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As a home-based entrepreneur, it’s essential to create a professional and comfortable workspace in your home. Staging and decorating your office can make all the difference when you’re hosting client or customer meetings, whether in person or virtual. Here, Entrepreneurship and Innovation Hub shares some crucial tips on setting up your home office with form and function in mind!
Think About What You Need
Before embarking on the task of organizing and decorating your office, take some time to think about what exactly it is that you need. Do you need a desk? A bookshelf? A printer stand? Make a list of all the items you’ll need to store, organize, and work within your office. This will help you select furniture pieces and accessories that are both stylish and practical.
Consider Personal and Client Safety
A major physical safety concern is minimizing the danger of break-ins. A home security system can warn away would-be criminals and provide peace of mind. Make sure your exterior has good lighting, and you can also install thorny shrubbery to make burglars think twice before attempting to break in. Properly executed, refreshing your landscaping can not only keep you and your clients safe, but it can be a boon to your home value, too.
Creating a safe and healthy home office environment is crucial for yourself and your clients. Installing a UV light in your HVAC system can help eliminate germs in the air and provide better ventilation to ensure good air quality. If clients will visit in person, you might also consider keeping plenty of hand sanitisers and wipes available in your office.
Create an Ergonomic Environment
Ergonomics is all about fostering a safe, efficient work environment that reduces pain and injuries related to repetitive tasks (like typing on the computer). When furnishing your home office, look for adjustable chairs that are designed for comfort and support good posture.
Also, place items like monitors at eye level, so you don’t have to strain your neck when staring at a screen. And keep enough space between your furniture pieces so you can move comfortably throughout the space.
Choose Decor That Inspires You
Creating an inspiring space doesn’t have to be hard; just adding some artwork or colourful accents (e.g., pillows, throws, rugs, etc.) can make a big difference! Choose a style that you enjoy but that also presents your business in a positive light. It can also help to designate specific areas within your office — you could use one side for more creative projects and the other to focus more on pure productivity (like bookkeeping and client meetings). That way, you know exactly where to go when inspiration hits, or it’s time for your next appointment!
You’ll also want to consider the lighting in your office. Natural light improves mood and productivity, so allowing in as much sunshine through your windows as possible is helpful to you and your guests. Beyond that, think about bulb temperature. Choose warm LEDs for a cozy environment, or blue-light to help with energy.
Design a Professional Office Space
Whether it’s hosting virtual meetings with customers or simply having an organized place to get work done, developing a well-staged home office is crucial for any budding entrepreneur. Start by assessing the furnishings and accessories you need for your workspace, then invest in ergonomic furniture pieces, add touches of colour and style, and implement the other tips above. You’ll soon have an impressive, comfortable, and safe home office space to fit any occasion!
For assistance for entrepreneurs of all types, visit Entrepreneurship and Innovation Hub today!