For many companies, offices are a thing of the past. Colleagues communicate via instant messages and bosses use tools like Skype and Base Camp to delegate tasks. Physical work spaces have become less important and, as a result, more people are working from home.
Working from home can be wonderful; you have the option to wake up later, avoid morning commutes, stay in pajamas, and get tax write-offs on rent.
It can also be challenging. There are more distractions, such as television, family members, and household chores. Supervisors aren’t around to keep an eye on you, and you may feel less inclined to work to at maximum capacity.
A home office is the best of both worlds. It is the room in your house reserved for all things business. Shut the door to buckle down, but wander freely into the kitchen for snacks at will.
Here are 10 tips for creating an efficient home office on a budget.
- Be creative with your space. Renovating an entire room can be costly. Instead of completely converting the space, consider using a screen to set off one corner for work. Otherwise, set up shop in an isolated, sparsely used spot, such as an attic or basement.
- Don’t run to big, chain office stores for supplies. Consider cheaper options like Walmart and The Dollar Store for basic items such as papers, pens, filing cabinets, and bulletin boards.
- Go green. Look into smaller computers, electrical outlets, and phone chargers that save energy. Don’t forget to turn off lights and unplug chargers when you are not using them, and recycle paper. You will help the environment while cutting costs.
- Use what you already have. Look around your house for much-needed office items. Desks and lamps can often be found in attics or spare rooms while smaller items, such as staplers and notebooks, may be buried in closets from school days past.
- Hit the thrift stores and flea markets. If you don’t already have furniture, visit flea markets and thrift shops to purchase items. Many antique pieces are affordable and can add a sophisticated feel to your home office.
- Decorate the office yourself. The advantage of working at home is having the freedom to make your space your own. Be creative; hang pictures of family and friends, frame inspiring quotes, or hang your kids’ artwork.
- Avoid landlines. Having a landline in addition to your cell phone can be costly and unnecessary. Use a cell phone for all correspondence. Instead of having a fax machine, buy a printer that has scanning capabilities.
- Barter or trade with neighbors. Find items you need by posting ads on Craigslist or putting up bulletins in community organizations. If you don’t have extra items to trade, consider offering your professional services.
- Shop the sales. Take your time setting up your office; you don’t need every item at once. Make a wish list of everything you need, prioritize the items, and only buy them when they are on sale.
- Make yourself a D.I.Y. expert. Instead of hiring painters, electricians, and furniture assemblers, do everything yourself. It will be a fun way to learn new skills, and you will save a lot on these otherwise costly services.
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Comments:
I did all of the above in the beginning..It's wise to keep costs down and a fun way to start up. We became too big for a home office, moved out, grew to 40 staff, then sold the business and..... went back to a home office. But I missed the energy of working around other people. Working from home is too isolating for me. Now I work in an outside office building but my office is decorated like a movie set. I don't have to worry what people think any more. Make your surroundings stimulate creativity.
Habitat ReStores are a great place for furniture. The inventory changes a lot so if you don't see what you like all you have to do is go back in a few weeks. The stuff is extremely cheap and you are supporting a good cause. Also, when you are finished with furniture, but its still in good condition, donate it to them.
Also, use natural light when available instead of turning on lights unnecessarily. And of course switch off your computer when it's not needed to save a lot of money.
It's also a good idea to try and make your environment more welcoming and productive to avoid being distracted. The addition of plants and poster prints for example can really make a difference to a working space.
Great list! I think "being creative with your space" can also inspire creativity in your work. Personalize your office space with things that inspire you. I also find myself spending a lot of time sitting at a desk working on my computer, so I built a standing desk to allow me to move around more and give my legs a little more circulation. The standing desk happens to be a simple wall shelf, which cost me about $7 to make. Besides being cheap, it doesn't take up a lot of space.
Great article! am an event planner , and i run my business from home, i so agree with the usage of printer, with scanning/photocopier abilities. i sure will incorporate other things too. thanks alot. cheers, www.busybeeeventsng.com
this was an awesome article and great tips. thanks so much for sharing
I agree! Also, cell phones tend to be much more expensive than a landline or VoIP service. There is no need to have such fancy cell phones, such as a blackberry, just because it offers the internet. You are able to cut that cost being that you are already paying for internet for your home-office computer.
can you tell me how to start a home office and in what it consists. I am new and want to earn some pennies. can you guide me. Thanks/chris.
Thanks for the awesome article, I'm a freelancer who works at home, I like my home office, well, I have to say, I definitely LOVE my home office :) Why? Well, I don't have luxury chairs and desk, I love my office, because it's mine, and it shows my taste, working there is a passion for me, most of the items in it are really cheap (for now), but I'm planning to buy a bigger desk, and some more items, I'll sure follow your guides, thanks again!
Great advice! One point in regards to #7 (a phone). I think a VoIP service like Skype is can be a better alternative to a cell phone for people who have high speed internet service at home. It can end up being a lot cheaper - and more convenient for those of us who don't get great cell reception at home. ;)
I particularly love working from home. Most of all having my own office space (no commute or rental fee needed) but you are absolutely right in saying distractions are everywhere! It requires a high amount of self-discipline and support from the family to make it work. I still have a landline though since it is bundled with my internet service provider. Guess its time to put it outside my home office.
Thank you for this tips. It's very helpful. I now have my little office here in my room. :)
I think this is a dead horse issue by now. ANYTHING can kill you. Microwaves from phones, too many eggs, not enough peanuts, too much exhaust from cars, your neighbor going nuts because he caught your wife making out with his. Get over it dude really. You need a job writing CIA thriller novels or cheap romance books to think that at this point, it actually MATTERS.
I don't think I'd lose the fax machine. Even if you're working entirely online, there are a lot of businesses (read "potentially important clients") out there that still insist on using the fax machine as their primary method of sending "original signatures" and other documents back and forth. Other than that, great article.
Cell phones are VERY dangerous to your health. The energy they use is the same energy that is used in a microwave ovens, the only difference is that a microwave oven uses 600 watts or more of energy and your phone uses 5 watts of energy, so every time you hold a mobile phone next to your head on a call it's like putting your head in a low power microwave oven DOES THAT SEEM LIKE A GOOD IDEA TO YOU? What do you think is going to happen to your brain over the years if you keep putting it in a low powered microwave oven? A brain tumour?????? So Ignore tip 7 ... in fact if you want to avoid being sick, do the opposite, throw your cell phone out and ONLY use a land line
Great ideas..Definitely need to put this idea into action
I could have written this article. I already do all these things. It seems like common sense. Can't you write something we don't know. I can't believe you get paid to tell people stuff they already know.
I have written hundreds of articles and conducted scores of radio interviews from my studio, a converted garage. I find Skype more invaluable than a cell phone, as I am able to keep my computer on speaker and record my interviews using Quicktime. So critical to set a space aside that is all work and no play or family.
Good advice!
I started my home office with a desk from my long time friend Stephen Benedict and a Laptop. I cleared a room in my house I was using for storage, hooked up my Internet and I was off and running. I gave little thought about the feel of my office until later when I started to feel cramped in my little space and found myself working in my family room more than I was actually working in the space set aside for my office. I eventually moved into the front of my house, where I could greet clients as soon as they walked in the door. I set up book shelves, put painting on the walls, bought plants burned candles and incense to give the room a feel of my personality. Great article
These are fabulous tips for entrepreneurs young and old for setting up a home office!