A few weeks ago, I read this interesting article about balancing work & life while running a home office. It really made me think about the boundaries between family and professional life while operating a home based business.

Since my significant other, Tim  and I both operate home businesses, we realized we needed to make a change. Our desks too close to the kitchen. We used our dining room table for sorting and shipping. His inventory was in the living room on shelves away from his PC. Where we relaxed was where we worked. Although it was organized chaos, there was really no distinct boundary.

Recently,  we took upon the daunting task of consolidating. He moved everything into one separate room where he could manage the inventory near his desk. I isolated my desk away from any major family activity but close enough to see my children while they are playing. We are still unpacking but I am thrilled we now have specific areas dedicated towards work and family.

When planning our new layout here are things we considered:

Place for children: For younger children, you will still need to keep a watchful eye while working. Many times children just want to be close to you. To resolve that issue, strategically place a couch or bean bag where they can play near you, with the understanding they do not bother you while you are at your desk.

Place for relaxation and entertaining: Create a space in your house that has no signs of a home office. In this area, create a soothing atmosphere with the use of candles, warm fabrics, comfortable furniture and the things you love and enjoy. Not only can this space become your escape zone, but also can be used for welcoming friends and clients.

Place for eating: Don’t use your kitchen table as an extension of your office desk. Not only will it look cluttered, you will also be tempted to never use it for eating. Never eat at your desk as you will not only be unfocused but also it’s unsanitary. Your meal time should be something you enjoy and it allows you to recharge and refuel for the work ahead.

Place for your inventory and materials: If you sell products and house your inventory at home, make sure you don’t need to walk though the house in order to find what you need. Keep your products as close as possible to you. Also, make sure you have enough storage space near your desk for other items such as files, marketing material and supplies.

Place for your schedule and reminders: I believe planning and staying focused is the key to home business success. Set aside time in your day to plan family responsibilities such as laundry, dishes and cleaning the pool. What has helped me is to also have an alarm clock where i set periodically throughout the day. When I am engrossed in a project, it’s much easier to stop if I have alarm beeping at me vs a clock that’s too easy to ignore.

What I have learned: Although working at home offers many benefits such as flexibility, being your own boss and creative control, it also has it’s own challenges and logistics. Before you dive into the world of a home based business, consider all the angles.