Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning we get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through our links, at no cost to you. Please read our disclosure for more info.
Last Updated on January 20, 2024 by Work In My Pajamas
Modern technology allows businesses to run their operations from home. That’s a great way to save money on offices and overhead and it also provides more free and personal time for the employees, which is often more important than pay.
In order to make this work, you need to set up a home office that will combine all the comforts of working from home with all the productivity that comes with an actual corporate office. This can be done in phases and shouldn’t set you back too much.
Structure a work day
Working from home means that you can take a break at any time you want or start a work day based on your comfort and needs. That’s a great advantage and makes for a more productive worker. However, it can also be a burden if you’re prone to procrastination or have a busy personal life.
It’s best to structure your work day as if you have office hours and dedicate a portion of your day to work diligently and without interference. You can still start late and take as many breaks as you need, but it’s important for your day to have structure.
Making the office comfortable
Corporate offices aren’t the most comfortable places in the world. This is partly because comfort can be expensive, and partly because they are suited to the average employee and that leaves a lot of people out.
With a home office, you can make arrangements and create a space that’s best suited to your needs and style of work. A big part of this is having as much room and natural light as possible because those are scarce in the corporate office and they make work so much easier.
Staying connected
It can often feel like you’re out of the loop when you’re working from home. This can be challenging for businesses that rely on online marketing and being a part of a community of users and customers. This is why you should set up an ADSL and internet line that you can trust as soon as you set up a home office.
It’s also a good idea to have an emergency electrician on speed dial in case something goes wrong with your system and you don’t want to interrupt the work.
Taxes and financial management
Running an office requires much more work than most employees might think. There’s a lot of overhead and services that you need to provide and an office can also affect how you pay your taxes because some of the office-related expenses can be written off.
All of this is up to you when the office is located in your home. That’s why it might be best to hire a professional tax attorney or a financial manager to help you with the paperwork. There’s no need to retain their services full-time, but they should be on your team.
Getting out of the home
It may seem strange to have a home office outside the home, but it’s what a lot of professionals seem to be doing after a while. The “home” part refers to the fact that the office belongs to you and operates under your rules and not its location specifically.
Working from home can blur the boundaries between work and personal life and leave you feeling like you’re working all the time. When you notice this happening, it might be best to rent an office nearby.
A home office can be just as productive as a corporate one. The key is to have all the equipment that you might need and to create boundaries for yourself.
