A guest post from Amber Ramsey with an introduction by The Grammar Diva . . .
It seems as if everyone has a home office these days — even those people who don’t “work” at home. Of course, especially since the pandemic, many of us do work remotely or have a home business. But even for those who don’t technically work at home, the home office seems to be a necessity. And if you think about it, it makes sense. Almost everyone has some kind of computer, either a desktop, or more likely a laptop or notebook. Where are you going to put it if not in an office? And since much business is conducted by email, almost everyone has a printer. We need to print out our tax statements and other such things, as few people seem to send things by snail mail anymore. And we need a place to store paperwork (even though we like to think we are paperless). We need a quiet place to surf the internet, play Wordle, shop online. Yes, the home office is definitely important.
But this was not always the case. I watch House Hunters, and everyone seems to want an extra bedroom, or even two, for home offices. After all, two partners cannot share the same office! But long before the era of House Hunters, I watched sitcoms — a long time ago. I remember that the dads in these sitcoms always had a “study.” It was a mysterious place where the kids — and even the wife — were not welcome. It had a big wooden desk. It was usually dark. It was a place for the man of the house to read the newspaper or perhaps have a puff on the pipe or a drink. How we have evolved!
When I lived in California, I had a “home office,” since I was writing books — maybe even before I was writing books. It was at the end of my living room. I had two empty bedrooms upstairs after the kids left, but I never moved my office up there. I was comfortable at the front of the house, my office sharing the space with a piano and a living room. Actually, come to think of it, my office had a chandelier because it was supposed to be the dining area.
I am now in Florida, and things have not changed much. I have only two bedrooms, so one of them must be a office. However, I also need a guest room, so now my office has a daybed and a piano (well, a keyboard). I “need” a third bedroom, so I have been thinking of enclosing my screened-in lanai and making it my office. Then I can probably build out a new screened-in lanai. When I pull out the daybed for guests and put the keyboard in the garage, it is still very crowded in there.
If you have a home office and would like to make it more welcoming and make yourself more productive, here are some ideas from Amber Ramsey…
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Amber is a career woman. She’s fierce, confident, and has the “can do” attitude we all strive for. Like most of us, she started out in the corporate world, but she found that her fire, spirit, and creativity were better suited to the entrepreneurial lifestyle. Amber has been on both sides of the desk, as an employee and the boss, so she has plenty of career advice to share.
5 Tips on How to Upgrade Your Home Workspace on a Budget
With the growing popularity of remote work, it’s more crucial than ever to set up a dedicated workspace in the comfort of your home. Or, you might already work from home as a writer or are planning to open a home business. In that case, the following five tips presented will help you upgrade your at-home workstation to meet your needs on a budget.
- Add Mood-Affirming Colors to Your Workstation
Repainting a room is a low-cost method that can make a significant impact. Before diving in, however, consider the emotional impact of the colors you choose. Brighter, more saturated colors are associated with more robust emotional responses. For instance, the color blue has a calming and friendly effect. The color green is associated with hope and growth. Using neutral colors might help you feel relaxed, but dazzling white can increase your anxiety.
- Add Some Greenery to the Room
Adding some greenery to your writing workstation is a simple way to boost morale and productivity. In addition to enlivening a space with color and vibrancy, plants may be helpful in many other ways. For example, ciphr.com explains that plants around the office have been shown to provide several health benefits, including reduced stress, higher efficiency, and enhanced focus. Plants are also quite affordable, both to purchase and maintain.
- Improve Your Workspace Comfort
Sitting on a low-quality chair can cause discomfort or back pain, thus reducing productivity. Instead, try to get a high-quality office chair that can be adjusted to your ideal height and offers lumbar support. Most shops have excellent options if you are on a tight budget. You can get a basic and affordable chair with an ergonomic design without sacrificing elegance for comfort and support.
If you’re on a budget, look into business acquisitions whose sale has made offices – and their furnishings – unnecessary. Sometimes the company will sell or even give away the items in their physical office space that are no longer needed. It can be a great way to get quality furniture for a fraction of the price.
- Invest in Equipment That Increases Efficiency
Using a laptop for work might be inconvenient due to the limited space for typing and the inefficiency of the trackpad. However, increasing your productivity doesn’t require a brand-new, high-priced computer. Instead, look for a mouse and keyboard compatible with your laptop to transform it into a desktop computer.
If you’re experiencing slow internet speeds, CNET points out that upgrading your wireless router should help. While most internet service providers (ISPs) will hand you a modem and router, they may not provide the best speeds. Instead of paying a monthly charge to have one provided by your ISP, you may save money in the long run by purchasing your own router.
- Keep Your Workspace Climate Controlled
A well-maintained climate control system is the key to a healthy, pleasant, and cost-effective indoor environment and workspace. For example, suppose your HVAC system is noisy or not maintaining the desired temperature. In that case, it may be caused by the system’s age, faulty ductwork, or malfunctioning heat sensors. First, prevent further system damage by having it serviced as soon as possible. Then, use review sites to find a reliable company to fix it for you.
How to Pay for Your Workspace Upgrade
When it comes to running a business, there are a lot of expenses that can add up quickly. From overhead costs like rent and utilities to the price of inventory and marketing materials, it’s important to keep a close eye on your bottom line. But what about the costs associated with your home office? Can you count those as business expenses?
The answer is yes! In fact, the IRS allows small business owners like freelance writers to deduct a variety of home office expenses, including the cost of furniture, equipment, and even renovations. So if you’re planning a home office upgrade, be sure to keep track of your receipts and include those costs in your business expense budget. And remember, when it comes to deducting business expenses, it’s always better to err on the side of caution. If you’re unsure whether or not an expense qualifies, it’s best to consult with a tax professional.
Of course, there are other avenues you can explore as well. For example, a cash-out refinance is a type of mortgage loan that allows you to access the equity in your home and use it for other purposes. The funds from the refinance can be used to cover the cost of new furniture, renovations, or any other expenses related to setting up your new workspace. Cash-out refinances typically have lower interest rates than personal loans or credit cards, so they can be a more cost-effective way to finance your home upgrade.
Furthermore, the tax deduction on mortgage interest can help offset the cost of the refinance. If you’re thinking about taking out a cash-out refinance to pay for a home workspace upgrade, be sure to compare offers from multiple lenders to find the best rate and terms for your needs.
Upgraded Workspaces Can Enhance Productivity
Having a comfortable and beautiful climate-controlled office is just one of many ways you can boost your productivity as a writer working from home. Take steps to make your workspace a calm, productive place to spend your day. Then, do some research to help you determine how to cover the costs. You’ll soon have a great area to call your own.
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