Are you ready to create a terrific home office?

by Maria Marsala

Summary: OK. It's time to get serious about starting a business. So create an office space that will propel you forward.

One of the many decisions you have, as a new business owner, is "How Do I Create A Home Office"? Take it from someone who has been exactly where you are and learn from my mistakes - "keep it private, professional, functional, simple, within your budget and fun."

Many individuals who start a business have an image of what they want their ideal office to look like, yet the priority in creating a business should not be on the office furniture itself. Choose to use your start-up money wisely and instead add, "create my ideal office" into one of your business goals. Design a 1-year plan, 3-year plan, 5-year and 10-year ideal office plan and be willing to adjust it as is necessary. It's not unrealistic to move a business out of a home and many business owners don't consider this at first glance.

I'll give you a picture of a one-to-ten year plan based on my own experiences. My first desk was created in my bedroom using three three-drawer file cabinets, plywood, 2 different styles of molding and a 2x4. The wood was painted to match the rooms decor. The wood was attached to the wall so that when I moved around, my desk didn't. Three years later, I had the opportunity to accept an old metal desk, graduated to an office, and moved my office out of my bedroom and into its own room. Two years later I was looking for a wooden bookshelf and found the shelves to be priced more than I had in my budget. I mentioned this to the sales person, who told me that the store also sold used furniture. What was I able to purchase? For $200 I purchased: three 4x6 wooden bookshelves and a 5-drawer filing cabinet the color of my metal desk. What a deal!

Pointers:

• Consider purchasing recycled or used office furniture to help you keep start-up costs low.
• Create an office where you can have complete privacy during business hours.
• No matter what business you start, you'll need technology in your office. Plan to have the space and wiring for it.
• Basics to consider
• A desk
• A very comfortable chair
• Tallest file cabinet you can fit in the room
• Book shelf
• Storage space for inventory or other items (clear plastic stackable boxes or a closet)

Postscript: No one has ever walked into my office and said, "what wonderful used office furniture you have!" Instead I hear about how beautiful my shelves are and how cozy my office feels.

For additional ideas to help you create a terrific home office, view these articles:

• How To Make Your (Home) Office Reflect You http://coachmaria.com/articles/yourhomeoffice.html
• How To Minimize Interruptions When You Work At Home http://coachmaria.com/articles/interruptions.html

©2007 Maria Marsala, former Wall Street Fortune 200 executive, business strategist, author and speaker. As founder of Elevating Your Business, Maria helps business owners and independent service professionals work smarter and earn more. Learn more and receive free business tools at ElevatingYourBusiness.com

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