If you have a head for business and dreams of becoming the next “success story” as an entrepreneur, apply a little of that out-of-the-box thinking and unconventional wisdom to your own surroundings. Create a niche of space in your home that will help you grow your business as it continues to cater to your lifestyle needs. If you’re looking for a home, look with home office design ideas in mind.
First, you need to ask yourself some basic questions. Depending on the nature of your new business venture, you might need space to build models, package products, cook up ingredients, prepare mailings or brochures, and work on prototypes. If that’s the case, and you have space and time to perform the physical jobs, you will still need a slice of space to keep records and store files. Chances are you won’t be able to do it all in the cloud or with your tablet on the living room sofa.
Every entrepreneur needs some organization. That’s where the creativity comes in.
1. Steal a Corner
We all seem to have some wasted space, whether it’s a corner in the living room or master bedroom, or the odd space elsewhere. If all you need is some surface for a computer monitor, a desktop calendar or notebook for scheduling, and some room for files and supplies, place a good looking small table near a sunny window or tuck an almost-invisible glass top console table into a hallway. Add a table lamp and a small, adjustable chair, bench or stool and you’re open for business. For storage and files, use woven baskets, desktop magazine binders or a file cube on wheels.
Consider what they did in the old West, and simply use a folding screen to screen your office if you want a little privacy.
2. Get In a Closet
Anyone who works at home knows the benefit of having a spare bedroom to do double duty as an office, sewing room, reading room or playroom. But if you want it to function for guests at the same time, simply steal the closet for your working needs, and make other arrangements for occasional guests and their clothes. You’ll gain the efficiency of full-time office space and the comfort of knowing that you can invite visitors. An old-fashioned hall tree or armoire and a stylish luggage rack will serve guest needs while you happily conduct business in a well-organized “room” custom-made for your business. But it doesn’t have to be in a bedroom.
A five or six-foot closet with either bi-fold or bypass doors will work beautifully. Remove existing rods and shelves. Install a desk-height surface the entire width of the closet; slide a file cabinet underneath on one or both ends, and add a shelf or two above, along with favorite art or display shelves. Swath the back wall with cork, magnetic paint or white board if you prefer. You might have to call in an electrician to add a proper light and some receptacles for your computer, but other than that, you can probably complete the project in record time by yourself. With the doors open, you’re a busy executive; when you close the doors, you’re just steps away from home.
3. Go Vertical or Stand Up
Stand up desks are all the rage these days in office settings, for health and efficiency. Why not try the innovative idea at home? Think of a podium takes and look around your home to see where you can place your “office.” If you’re computer needs are well served with a smart phone and a lap top, there are really no limitations to where you can set up. As a space-age alternative, layer different functions in a tower-like structure that can be swiveled to alternately hide the contents or reveal the wonders within. Much like a super-sized revolving photo album or CD storage box, the entire pedestal can look, at times, like a work of art or a compact command center. It could very likely become the focal point of a room; and as an “art piece” it could be at home in any room of your home.
4. Move Out (to the Yard)
All you really need for a home office is a few feet of space. If you have a large room, subdivide it with a half or three-quarter height wall. It can be free standing or permanently installed. The smaller space behind the wall becomes your workspace. Chances are you won’t even notice the missing few feet from the living room, dining area or den. But if you really want to get away and have a place just for business, think about a freestanding shed out in the yard! It will help you separate your personal life from your business, but it can also function as a place to dream, to plan and to enjoy the natural surroundings. You know what they say about “all work and no play.”
5. Perform Magic
Assess all the possibilities. In most homes, you can add on, extend up, create a nook, take advantage of dual-purpose furniture, and find much-needed space without spending big bucks. Explore the under-the-stairs space.  If you have high ceilings in an older home or a vaulted ceiling in a new loft, create a second level. You can even take a page from a children’s furniture design book, and lift a bed to new heights to create a cozy office space underneath.
The most important thing to remember is that if your business takes off, chances are you will be moving into a “real” office at some point, so simply enjoy the now, and look toward the future.
2 Point Highlight
You can even take a page a children’s furniture design book, and lift a bed to new heights to create a cozy office space underneath.
Install a desk-height surface the entire width of the closet; slide a file cabinet underneath on one or both ends, and add a shelf or two above, along with favorite art or display shelves. Swath the back wall with cork, magnetic paint or white board if you prefer.
