office is the ultimate WFH retreat

In the zone

With residence-based businesses booming, here’s what you need to know about mixing your working life with your living space

Home office

The events of last year saw a host of Aussies set up a home office, joining the almost one million people already running their working life from their house or apartment. If it’s a permanent change for you, it’s worth considering what you need to do to get a proper home set-up – from finding the right spot for your desk to keeping a close eye on the security of your goods and tools. We’re sharing a few handy things to know. 

A suitable chair, good lighting and a clutter-free desk are crucial for a home working environment

Council approvals Generally, you can run a home business without local council approval provided your operations won’t impact your 1 neighbours. However, the rules vary between councils and, if your home-based business includes food-related products, you may need additional permits and approvals. Be sure to check with your local council about restrictions that apply to your type of business and your area.

Open-shelf storage gives you easy access to paperwork

Ubiz Furniture ‘Mantone’ 180cm executive corner L-shape workstation office desk in Beech/

Ironstone, $429*, I/N: 0243065 Brilliant ‘XL Lloyd’ flexi desk lamp in Black, $29.98, I/N: 0137640

Ubiz Furniture ‘Gell Conference’ visitor armchair, $129*,

I/N: 0243630

ONEX ‘EV10 Evolution’ suede edition gaming chair in Suede Blue, $369*, I/N: 0256456 2 Space makers If you have the room, a dedicated zone that you can close off is ideal, allowing you to shut the door on work at the end of the day. Depending on your needs, this could be anything from a desk area in a spare room to a dedicated study, converted garage or purpose-built studio (see page 22 for our story on a custom-built home office). Will customers need to visit you? In that case a separate entrance that saves people traipsing through your home to your study could be an important addition. 3 Store and order Furniture-wise, if you spend any amount of time at your desk, you’ll need a chair you can position at the right height for the kind of work you do, good task lighting and plenty of storage. For accounting purposes you’ll need to hold on to most records (such as invoices and receipts) for five years from the date you lodge your tax return, but the good news is these can now be kept in digital format, reducing the amount of paper in a typical home office. Decluttering expert Georgie Rees of Clutterfly (clutterfly.com.au) says if your home doesn’t have space to accommodate a work area, it’s particularly important to be organised. “It’s not uncommon to use the kitchen table as a temporary desk space,” she says. “This does mean our work items need somewhere to go when we pack up at the end of each day.” Georgie suggests an accessible cupboard to hold things overnight.

Flexi Storage 3 mesh

baskets and frame kit

in Black, $99, I/N: 0168747 Inabox 28L storage container with lid in Natural, $13.70, I/N: 0098200

‘Mantone’ 3 drawer filing cabinet in Select Beech/Ironstone, $399*, I/N: 0243168

Some products are not available at all Bunnings stores, but may be ordered.

This product is available to buy online only and is sold and delivered through a MarketLink Trusted Seller. Not all items are available in all states and territories. *Delivery charges may apply.

Safes and secure Depending on the nature and size of your homebased business, you may have to invest in extra security measures. Screen windows so your gear is out of easy sight of thieves, choose strong door and window locks and, for extra security, consider 4 5Taxing questions Accountant Holly Shoebridge, director of Oceans Accounting & handy burglar deterrents such as motion-activated cameras Advisory (oceansaccounting.com.au), and lighting. An alarm that can be linked to a monitoring says anyone setting up a business service, particularly if your job requires you to be out and about needs to establish clear procedures from a lot, is worthwhile. Secure tools in lockable cabinets and the start. Keeping good records makes essentials in a sturdy safe – if you can have one fitted in the it easier when it comes to quarterly wall or floor and screened from casual view, even better. tax reports. The first step is to set up a It’s also good practice to speak with an insurance broker, as separate bank account for your business, most home policies don’t cover business equipment and activities. which helps to develop an auditable Business insurance is usually a tax-deductible expense. financial trail and provides boundaries between personal and business spending. For business-related expenses, any deductions are required to have a direct connection to actual business income – check with your tax agent or accountant exactly what is allowable and keep receipts you can produce when required. Small business owners sometimes think of tax-deductible expenses as free money received back at tax time, but the true cash benefit is going to be relative to your personal income tax rate, which will differ from business to business and A converted garage, like this one by Front Porch Properties which uses Kaboodle cabinetry, is may only be 20-30 per cent of the full expense amount paid. “It’s a common misconception,” explains Holly. “Cash flow is king – you never spend for the prime home office space sake of a tax deduction.” The ATO website (ato.gov.au) has information on record keeping and income, and deductions for specific occupations, which can give you a good grounding, but for expert advice pertaining to your exact circumstances, always consult a qualified professional. At tax time, Holly advises speaking Sandleford 250mm large cash box in Black, $21, I/N: 4220922 Arlo ‘Essential’ spotlight wire-free security camera, $229, I/N: 0208567 Remsafe window restrictor cable lock, in Black, $19.40, I/N: 0026012 to a registered tax agent to get tailored advice on your unique business circumstances.* ◆

Swann 1080p indoor wi-fi security camera, $116, I/N: 0138782 Sandleford ‘EZ25L’ anti-theft digital safe, $99.90, I/N: 0187963 Pillar Products 2m x 0.9m mirror tinted window film, $28.50, I/N: 3961895

Some products are not available at all Bunnings stores, but may be ordered.

*This information in this article is general in nature and doesn’t take into account your specific financial position, needs or circumstances. As with any major project, you should look at your own financial position, objectives and requirements and seek professional advice before making any financial decisions.

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Improve privacy without losing natural light: bunnings.com.au/diy-window-film

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