Creating and Organizing a Home Office by Wanda Baader

There are many hurdles that small business owners face daily. One of the challenges can be that you don’t have a dedicated home office space.  Perhaps you are working off the kitchen table.  So where do you keep those files and office supplies?

I have a few suggestions that may help.

1.     If you have a closet that is not used very often take it over as your office.  If you don’t have a full closet to take over, claim part of it.

2.     In the closet if you only have hang bars and no shelving, I suggest that you get a bookshelf (they come in all shapes and sizes) and put it into the space.  This will give you vertical storage with some adjustability.

3.     If you have the space and budget build a small desk area inside the closet.

4.     If you only have part of a closet, devote a space that is only for your business.  Make sure that your spouse and family respect this space, as yours. In this space place office supply, portable file storage and items that are connected to your business.  Use containers that will keep your items together and be sure to label them accordingly.

5.     Try and make sure that your work space is comfortable with appropriate seating and adequate lighting to reduce fatigue.  Even if you are working on the dining room table treat yourself to an ergonomic chair when working and just move it out of the way when you’re not.

6.     Re-purpose items that you may already have for additional storage.  For instance, use a shoe bag that you can hang on the backside of a closet door for office supplies.

7.     Use technology as much as possible to reduce paper and keep your business organized.