Personalize your living space to meet your professional needs.

{Sponsored by Beazer Homes, written by Erika Hollinshead Ward}

Did you know that your bonus room could really live up to its name? Traditionally we define bonus as an amount of money added to wages on a seasonal basis, especially as a reward for good performance. With this definition in mind, a bonus room sounds like an in home profit center, doesn’t it?

For the purpose of this post, I’ll refine the bonus room as a room where additional wealth is generated and I challenge you, if only for a moment, to think about it in this way too. If you have, or been thinking about, a home-based business then perhaps the bonus room is the perfect place for you to start building your empire. Each year I make New Year’s resolutions for my home office space and the goal is always the same: maintain a work environment that fosters productivity, profitability, and creativity.

According to a recent Forbes Magazine statistic, there are 28 million small businesses in the United States. Of those 28 million small businesses, 52% of them are home-based businesses. Smart homebuilders, like Beazer Homes, cater to this trend by offering Choice Plans. They believe your home should match the way you live and give you the freedom to choose how your want to live in it at no additional charge.

Interested in utilizing your space to start a home-based business? Want to turn your daydream into your day job? Here are a few businesses you can start from your bonus room:

1. Photographer’s Studio

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Having a designated space allows you to house all of your equipment, backdrops, and props all in one place. You can also practice controlling the light in your space to get the best results from each photography session.

2. Sewing Room / Workroom

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Got sewing skills? Set up a workroom where you can offer your alteration services, fabricate custom clothing, or create gorgeous custom drapery and window treatments.

3. Dance Studio

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Add a wall of mirrors and you have an instant dance studio. If you teach ballet, it’s easy to also add a barre for an even more professional look.

4. Piano/Music Room

All you need is a keyboard and musically talent to teach aspiring musicians how to play the piano. With the additional space of a bonus room, you can have more that one student join the same session.

5. Yoga Studio

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Create an om experience with a clutter free room, a relaxing paint color, mood lighting, and aromatherapy. Think of your favorite yoga studio and incorporate more blissful elements into your own space.

6. Massage Therapy Room

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Create the same environment as the yoga studio and add a massage table. Be sure your bonus room has a door to keep your sessions private.

7. Home Gym

I personally know several fitness trainers who have gyms in their own homes. A home gym is often times less intimating to clients that a larger gym. There’s no need to expensive equipment. A set of free weights, resistance bands, a bench, and a great coach (you) is often times all your clients need to see results!

8. Design Studio

Are you a web designer, decorator, architect, or graphic designer? Surely you would benefit from a having a room to inspire you and fuel your creativity. Consider adding shelving to your space plan for necessary samples and supplies. It’s worth the upgrade!

9. In-Home Daycare / Babysitting Services

Working parents will always have a need for childcare. Why not use your bonus space as a safe haven for nurturing little ones and cultivating young minds?

10. Tutoring / Study Hall

Are you especially talented in a specific academic area? Retired teacher? Use your smarts to tutor budding scholars or adults who have returned to school in latter years. A quiet place, table, chairs, and a whiteboard can be just the thing you need to give your clients a focused environment primed for one-one learning.

Having a home based business does come with a few risks, so consider carrying business insurance in case something happens to a client while in your home. Also keep in mind that each state has governing agencies that regulate certain home-based businesses. Get in contact with the necessary authorities prior to starting your business to insure that you are always in compliance with your state’s policies and procedures.

Ready to finally “make room” for your home-based business? Visit www.beazerhomes.com/choice-plans for information on personalizing your living spaces to meet your personal and business needs.