Creating a home office

With such a huge number, 2008 saw the first ever ‘National Work from Home Day’. Recent Statistics, according to the RAC Foundation, found that twenty-five million people in the UK still commute to and from a fixed place of work, 18 million of which go by car – and the rest by other means.

There are plenty of good reasons to work from home; reports suggest that by 2025, congestion will waste around £22 billion worth of time in England alone. The travel cost savings made in just six months could mount up to the price of a family holiday abroad!

In a time of eco-awareness and high stress levels of everyday living, working from home can save time, energy and money, not to mention reducing carbon emissions and pollution. Significant savings are going to be made on rent or travel and with the ever-increasing price of petrol, now’s the time to make the move to a home office. It's probably the place where you feel most relaxed – with no dress code and a flexible lunch hour!

Yet whether you’ll get as much work done is another question – what you have to take into consideration is the fact that your home could possibly include noisy children, doorbell interruptions and the distractions of home comforts. If you are serious about setting up to work from your house, then take a look at the simple guide we have compiled to make your home office into a professional and productive, personal environment.

Location and space

Firstly, you have to decide where your office will be; will you adapt an existing space, such as a spare room, or add extra space to your house with an extension?

• Before you start planning, consider your needs, property and available funds.
• What features will provide you with the most beneficial working space?
• If you’re simply after a quiet secluded workplace consider using a spare room or convert your basement/loft. These will provide plenty of space without the cost and inconvenience of an extension that could drag on for months.
• If clients/customers will be visiting the premises consider extending the ground floor of your house, but include a completely separate entrance that will take them straight into your office.
• Ensure you have the important features of an office. Ensure you have enough electrical outlets, suitable lighting and ample storage or filing.
• Maximise a good-sized office by setting desks up in a U-shape so that you are able to reach all three surfaces without having to walk across the room.
• In a smaller office, buy a little table just big enough for your computer system and then place two more tables either side at an angle, resembling a V-shape. This enables easy access to all three surfaces without taking up floor space.

Insurance

Home-workers need to ensure they have the correct home insurance in place. Remember to adapt your existing insurance to protect yourself from accidents in and around the home while in work time, including potential damage to your equipment or loss of data, otherwise a relatively small accident could put your business under threat.

Office essentials

Though moving into your own home office is an effective way of saving money and boosting your business’ profits, try not to be tempted to splash these savings on expensive furniture and designer paintings. Make sure you cover the essential first:

• Sound proofing the room is going to be the most effective way to reduce noise however it will also be one of the most expensive.
• To reduce noise at least 25 per cent of a room should have a soft surface, including carpeting and upholstered furniture, as these absorb noise. Door and window frames can be sealed to reduce rattling and outside noise when closed.
• Spend money on a quality desk chair and suitable lighting, as these make a long day in the office a lot more comfortable
• Ensure you install a ‘work-only’ computer, including business only phone line and broadband, into your office. This reduces the likelihood of damage, and makes it possible for you to claim back the running costs as a business expense for tax purposes.
• Be sure to buy a chair that enables you to sit at eye-level with the computer and fully supports your posture.
• Large rubbish bins to stay tidy and professional– you’ll be surprised how much paper and packaging you get through in just one week.
• A magnetic board/pin board
• A landing spot for incoming mail. Important documents, and even cheques, could easily get swept up with everything else

Handy tips

Keep your business facilities separate from your home and family. Young children who use the same computer as you during the evening could easily put it out of action simply by spilling a drink over the key board.

Creating a barrier between your office and your home life is the key to a successful move. Don’t be tempted to install anything in the same room as it may reduce productivity levels.

Remember not to live in your office. Make it feel homely by adding colourful plants and photos of your family but don’t be tempted to work overtime just because it is down the hallway.

If you do decide to build an office extension consider designing it in such a way that it can be utilised as a bedroom or dining room in order to add considerable value to the property if/when you come to sell.

Creating a home office doesn’t have to be time consuming or expensive and the savings made can make a huge difference to your overall quality of life. Flexible working hours are an advantage for parents with young children, and hopefully with our basic guide you can create an office space perfect for your business needs.