A home office needs to be connected. Not just to electricity, but to the internet - and each other. In planning your project, you should consider a number of important variables:
Which furnishings you choose depends in large part on five variables: the available space, your preferred style, your available budget, and the intended function of the home office. Let's examine each of them in more detail.
Regardless of these variables, a few furniture items are a must for any successful home office. You need, for example, a desk area that's large enough to accommodate both your computer and the additional space you have to complete your work.
You may decide to go with a standing desk, which has risen in popularity thanks to its health benefits. If you don't, you need to find a desk chair that allows you to sit comfortably and without harming your body. If your work does not require a computer at all times, you should also think about a sitting area (such as a couch or comfortable chair) that allows you to get away from your desk when possible.
Return to TopWhen working from home, as is the case in a regular office, you need to make sure that your hardware is up to date. Plan regular updates into your budget to optimize your functionality and your technology's reliability. These upgrades can vary widely.
If you are just moving into a home office, your existing home hardware may no longer be enough to support your work. You may need to upgrade your computer, printer, scanner, or phones. You may benefit from adding extra monitors that allow you to work in large spreadsheets and calculation programs. Finally, you may require a TV that helps improve video conferences and presentations.
The costs for these updates depends largely on your needs. A new computer, for example, will cost you anywhere between $500.00 to $1,500.00. A new scanner, especially if you need to scan in high volumes of documents, can cost up to $349.00. A new phone or simple printer, on the other hand, are available for less than $100.
Return to TopWhen building or renovating your home office, it's easy to get swept away in the costs - but don't forget about potential savings, as well. In fact, a variety of tax breaks can help you finance your new space.
The home office deduction in the U.S. tax code is limited to spaces that you use exclusively for work. If your home office does not take up an entire room, it needs to be clearly separated from your living area. It also needs to be your principal place of business, meaning that you don't only use it as an alternative location.
But as long as your home office fulfills these restrictions, you can take advantage of a number of tax benefits, including:
For your home office, each tax season is a new process. Don't assume you'll just get the same deductions and tax breaks as last year; instead, keep an itemized list of expenses so you can report your taxes and deductions as accurately as possible.
Return to TopHome offices come in all shapes and sizes. A nook in your kitchen may be all you need and especially smaller homes often call for creative solutions to placing a work area. If you work primarily from home, you may need a more permanent solution. In that case, planning is absolutely crucial. Research the furniture, options, and costs available to you, and make decisions according to your budget, personal preferences, and professional needs.
For example, you need your home office to become a showcase for peers and clients, consider going with classical, dark wood furniture. On the other hand, technically-inclined and creative professions often benefit from a more modern look with clean lines and bright colors. Regardless of the look, you need to make sure that plenty of natural light can enter your home office. Lamps also matter, of course, but natural light has been shown to improve your health while working.
In short, do your research and avoid outspending your budget. If you don't have the money to renovate an entire room, start with a quiet corner of your bedroom or living area. Then, as your business and career grows, you can make the move into a larger space.
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