Running a business out of your home is an ideal scenario for many people. You save on office overhead, commuting time, and it’s likely easier to take care of family members when they need you, such as when kids are home sick or for a school holiday. There are also drawbacks, particularly if your business grows and your once-adequate home office now feels like it’s bursting at the seams.

Depending on your setup and type of business, it may be difficult to meet clients or vendors at your home office, whether due to a lack of privacy inside or parking spaces outside. Today, Icon Refined explores some options to make your home office work as hard for your business as you do.

Do you have the right business structure?

There are so many considerations that go into running a business that every once in a while it’s good to take a step back and ask yourself if you’re on the right path. For instance, if you’ve been a sole proprietor, it may be time to restructure as an LLC, which can provide additional tax benefits and legal protections. This can be particularly beneficial if you plan to start hiring remote staff, and an LLC enables you to register for an EIN (or tax identification number). An EIN comes with an extra layer of protection for your company and ensures you’re able to separate your business and personal finances.

Are you staying motivated? Optimize the Home and Get That Degree

If you’re confident that your business is properly structured, the next step is to look at yourself. Are you staying healthy and positive so that you can invest your best efforts? If not, see what you can do to improve your diet and sleep schedule, as well as your exercise regimen. As for your workday, do you take enough breaks? Do you get enough light? Do you have a workspace that promotes productivity?

It is important that your physical space meets your needs, but don’t overlook the temperature of this space. If you’re getting drowsy midday and feeling a little warm, the freon levels in your HVAC unit might be to blame. Luckily, it’s nothing that recharging your home air conditioning can’t fix. But don’t try to make this repair yourself. It’s best to leave it to the experts. Look online for a local company that is rated for trustworthy repairs, and call a few businesses to find one that’s right for you. Once your unit is recharged, hopefully, you will be too.

One way to ramp up your motivation is to pursue a goal you’ve been putting off, such as going back to school to get a degree that will open doors either in your current job or another field altogether. For example, going back to school and earning an online degree with certifications in IT allows you to learn about IT management, data analytics, or cybersecurity. This can turn into a very promising career with abundant opportunities, as computer and information technology is one of today’s fastest growing career fields and is expected to offer more than 682,000 new jobs through the next decade, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

Will a simple redesign do the trick?

If your space is generally adequate but crowded, look at what items you can purge. Do you have bookshelves filled with books you never use? See what printed resources you can access online, allowing you to get rid of several books and perhaps remove the bookshelves altogether, or replace them with wall shelves that leave more open floor space. Paper contributes to office clutter, so go digital as much as possible. If you are unsure where to start, contact an interior designer who specializes in streamlining home offices.

On the technology front, an all-in-one computer or sleek laptop can save space by replacing a traditional computer tower and monitor combination, allowing you to get a smaller computer workstation. As you grow and your IT needs grow, TechnologyAdvice notes that you may be able to save money on capital expenditures for additional hardware by moving to cloud-based services. A tech services company experienced in cloud-based services can help you select the right services that meet both your future and current needs.

Is renovation the answer?

If you love other aspects of your home and it otherwise meets your family’s needs, consider whether renovating your office space is worth the effort and will give you the results you need. You have to align what you want with what you have to spend, so that may be a key determining factor.

For example, if you plan on hiring an employee or two, you’ll need adequate room for additional workstations, and perhaps a small bathroom and break room. You may also want to incorporate a small gathering area for meeting with clients. Adding a separate entry will also eliminate employee and client traffic in other areas of your home.

Be sure to check with your Local Planning Authority before you begin any renovation.

If it looks like you need an address change …

If you’re convinced that neither a remodel nor renovation will suit your current and future home office needs, then it may be time to consider purchasing a new home. You can compare that option to renting a dedicated office space somewhere else, but be sure to evaluate the drawbacks, such as any commute time and decreased flexibility with your family. Review the current and short-term home market predictions as well, so you can determine if it’s a good time to buy or if you’re better off waiting for several months.

When looking at homes, you want to work with a dedicated agent who is familiar with the area and who understands your business and personal needs. You might ask your agent about buying an “as is” home, which means there are substantial issues that the current owner will not repair before the sale. Buying these properties can be risky, but it can also be lucrative if you find the right balance of potential, repair costs, and asking price. This option could be perfect for you if the house has enough space for your expanded home office but work with an attorney well-versed in these kinds of sales before you commit.

Making the most of your investments

Your home is one of the most expensive and important investments you will make in your lifetime, so spending some time to make sure it works hard for you is time well spent. Making the right decision about adapting your home office to your business can bring peace of mind for you and your family while adding value to your business’s bottom line – a win-win.