THE INTERACTIVE BLOG

Desk? Check. Computer? Check. Yourself? Check. If you have all these three things, you have the barest-bone home office ever. As an entrepreneur, you’re going to be spending a lot of time in your home office making things happen and growing your business. Because of this, you need to make sure you really have everything you’ll need, beyond the basics. Here are seven must-haves for every entrepreneur’s home office.

Whiteboard
If you have the wall space, hang up a large, dry erase whiteboard. This will be so helpful to you in more ways than one. It’s an excellent tool for visualizing your ideas and tasks. You can map things out, use it as a reminder system, or any other creative use you can possibly think of. Buy dry erase markers in multiple colors to help you organize your notes or drawings.

Family Photos
Don’t forget to personalize your office with a few good family photos or pictures of your kids. Hang them near your computer or put them in some decorative frames. No matter how you display them, they’ll serve as a constant reminder why you’re working so hard.

Potted Plant
No matter what it is, bring in some kind of plant life to your office. You can have a tiny bamboo shoot on your desk, or a large flowering bush in the corner. Keeping a potted plant will help bring some life into your office – literally. Not only will a large plant help improve the air quality of your room, it will be a nice, vivacious addition to your décor.

Window
Like the potted plant and family photos, a window in your office offers some important benefits. It will help bring natural light into your office, making it easier to work and reducing your need to rely on harsh artificial lighting. It will remind you about the world outside your office, and you can even use it to let in the refreshing flow of outside air. Pick a room that has a window to be your home office.

All-in-One Printer
When you’re running a business, you’re going to have to frequently make copies, print things, or scan something to your computer. If you have an all-in-one printer, there will be no need for you to have a large, industrial copier, and you don’t have to run to Staples every other day

Filing Cabinet
Good organization is absolutely essential for all entrepreneurs. It may not be enough to rely on a stack of papers, folders, and overflowing inboxes and outboxes. Purchase a good-sized, sturdy filing cabinet that will help you maintain order in your office and keep important files and backup papers in line and close at hand.

Comfortable Chair
You’re going to be doing a lot of time sitting, so you should definitely invest in a comfortable desk chair. This is not a place to skimp on, because a chair with proper support will keep you from developing back problems and other pain and health issues associated with sitting at a desk for long periods of time.

Stella Brown focuses on functionality and comfort in her home office. As a professional freelance writer and consultant, she saves time editing with help from the web's best grammar checker. New writing ideas come from her involvement in business networks.

Hosting a housewarming party is one of the most enjoyable things about moving into a new rental home. Whatever type of party you’re looking to hold, you may start to wonder if your rental apartment is big enough, or suitable enough to be the host. While holding an event inside a smaller space poses some challenges, it’s certainly not impossible. So long as you’re willing to do some careful consideration and planning, you’re likely to create an excellent environment where your friends and family can thoroughly enjoy their time.

Eliminate Mess and Clutter

The first thing that you want to ensure before hosting a party in a small space is that there will be surfaces to put things down on, and space to move. If you’ve got a tendency to be a bit on the messy side, you may need to dedicate more time and energy to cleaning and organizing your space. Depending on how many guests you’re expecting, there may be people in every room in your house. Hosting a party is a fabulous opportunity for you to get rid of unwanted items and put away things that don’t need to be shown.

Seating is Key

Comfort is key to a great get-together, and it’s your job as the host to provide adequate seating for all involved. From folding chairs to new age pillows and cushions, the choice is all yours. Offer your guests places throughout the house where they can sit and enjoy themselves.

Your Food and Drink Plan

One of the most important aspects to a great party is the food and refreshments that are offered. You may want to host a potluck style dinner where everyone brings a dish, or you might just offer appetizers to your guests throughout the night. No matter your choice on the food, take the time to set up a central food and drink station where people can serve themselves, and find all the accoutrement that comes with eating; napkins, cutlery, condiments and others. Keep your food station away from any area that might be high traffic, like the door or the lineup for the bathroom.

Party Proof Your Home

Your own items and artifacts are important, and they need to be protected. If you have an expensive collection of Faberge eggs, you may want to place them away from where the party people will be mingling. Mistakes can be made and accidents can happen, so protect your prized posessions from theft or damage by removing them from common areas. Always make sure that you have adequate renter’s insurance coverage for prized items, which will eliminate some of the worry from your life. This type of policy will also financially protect you if one of your guests gets hurt.

Allison writes with RentersInsurance.com, where you can find more information about picking up the perfect policy.