Home-Based Businesses: Quick Tips for Creating the Perfect Office Space in Arlington
If you are or will be running a home-based business in Arlington, you’ll need to establish a private workspace and furnish it with everything you need to work effectively from home. Without the right office space for your business needs, you may struggle with distractions, productivity, and a poor work-life balance. Plus, the wrong office space could leave a negative impression on your clients and other visitors.
To learn how to create the best possible office space for your home-based business, check out these tips.
For honest, dedicated, and specialized real estate service in and around Arlington, connect with a skilled realtor from Winkelmann Properties! Call 703.850.5223 or email brad@winkelmannproperties.com.
Considerations for Home-Based Businesses
If you’re just getting your small business up and running, there are a few tasks you’ll need to complete before designing your new home office space. For starters, you’ll need to choose a legal structure for your business. As a small business owner, there are many benefits of forming a limited liability company (LLC) in Virginia, especially when it comes to choosing a management structure, protecting yourself from personal liability, filing the certificate of formation, and paying taxes.
Next, you’ll need to decide whether to form your business with help from an attorney, through your state’s Business Agency or Secretary of State office, or with an online business formation service. You’ll save money if you use an online formation service or simply file yourself, but you’ll need to check your state-specific LLC rules before doing so.
Thirdly, it’s important to review Arlington zoning laws to ensure that home-based businesses are permitted in your area. In some cases, a variance may be required in order to run your business from home.
Where to Locate Your Home Office
When selecting a space for your home-based business, several options will typically be available to you. Depending on your business needs, budget, and personal preferences, these options may include:
Converting a spare bedroom, closet, or nook into an office space.
Renovating a garage, basement, or attic to create space for your business.
Working with a contractor to build onto your current home.
Building an office shed in your backyard.
If you can’t find or create space in your current home, another option is to buy or build a new house altogether. If purchasing a new house is the right choice for you, you’ll need to start by determining your home buying budget, getting pre-approved for a mortgage, and hiring an experienced Arlington real estate agent from Winkelmann Properties to guide you along the way. When looking for homes that will accommodate you and your business needs, however, be sure to keep local zoning laws in mind.
Office Furniture and Equipment
Once you’re ready to design your new workspace, you may need to invest in a few pieces of office equipment. The Mayo Clinic’s guide to office ergonomics can help you to select a comfortable chair, keyboard, mouse, footrest, monitor, and desk — and position everything in a way that supports your head, neck, back, feet, and wrists.
You shouldn’t skimp on purchasing a quality office chair if you’ll be sitting for part of the day. And depending on the type of work you’ll be doing, you may need to purchase other furniture for clients and other visitors.
Final Words
When starting a home-based business in Arlington, the decision to buy a new house, pay for home renovations, or work with the space you have isn’t always clear. However, an experienced real estate agent from Winkelmann Properties can help you to decide whether you’ll be better off selling your home or staying put. Depending on your local housing market, the condition of your home, and several financial factors, one option may suit you and your business more than the others.
For more tips and updates about Arlington Virginia real estate and living check out my blog and follow me on Facebook @Brad Winkelmann Real Estate Arlington VA, Orange Line Metro.