HOME WORK

GIVE YOUR WFH BUSINESS A BOOST WITH AN OFFICE SPACE THAT’S RIGHT FOR YOU, YOUR JOB AND YOUR CLIENTS

Words JANE PARBURY

The end of the financial year is a great time to review the set-up of your home-based business, including whether your home office suits you and the work you do. If you’ve been putting up with a less-than-ideal space, you can take advantage of the end of the financial year to make changes. Plus, you may be able to claim home-office purchases against your income for tax purposes, but check with your tax advisor or accountant before you invest.

TAX TIME BONUS FLIP OVER THIS MAGAZINE FOR 24 PAGES OF TAX OFFICE UPDATES, TOP TIPS AND SMART BUYS FOR TRADIES

Sort out your space

If your job takes you out and about, your kitchen table may be where you tackle admin and invoicing. Look around to see if there’s somewhere you can carve out a work area. John Harrison of Kaboodle Kitchen says a great way to maximise space for a home office is to extend your wardrobe or kitchen cabinetry. “Create a cohesive, seamless look by using benchtops or shelving that match existing joinery to make a desk extension or to add floating or open shelves,” he says.

If you already have a dedicated area for business, think about how well it works. Improvements could be as simple as redecorating, moving furniture and investing in a few key pieces. Try fresh paint (blues are said to be good for productivity) and place your desk to take advantage of any natural light. Position it side-on to a window to help reduce screen glare.

Good artificial lighting is a must. Engage an electrician to install downlights for general illumination and a professional look, but anyone can add a stylish desk lamp for a targeted glow – perfect for both close work and a hit of personality.

Find the right furniture

Your desk should be big and comfortable enough so that you can spread out, but it shouldn’t take over the space, says stylist Tilly Roberts (tillyrobertsdesign.com). Make sure there’s enough room to easily access your chair and move around the desk in

App Assistance

Holly Shoebridge of Oceans Accounting (oceansaccounting. com.au) suggests four apps to help smooth your working life.* Xero Cloud-based accounting app for small-to-medium enterprise (SME) businesses of all sizes and structures.

Rounded Costeffective accounting app, targeted to sole traders. “The team at Rounded are very responsive, and the platform is really easy to use,” says Holly.

QuickBooks Accounting package mostly aimed at SMEs. ATO app “There’s a motor vehicle logbook within the ATO app,” says Holly. “Tradies can be among those who benefit the most from having a MV logbook, to boost motor vehicle expense claims.” comfort. “Face it towards something inspiring, like an artwork, photos of loved ones or a moodboard,” she suggests.

When seated on your chair, your thighs should be parallel to the ground and feet flat. Chair back support is important, says Tilly. “Make sure you can lean against it – a short back can be restrictive.” The seat should be deep enough for you to sit back while having clearance behind your knees at the front edge.

Stash your stuff

Paperwork tends to hang around, but switching to digital record-keeping can help tame the paper mountain. Plus, says Jessica Haslem of Flexi Storage, “One of the easiest ways to optimise home office storage is to declutter.”

Review your current storage options – if you need lockable cabinetry for valuable items, now could be a good time to invest. For documents you may need to keep, such as for tax returns, try archive boxes or lidded plastic tubs. Store them somewhere accessible but out of the way to keep your workspace clear.

Some storage systems let you mix and match pieces. “Pair a Flexi Storage Clever Cube unit with a range of inserts, like a two-drawer insert or wire undershelf basket, to store important paperwork or hold frequently used items like pens,” suggests Jessica. “Use the remaining compartments for smaller electronics such as chargers, headphones and flash drives.”

Go public

First impressions are important when your workspace needs to host client meetings. “For a home office that looks great on a video call, open and floating shelves are perfect for showcasing your personal style,” says John. “Add plants for a touch of green, or even wall panelling for visual interest in a colour of your choice.”

If your space doesn’t allow for a stylish or neutral backdrop, turn to tech. Plenty of virtual meeting apps, including Teams and Zoom, have a blur or replacement background option, but read the room; humorous or frivolous scenes can send an unprofessional message. With in-person client meetings, a calm, tidy space will likely instil confidence in prospective customers. “Imagine the space from the client’s perspective,” says Tilly. “Be mindful of items you might be used to seeing, but can be an eyesore to others. Hide messy cords in a cord station, use beautiful storage boxes for office essentials and bring it to life with art, fresh flowers or photos.”

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‘Chloe’ in Black, $54.48, I/N: 0257821. 7 Artiss in Natural, $119.95*, I/N: 0170797. 8 Arlec ‘Grid Connect’ smart plug-in socket with energy meter, $21.48, I/N: 0273367. 9 Casa Decor ‘Arles’ office chair in Grey, $144.95*, I/N: 0371600. 10 Ubiz Furniture ‘Xavier’ L-shape corner office desk in Oak & Ironstone, $327.75*, I/N: 0274027. 11 Ezy Storage 8L classic storage tub in Grey, $7.60, I/N: 2583408. 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 by a Bunnings Marketplace Trusted Seller. Not all items are available in all states and territories. *Delivery charges may apply.