When you're running a business from home, you need an office where you can work comfortably and productively but also meet with clients when necessary. Decorating your home office is a chance to convey a professional image to your clients. Even if you limit your contact with clients to virtual meetings, the right home office décor will make a great impression on your valuable customers. Certain home office features will further ensure that your guests feel comfortable visiting your home in the wake of the pandemic.

Here are some home office design tips from The Elegant Office to help you design a safe and welcoming environment for your clients!

Legal Considerations

Before welcoming clients to your home, ensure that your business — and your personal assets — are safe from liability in the unfortunate event that a client has an accident on your property. You may be personally liable if something happens to a client at your home. Incorporating your business as a limited liability company (LLC) is a great way to protect yourself! If you don't want to hire a lawyer, use an online formation service to file your formation paperwork and get the process underway. Just remember to review your state-specific LLC laws before moving forward.

Establish a Safe Path to Your Office

Creating a client-friendly home office starts outside. First, make sure your clients have a safe place to park their cars within a close distance to your home. Create a straightforward path from this parking space and be sure to prune back shrubs and remove tripping and slipping hazards from the path. If stairs are involved, ensure they feature proper railings and non-slip surfacing. Ideally, your home office would have a separate entrance so that clients don't have to walk through your home to get to you. This will also make clients feel more comfortable visiting during COVID-19.

Create a Comfortable Meeting Area

There are many different ways to organize your office furniture for in-person client meetings. For example, you could position your desk so that it faces the open room and place a couple of comfortable chairs in front where clients can sit. This setup works great for serious business transactions but may feel too formal in other situations. Use your best judgment! If you'd prefer to meet face-to-face without a desk between you and your clients, set up a separate seating area just for client meetings. Whatever layout you choose, be sure to maintain a six-foot distance between everyone to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission.

Choose Appropriate Décor

Whether you opt for in-person or virtual meetings, the décor you choose for your desk and surrounding office will convey a message to your clients. Make sure it's the right message! Computerworld recommends an uncomplicated background for Zoom calls. You don't want your décor to distract your clients from the meeting, or worse, cause offense. Choose simple, elegant desk accessories that reflect the professional side of your personality. For example, a leather desk set, desk pad, and pen stand will offer a sense of luxury to any desk setup. Less is more here. Avoid cluttering your desk and office walls with artwork, trinkets, and photos. Keep it minimal and professional!

The key to running a client-friendly home business is separating your business and personal life as much as possible. Try to make your home office feel like a professional workspace. Keep it clean and organized, leave household clutter at the door, and incorporate professional decorative accents to show your clients that you mean business!

Are you looking for office and desk accessories? For stylish and professional décor, check out the selection of high-quality office products on The Elegant Office shop.