly separate entrance into your office with a door that can be closed off from the rest of your home. Additionally, it is also best to double check with your accountant about the IRS regulations regarding whether or not you can take a deduction for your home office space depending on where you set it up in the home.Organize the Home Office
Next, organize the space in such a way so that you have a distinct desk or working space in the room. If you have the extra space inside the room, also consider adding storage cabinets to hold necessary supplies such as shipping supplies, boxes, or other office supplies, as well a space to set up a filing system to maintain your business records.Choosing an Office Phone Line
Continuing with the theme of keeping your work life and home life separated under one roof; maintain a separate telephone line for your home office business use that has a different telephone number from the phone line you use for home use.Home Office Supplies
Next, consider getting a fax machine, because for as nice as online faxing services can be, there are still a great many times when you will need to fax over multiple page documents to clients and financial institutions that require your hand written information on each page.Finally, when purchasing equipment for your home office, consider purchasing the basics; such as, a scanner, a printer, and a computer with Internet access.
With these few simple tips, your home office space is sure to feel well organized so you can work whenever you want.
Thank you for watching! To learn more, please visit us on the Web at About.com!