Keys to Setting Up a Home Office

In order to maintain a work-life balance when starting a home-based company, it's important to create a business-only zone – somewhere you can be both productive and creative for hours at a time. Your home office should be free of distractions during your working hours, but it should also be a place you can close off at the end of the day when it's time to be with family or friends. If you're planning on opening a startup out of your house, take a look at these keys to setting up your home office:

Keep it Professional
One of the common fears people have about starting a business out of their home is that it can give the wrong impression to clients. You don't want someone important to walk into a cluttered room and have to move a laundry basket off of an armchair to sit down. Aim to create a space that's as professional as it would be if you were in an office building. Set up a desk, chairs and other furniture as needed throughout the room so it appears professional and put together.

Find a Room Far From Distractions
If possible, your office should be in its own room, preferably with a door that can shut out distractions. This is especially important if you live with your family or children. Keeping everything separate will be good for both productivity and a balanced lifestyle.

Use a P.O. Box
In the interest of staying as professional as possible, it's a good idea to use a P.O. box rather than your home's address for everything business-related. Having both a business and a residence at the same address is often confusing for the post office, and sometimes results in lost mail. Set up a P.O. box right away, and be sure to put the correct address on your business return labels.

Organization Matters
Having a constantly messy desk and over-flowing filing cabinets means you'll be spending an inordinate amount of time riffling through various presentation folders and documents until you find the right one. Keep your desk, drawers and even computer as organized as possible, and you'll notice you're able to work more productively and efficiently.

Don't Forget Your Insurance
Most homeowners' insurance won't cover business-related expenses, so make sure your company is fully covered as its own entity. Also, some cities and counties actually require permits to set up businesses in a residence, so check with your local government and be sure to follow all laws and ordinances. 

Utilize Natural Light
Natural light is known for its many benefits, among them increasing energy and happiness. So, if you have windows in your home office, make sure you do your best to utilize the light streaming through them. Don't block the sunlight with curtains and situate your desk as close to the windows as possible. If you don't have windows, or they don't let in much light, Inc.com suggests using full-spectrum bulbs (which mimic natural sunshine) in all of your lamps.