Remodeling for Small Business Owners

As a small business owner, you may feel that the upkeep of your home feels pretty similar to the upkeep of your business. Whether it be increasing functionality or the aesthetic quality of your space, remodeling measures are usually a good investment to make. Both home and business improvements require taking remodeling in little steps, as you can’t really halt your occupation of either. However, there are many unique considerations that should be made when remodeling a business. Some of you may run your businesses from your actual home, but that’s all the more reason to keep these thoughts in mind:
Increasing Functionality of Your Business
The factors that affect productivity or the quality of your work should always be considered a top priority when dealing with your work space. Luckily, you can take little steps to boost your efficiency rather than knocking down entire walls. Start by replacing all your light bulbs, and adding a few fixtures where more light is needed; a dark work environment can be taxing on your eyes. If the weather is also affecting productivity, consider getting a furnace or air conditioning repair depending on the season you’re currently in.

Make sure the break room is up to par as far as utilities go; the refrigerator should be in good order, and storage space is a must for employee satisfaction (they like sofas, too). If you are in need of desk chair replacements, do those as soon as you can as they can pose a safety hazard if in bad shape. Make sure desks are top quality and large enough to promote organization and a comfortable work flow. Listen to your employees and find out what they need to feel more efficient. Simple renovations can go a long way in improving your work environment.
Improving Aesthetic Quality of Your Business
As far as appearance, you probably take as much pride in your business as you do your home. But the influence of a business (such as a retail store) on others is much different from what your home might impress on them. You are selling your image as much as your product, and an ill-kept environment will bear sickly profits.

Start by looking at your ceiling. Repair any tiles that are stained or broken. If your ceiling is a dark color, paint it with a lighter shade. It will make your customers feel more relaxed and less trapped if they feel they have an open space above them while in your business. Take a good look at any shelving you have to display your product.

You may want to change the look or quality of the fixtures to match your store’s style. Wire shelving are a good option because they feel so open and modern, but it all revolves around matching the theme of your business. Most important, do whatever steps you’re prepared to take to make the front of your store or entryway the best it can be. This is the first impression customers will receive when they walk in your door, and therefore you should channel as much of your energy as you can into the remodel of this area.

Business from Home?
If you run your business out of your own home, you’re faced with a different set of remodeling challenges. Increasing your functionality is most important, but you often don’t have much space to work with. You also don’t want to give up the “homey” aesthetic quality that your living space should have. You might want to consider taking steps towards moving to a proper location; with commercial real estate loan rates today, it’s a more viable option than it was at the beginning of the recession. But if this is not in the cards for you for a while, just make your priority of remodels favor improving your efficiency and work quality to give you a leg up in the business world.

Michael David is a freelance journalist and blogger living in New York City. Michael loves writing about DIY projects, home improvement, and garden-related topics.

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