Transformation: Home Based Business Office

Transformation: Home Based Business Office

Many people have home based businesses and have created space to accommodate the daily running of their businesses. Usually isn’t too much money to spend on furniture and outside help to get the office looking professional and working efficiently. Today we are going to look at an office makeover – using only existing furniture.

Office Before

This client established his business office in the basement of his Chicago home. At the bottom of the stairs, as pictured in the photo below, he stumbled through the chaos of his hectic daily business life. His desk was in the corner, facing the corner with his back to the rest of the work room. He also used two other computers for his business which were not easily accessed. This positioning and lack of flow created a chaotic feel to the space. We discussed his work from beginning to end to assess what a good flow would be; where old and new files should be kept; what hardware and furnishings he needed before we ever started.

Office After

We took out furniture that was not going to be directly used by the company business. We purged manuals, files and general clutter then we moved all the items to be kept to shelving that already existed in the basement (assigning shelves for specific items – like office supplies, hardware, computer back ups, reference files, manuals, etc).

To organize the office for a better work flow, the desk was pulled away from the wall to face the stairway and also to be situated under one of the few available light sources in the room (additional lighting, painting, etc. would be completed at a later date).

The once overcrowded bookcase was placed behind the desk area for current client project files. This way, he could easily move his chair to the book case and back to his desk if a client called. AND he always would know where his current files could be found. The printer was also moved within easy reach. Computer wires, software, old hardware and papers were organized and put away or tossed. One table (as seen in second photo) was cleared off to be used as workspace when additional people were working or as a conference table for clients and employees.

Anyone can create a calm, efficient working space by first determining the flow of the work; how often paperwork needs to be referred to; getting rid of unnecessary furniture pieces & outdated printed materials (it’s probably online!); and moving the remaining furniture to create areas that have a calm, easy work flow. Try this in your home office and let us know how it worked for you!