The new year is finally here, and with it comes new opportunities to start businesses or grow existing ones! Having a functional and enjoyable space in which to work is a key to success that many home-based entrepreneurs overlook. A good home office must be efficient, provide ample storage, and foster feelings of freedom and energy so you can be at your best. To get started on planning or remodeling your home office, follow these steps.

Plan for Growth

Anticipate what your needs will be down the road, and build toward a home office environment that allows you to grow into your plan. Predict what future hardware you may need, and even if you don’t purchase it now, plan for where you’ll put it. Do the same with administration systems, product organization and other needs unique to your business. By building for the future, you can avoid costly replacements and lost time when you outgrow your current situation. Closets By Design has a variety of home office solutions for your unique needs, and we’re here to help you determine the best options and layouts.

Organize Your Systems

Having efficient procedures and systems in place is vital to your success, especially if admin isn’t your favorite task. The key is to focus on what’s easy, streamline everything and weed out any extra work. Often for home businesses, systems arise organically as needs arise. This works well in the short term, but be sure to step back and reassess, as there may be better solutions.

When you think through your business systems, keep these main areas in mind:

• Filing and general administration — Can you access or track documents online? If so, don’t keep the paper. Visit Mary Organizes for a great tutorial on home business filing systems.
• Accounting — Can you digitize any systems to save time and space?
• Client and project management — How are you tracking your clients’ information and the deadlines for your projects?
• Product creation and storage — What do you need and want for your ideal workstation? Remember to plan for the future, even if you can’t do it all now.
• Supplies storage — Do you have a clear and organized storage system so valuable assets don’t get misplaced?

Odds and Ends

Once the major aspects of office planning are complete, it’s time to get creative with all of the bits and pieces you need for the perfect home office. Stay on schedule with massive wall calendars. Capture ideas with whiteboard walls. Tame that tangle of cords. Shred old papers. Buy that comfortable chair you’ve always wanted. Whatever it is that makes your office inviting and functional, take care of it now so you can start 2015 with a fresh and efficient office space.

To read more about organizing your home, read De-clutter Your Home for the Holidays and Organize Your Pantry to Avoid a Holiday Disaster.

If you’d like to discuss storage solutions for any area of your home, please contact us.