Essentials to consider when designing your home office

When you're working from a home office and you need to welcome and impress clients

11:54 17 April 2015

You need to make your space, or spaces, both welcoming and different. Clients have probably seen it all before, especially if they're used to large corporate clients who know how to wheel out the high-quality and hi-tech gadgets that can make a real impression.

 

However, there's no reason that you can’t be impressive in your own way, and it's often the case that clients, and potential clients, like to engage with a smaller scale operation that still delivers real quality.

 

The technology trick

 

It's not really a trick, just a way of setting out who and what you are for your client. Do you go for Apple or another PC? You need to explore what your client is comfortable with and accentuate that if you can. Technology can be a bit of a devil because people have differing ideas as to what's best for them. You need to be comfortable with welcoming people into your home office and that they will buy into your vision.

 

High-grade technology can be expensive, but when it's for your business use you can offset that against your tax liabilities. You need to determine what is essential and what isn't, though sometimes you may want to incorporate something a little different that gives the heads up to a client that you are really worth investing in.

 

Creating the scene

 

It's all too easy to push out the boat and spend large amounts of money for specific design and product features for your home office, but you should think carefully about what you want to spend and if it will do what you want in terms of making your clients feel comfortable with your business offer.

 

Most business people are not impressed with overt shows of apparent wealth, but they do like to feel welcomed into a home office environment. They also like to know that you have thought about what you are presenting and the tech you have available so that they can be confident that you can deliver what they need.

 

When someone walks through your door, you want them to be impressed with what you have created. You can create an executive and luxury feel with careful attention to detail and some specific gadgets that will attract the attention and show you are serious about what you can offer.

 

Design your space

 

There's no point in trying to welcome a client into a small, poky office space. It may suit you to have a computer and some box files in a box room but it won't say much for your business. You need to use a good-sized room, one that can take a quality table with matching chairs and either have an attractive carpet or a superior quality wooden floor. It depends on what ambience you are trying to create, but the first impression you create when a client walks into your home office may well be the key one.

 

When you're using good quality furniture for the basics of having a meeting, you should consider what else will add to the environment to encourage clients to trust you.

 

It may not be a good idea to fill your desk with family photographs. They may be nice for you but your client doesn't need to know this. When you are looking at design, don't clutter your space. Keep clean lines and use colours that are neutral but appealing.

 

Greens and blues coupled with yellows and whites will give a sense of relaxation, often ideal for a meeting environment. It's probably best to avoid bold colours such as red, orange and black. They can be challenging and not necessarily the image you want to portray.

 

Add some special touches

 

Home offices are individual, but you can add some special touches to make your visitors feel they have their own unique vision into why they want to do business with you.

 

Artworks on the walls are an important part of how you want to convey your business ethos. Tasteful prints or some originals that are eye-catching but work with the décor can be good for making an impact on a client. Visual art can sometimes be overlooked when it comes to designing your home office space, but you shouldn't ignore the impact it can make.

 

Another neat touch would be to add a small mini bar area so that you can do some relaxed corporate entertaining. This is a great back up to your boardroom and meeting space, and allows you to switch from the serious business that you'll be discussing to the more personal and informal talks that you'll have either before or after your meetings.

 

Add the tech

 

There's little doubt that some top-level products will help create the impression that you want to give to your clients.

 

Check out the Loewe television screen. Some models have a hard drive, which makes it possible to download and record programmes, and it looks good with its striking design. You can get this to suit your home office design and have it in various screen sizes, up to 46", so you can project your videos and PowerPoint projections to the maximum effect.

 

You also need to consider the sound you want to project. Quality speakers are essential to get across what you want clients to hear. It's worth investing in the best you can afford. Poor quality sound won't do you any favours. You could look on for-sale.co.uk for options to deliver what will best suit you and your clients.

 

Your best home office

 

A home office needs to be a mix of what suits you and what you think your clients want. You need to be professional and have that melange of attractive premises and environment to encourage that buy-in to what you have to offer. Maybe show an Apple watch or an up-to-the-minute tablet or laptop, and you could be in the right place to benefit.