My Space
By Kelly Land, © 2005-2009, All rights reserved.

For two years my "home office" space was a corner of my dining room. Thank goodness we had a small table to eat at in our kitchen, because the dining room became buried in my work. It was rendered unusable for all purposes intended, but became MY home office space instead. I was thrilled to have ANY space, so I did not complain. My husband ran phone and computer cable up through the basement into the dining room. Yep, we drilled holes right through the floor so that I could have what I needed. I was happy in that sunny, cramped little spot. Eventually we finished our basement and I moved down there. Which is where I sit today. I'm under a small window, and the basement door lets light in as well. I have more space than I need, but I miss my little corner at times. I was upstairs, with a great view, lots of sunshine and just a step away from the kitchen and bathroom. Good side.... I'm away from the hustle and the bustle of my family, the TV and the distractions that come with sitting at a full window at the front of my house.

I guess what I'm trying to say is it doesn't matter where you make your space -- just make it. There will be good and bad to any spot you pick. If you're not a gazzillionaire, then you'll need to make do. We'd all love to have the "home office" that's built by our home. We walked down a small, woodland path to this magnificent little home office we've had built. The creek runs near by, we have a full kitchen, couch and bathroom! But....lets get back to reality. The basic home is 2000 square feet -- so carving out a spot can be tricky.

Many women I have talked to have set-up home office shop at their kitchen counter. Many have converted linen closets into home business supply closets. Keeping your home office items, products, supplies etc together is important. Even if you have to do it in your garage, keep you overstock etc organized, protected from the elements and together. Your desk, phone and computer can be elsewhere if need be.

If you're single, then turn a spot in your bedroom into your home office space. I have two very good friends that do just that. They have a spot to put their laptop, phone and essentials and that's where they work. My friend Emily is an Avon rep making $25,000 a year, all from a corner in her bedroom. She tells me..."It's not about having this huge, spacious, swanky office. It's what you do with the time you have to do business. Many people have these great home offices, but they never do any work in them. They 'play' home office and get nowhere. I don't mind having a tiny space. It's mine, cost efficient, and my home business is consistently growing!"

The bottom line is having a space you CAN work in. When picking out your space make sure you have access to a phone (if you need it), plug-ins for your computer and modem, and decent lighting. Try to keep it away from others in the home, especially kids. If you work late, you won't want to keep them up with your lights, talking and typing. My husband would go bonkers if I worked in our bedroom. He has to be up at 6:30am, my schedule is more flexible -- so try to take into consideration others in the home.

At first, don't go crazy with buying tons of home office "stuff". Pace yourself. Make sure you're loving what you do before you dump money into it.

It took me three years of working to save up the money to finish our basement. Even then it was hard, and we did a lot of the work ourselves. If you have unfinished area in your home, or space to add on in the future, keep that in mind as you move ahead with your business. Get estimates and create a goal.

Do not be discouraged if you're having to work from your couch, a large bathroom or even a hallway cove. Listen, I talk to fabulous, successful work at home moms and women every day. Some of them are working out of areas just like those in their homes. Some work with a laptop in their bed and products shoved in boxes under their beds. It's fulfilling your dream of working at home that matters. Finding some space to make that dream come true can take on many forms. Just be consistent, keep everything together and organized and tell your family that this space is OFF LIMITS to them. Tell them plainly...."Don't touch the pens, pencils, papers, notepads etc!" My kids and husband know that they are not allowed to rummage my desk or lay their things on my desk. Because my desk sits right at the basement and garage door they had a tendency at first to lay their book bags, coats, toys, mail, newspapers and even the dog food bowl on my desk or in my office! I laid down the law, and now everyone in my house knows --- "Mom's office is off limits to us and our friends!" (I'm really not as mean as it sounds, but I had to make rules for my sanity's sake!)

Start thinking about YOUR home office space today. Take a good look around at where you can create it. Carve it out of your home and make it your own spot. Creating home office space is a necessity in my opinion if you want to win at the work at home game.

I have found great deals to help me get organized and situate my work space on a budget:


StacksandStacks.com  often has sales. They often have free shipping too. You can really snag some bargains here. Not only have I used them for my home office....but for the family room and the kids' closets!


Here are some great books on setting up your office. Many of these you can buy used at a steal. I've used Amazon for YEARS. I've never had any issues with my purchase or payment process. Secure, fast and wonderful.
 

 
Fabulous book. The one I used when finishing my basement! Many ideas for all types of work at home office spaces. -Kelly Land








- Gorgeous photos. Cool ideas. -Kelly Land

Home Office Update 01/07/2009

Well...it did indeed take YEARS. OVER 3 years to finally save up enough money to decorate my office and get decent furniture. But it was worth all the scrimping and saving.

I love the wallpaper I picked out, the furniture.....everything. It's made a world of difference about how I feel about "going" to work.

It took me awhile - but my 10x10 space is awesome to me.....it's perfect.




Home Office Update 10/01/2005:

Since moving to our new home in September 2005 - I officially have an office UPSTAIRS - it's small, only 10x10 - but it is MY office. I have a wonderful view out the front of the house. It looks down at a horse pasture - with 4 very pretty horses. (Not my horses.....a neighbors.)

I hung a chime outside on the porch - and in the summer I can hear it make beautiful tones on days with breezes.

I'm thinking of wallpapering my "little work space" - been pouring over wallpaper books whenever I get the chance. I'm thinking of something "folk art" like. If and when I ever save up for the wallpaper - I will take pics. I also need curtains too.....

SOMEDAY!
Takes time.
I'm just happy for the space. I've been looking at some of the books suggested above to give me ideas as well. Of course - my office has to be done within a budget - but it is helpful to look at other set-ups, curtains, shelves....etc.

I'm hoping if I stash a little money away each month, then maybe in 2-3 years I can finally get a nice desk....and the whole works. We shall see!


Copyright 2005 - 2009. All rights reserved. Any reproduction of this article in whole or in part without written or verbal permission is strictly prohibited.