Thursday, June 23, 2011

Giving Your Office A Professional Appearance

If you own a small business and have an office space where clients visit on a regular basis, it is important to invest in office furnishings and decor that are professional and appealing. When a customer walks into your office, the design of the space will reflect the professionalism of your company no matter what industry you serve. Office decor allows customers to get a good first impression of how you do business. While you may understand that, the furnishings and office decor you choose could make the difference between losing and obtaining a contract, you may be on a limited budget when you first start your business. Learn how to make your office look professional on a budget to save money and secure a loyal book-of-business.

http://www.eroomservice.com/files/d_10294.jpg

The best time to choose wall coloring is when the office is clear of clutter and empty. Right when you sign your lease, you should begin pondering wall coloring that will be attractive and professional. Plain white walls lack sophistication and give your office a drab feel. One of the biggest professional transformations you can make to your office space is painting the walls an elegant and sophisticated color. Avoid bright colors and stick to more subtle browns, greens, and taupes. If you visit your local paint supplier, you may be able to find premixed paints that go with your theme at a discounted price. If you are not skilled with painting, hire professionals to get the clean lines and consistent coating you need.

http://www.coffeycleancare.com/images/clean_office2.jpg

Your computer desk and seating is key when you are going for a professional look. While there are cheap computer desks on the market today that are very affordable, you must choose a desk that has room for organizing files and folders so that the first thing you see is free space and not clutter. Wholesalers and liquidators offer quality desks and office furnishings for less. While these are not new, they are restored to look new and cost less than half of the price of new applications.

Once you have the wall coloring and furnishings in place, all you need to do is add some simple decor. Plants and wall hangings are very affordable and appealing applications that will transform your office space. Do not over decorate and keep it simple. Once you furnish and decorate your new office space, you will be proud to open your doors to new clients.

More of temporary office walls.

Thursday, June 2, 2011

How To Decorate Your Office

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/511AMBv6%2BqL._AA300_.jpg http://s1.hubimg.com/u/680252_f520.jpg

Decorating your work space or office building can pose a challenge even for a professional designer. You'll have to deal with large spaces, big empty walls, and buying decor pieces and canvas wall art. Furniture can easily fill up floor space but your walls can be more difficult to decorate.

Hanging paintings or canvas prints in small rooms is easy but decorating bigger spaces like walls in a high ceiling lobby or a long hallway can be difficult. There is a solution to decorating huge walls in an office building by hanging oversized paintings.

You can get one single piece of painting or use canvas art sets. These canvas sets compose of 2 to over 8 pieces of canvas to make a bigger artwork. It's practical in a way because it will be easier to hang sets due to smaller sizes of the canvas pieces.

Imagine the trouble of installing a wall sized painting at an office lobby. Hanging several smaller canvas pieces makes more sense since the artwork will be divided into several pieces that are smaller and lighter. These canvas art sets also come in different sizes.

There are rectangular sets that go vertically or horizontally. Some are square and others are offset. Offset canvas wall art are made of several pieces of canvas in different sizes. Making them look quite interesting and creative.

Abstract canvas in offset, oversized or in sets are very in demand for decorating offices, but you can also get other themes like a seascape or other subjects for a more casual look. A large seascape canvas would look great at a travel agency office.

Other places you can place oversized canvas art sets aside from offices are at hospitals, large restaurants, clubs and even in a residential home with a high ceiling. When buying your canvas wall art, remember that canvas sets can be hung inches apart making them wider or bigger.

Get paintings that would go with the surrounding. Abstracts would go well in a modern office, and traditional paintings for a more conventional look. Get artwork painted on gallery wrapped canvas so you can hang them as soon as you get them.

Great choice to decorate your temporary office walls.


Friday, May 20, 2011

Ideas for Room Dividers as Temporary office Walls

There are so many different ways in which one can construct room dividers. And a dividers that has been used since the beginning of time is obviously walls. This is a classic way to divide rooms, no matter that you home already has walls, and you can still install walls to divide large rooms. However, you don't have to build the wall you can now actually buy temporary office walls. These temporary walls can be set up and taken down at any time.

http://img.weburbanist.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/illuminated-room-divider.jpg http://www.instablogsimages.com/images/2006/05/26/aswoon_wave_room_divider.jpg

One can also paint the existing walls different colors, which will divide a room into various sections. You can paint one wall a certain color and the other wall a matching contrast color; this method will also set a boundary. Hanging room dividers are also functional and decorative. Create your own hanging divider by using beads and shells. You can also create a fabric divider which will separate the living space from the dining space. You can do the same to create a small office space in a corner.

You can also create fabric room dividers using a canvas frame which is made from a lightweight wood. These canvas frames are already made up and all you need do is choose a really nice fabric and then cover the frames. This is really inexpensive way to make a room divider. The canvas comes in various different shapes and sizes and is obtainable at craft shops. You can then cover a few say three canvases per hanging and join the panels vertically together with chains.

In addition you could also make fabric room dividers out of plywood. You need a quarter inch thick plywood and fabric of your choice. Cut the plywood to the desired height and the wrap and staple the fabric on the plywood. Once hang will give a slated effect.


Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Maximize Tax Benefits for Temporary Walls

Everyone has some kind of home office, if you happen to run a business from that home office, it's deductible. But... There are a few important things you need to do to make certain your deduction is provable.

  • Clear a specific room or space for your office. Give it a square footage, something you can actually determine with measurements. Take everything out of your space that is not directly related to your business. Measure your space, and if it doesn't already have four walls, set up specific perimeters with room dividers or temporary walls NYC.

  • Create a name for your business. Get a tax license, and register your business name, along with your ID. Announce your business to the local papers, send out press releases, and be identifiable as a business.

  • Purchase office equipment and furniture for your office. Keep the receipts; this equipment and furniture is deductible. (Including any room dividers or temporary walls you set up to disguise your office.) This furniture probably includes your desk, a computer desk, shelves, file cabinets, printer cabinets, storage containers, computer, adding machine, fax machine, filing supplies, etc., lamps, chairs, and a telephone with voice mail capabilities.

  • Install a separate phone line for your office. Call it a kid's line or second phone, dedicated computer or fax line, but get a separate phone line for your business. Put a professional response on your voicemail - save the "Hey Granny, I've gone fishing - leave a message at the beep." For your private line. Use your professional voice and manners on your business voice mail. Your customers will appreciate you for it.

  • Set up a schedule. Give yourself hours/work days and some time off. Plan your work around your business schedule. Even if you include some evening and weekend hours, you will benefit from scheduling some time off. If you work late in the evening, take some time off in the morning to run, laugh, get together with friends, read a book or enjoy life. It will help you focus on what you want during work hours.

  • Build a business budget and a plan for making money from your business. Without a business plan your business isn't really a business. The description that distinguishes a business from a hobby is "intent to make a profit". If you do not have a plan to earn a profit, IRS considers your business a hobby and so should you, limiting your deductions. Write a plan for making a profit for your business.

  • Develop a process of doing business that includes such simple things as returning phone calls, a newsletter, client lists, advertising, business cards, letterhead, and a marketing plan.

  • Products or services. Create or obtain products or services to sell and maintain a pricelist for your wares.
  • Home offices indicate you have a home-based business. The list above will help you prove your business is viable in case of an audit. These will also improve your ability to make a profit as a workable business.



    Sunday, May 8, 2011

    Basement Remodeling

    When sitting down to decide what to do with extra space in the basement, many options probably come to mind. However, if the house has small children, a playroom may be the ideal thing. Basements often provide blank canvasses to work with and a great playroom can be designed to work well for any needs and budget.

    Of course, one of the first things to consider is budget and space. Depending on the budget, a minimal but functional playroom can be created or if the sky is the limit with funds, the children can have a fantasy playroom. The amount of available space will come into play as well. Will the playroom take up all of the basement or just a room or section? After answering these questions, the remodeling can begin.

    https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUMpp4sMAY2LniCQRilK_9ANuvhuHYATDuU9jgvVsDD91PJ-6JiF_Pe4p9rZuHb5rq7AnusdbtchTSRtEZIproqH74ey_8BQAlToz6SfSpy8tXXjGc20UOq9p2lyP48Mc2f6CTEnO7xxc/s800/Room_Basement+Remodel_DSC_6578.jpg http://www.interiordesignpro.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/playroom-maps-300x283.jpg

    With a smaller budget, a great basement playroom can be designed, and a key thing to remember, is that the children will be happy with any space and the more organized it is and accessible toys are, the more open to play it will be. Depending on the handiness of the homeowner, walls may be created or taken down without a contractor, or else some temporary walls can be made with curtains or other dividers to create smaller spaces.

    Another great saving measure is to do it yourself painting, whether it is one color on the walls or a more creative play on color with perhaps a couple of colors, polka dots, names on the walls, even a mural or chalkboard spot. Many of the craft stores have stick on decals that can brighten the room without the commitment (or artistic talent) of paint. A bright, fun color will make a huge difference. Storage is another key component. Cube storage, open bins, or chest type boxes are great for little hands to have easy access to, and it is important to have spots for everything.

    If the budget is bigger, more customized remodeling can be done. Perhaps a new room in the basement can be built so the playroom does not take up the whole thing, or the reverse, a wall or two could be knocked down for more space. With paint, the same idea holds true, fun colors will make the area playful, perhaps a mural with the child's name in it. Built in cabinetry and or desk stations are a great organizational idea. Make sure these are low enough for young children to reach, but also big enough to grow with the children. Cork board walls or chalk board are great to display and create artwork.

    For any budget, having kid friendly furniture is necessary. Bean bag chairs for gaming, reading, or small tables for tea parties and puzzle building will work great. With a well thought out basement remodeling, a new playroom can provide children with a space of their own for years to come.

    Friday, May 6, 2011

    Room Remodel

    http://www.rcgarchitecture.com/graphics/rcga_m9.jpg http://www.kickrs.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Office-meeting-room-furniture-1-510x350.jpg

    Do you need more living space but simply do not have the funds to add a new room or two? Perhaps you have a baby on the way or you need a home office. Or maybe two kids sharing a room need their own space. The answer may literally be right under your nose!

    There are numerous ways that you may be able to inexpensively create additional living areas from unused spaces.

    1. Attic remodel - do you have an unfinished attic that could be turned into a bedroom or home office? You may need to strengthen the floor and improve lighting and ventilation.

    2. Basement remodel - what are you doing with your basement? Again, lighting and ventilation will need to be planned, but your walls and floor are already there.

    3. Closet - do you have a spare closet or one you could clean out? Convert this into a home office perhaps, or if large enough, a nursery.

    4. Garage remodel - the structure is already in place, it may just need cleaning out. If you have a large garage, you could possibly partition it enabling you to store garden implements or even a car, as well as have your games room or home office.

    5. Divide a room - If you have a large room that you do not use entirely, why not put up temporary walls/ temporary office walls or room dividers. These are perfect for renters too, because they can be removed when you leave. Temporary walls come with doors so you can easily move around.