Do you have piles of paperwork littering every surface in your home office? A filing system is necessary to keep all that paper in order. What filing system you decide to buy or setup will depend on your budget and your space.
A proper filing cabinet is an excellent way to keep records because you can file your paperwork in a way that is easy to access. All you need to do is drop the sheet of paper into the correct folder. Always set aside 15 minutes of your day to file paperwork correctly. If you cannot have a filing cabinet, then the next best thing is to have cardboard folders or even plastic or cardboard boxes -- with lids if possible -- on shelves. You can still use an alphabetical filing system by sticking labels on the edges of your shelves, or on the sides of the boxes. If you store your folders in a drawer, write the file name on the bottom of the folder so that you can see it when you open the drawer. You can purchase cardboard folders in packs of ten. You can also use large manila envelopes to file your paperwork. With many home businesses it is necessary to meet with clients sometimes. You simply cannot expect clients or prospects to feel comfortable in your lounge room, surrounded by toys and kids. Even if you don't have children, you need a space for your clients that suits them. You'll be able to have a visible sign directing your clients to the correct place. Your waiting room -- if you need one -- can be your front porch or even the foyer of the home.
You should design your meeting area with comfort in mind. Whether you have a sofa and easy chairs or whether you have a table and straight-backed chairs may depend on your space and your business. Try using straight-backed chairs. You may need a table to demonstrate something on. Make sure your client space is appropriate for the kind of business you have. If you need to simply talk to clients, then a sofa or easy chairs may be the best option. Two easy chairs are better than one sofa, unless you are likely to interview two people at once. You may need a small coffee table to provide tea or coffee options, but be sure this does not intrude on your available space.