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“The five essential entrepreneurial skills for success: Consentration, Discrimination, Organization, Innovation and Communication.”- Michael Gerber -

Create a Home Office Design that Matches Your Working Style

Many small business owners and entrepreneurs have an office in their home. It just makes a lot of sense to have your workspace under the same roof as your living space. However, having your computer on the dining room table and files arranged on the floor is not the way to go.

If you conduct business from home it is very important to have a space dedicated solely for this purpose. You have to separate your home life from your business life. Everyone, and that includes you, must understand that when you are in your business space, you are there to work, not chat with friends, entertain the kids, or prepare dinner.

You need to create an inviting space that is comfortable, functional and attractive so that you want to work there. Begin by identifying what business activities occur within that space and what equipment you will need . This will help you to determine your design limitations. Due to space restrictions, some home offices serve double duty. If you are combining your office space with  a guest room for example, make sure to include multifunctional furnishings (sofa bed or Murphy bed) and storage systems to keep business information out of sight.

After identifying the activities that will take place in your home office, start the planning the functional details of the space. You will need to plan the layout for  cables (power, electrical, and computer), telephone jacks, and power surge protectors. Make sure that there is enough space behind furnishings and computer components to house the cables etc.

The design details come next. You should begin with inspiration piece or focal point. This piece can be anything from a fantastic antique to a favourite fabric or a piece of art. The focal point gives you a reference point to work from as you select the other elements that will be included in the space.

Colour has a significant effect on the way you work. The right colour scheme can improve your mood and make you want to get right to work. Bland, lifeless colours will leave you uninspired while fresh, clean colours will energize you.

Make a floor plan including the furniture and equipment layout on paper so you can determine the best arrangement. Place furniture so that items are within easy reach and to enable you to move easily throughout the office.  Don’t go out to buy bookshelves and filing cabinets until you know for certain that they are necessary and that they will fit well within your space.

Lighting is so important yet it is frequently overlooked. Bright overhead lighting, as well as task lighting that includes lamps or built-in fixtures is a must. If you can’t see, then you can’t do!

Storage and shelving choices will vary depending on your particular business needs. The amount of paperwork and filing space your business generates will dictate your storage needs. I personally prefer closed storage. It allows me to label boxes individually and store them out of sight. All of my files are easily accessible without dominating the space.

I suggest that you splurge on a comfortable chair. Adequate back support is essential if you spend long hours at your desk and decorative fabric will make the typical “office chair” more visually appealing.

Once you have outfitted your office with the items that you require to do your job well, you can direct your attention to decorative elements (window treatments, accent furnishings) and accessories. You can create a beautiful inviting space that functions well and increases you creativity and productivity. Now get to work!

Have a Triumphant Thursday!

See you tomorrow where we discuss how to find Harmony at home!

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