Hi Bouncing... Here are a few random thoughts from someone who has worked in "Office Environments" and had my own home business for 15 years now. You've mentioned some of the types of items you'll need to save. Think them all through and create a list of categories. Then think of where you would be most apt to look for a document. Truly the art of a good file system is what works for YOU. Would you be most likely to look for billing with the contract for that customer? In a separate binder filed by month? Set up your accounting files separately so that tax time or pulling out a paid bill is fast and easy. I find it easiest to file paid bills by expense type (all phone bills together, all computer maintenance bills grouped, etc). A good guideline for categories is simply the expense line items shown on schedule C (I think!) of a tax return. Create a very basic index of how/where things are filed. If your DH wants to find the invoice issued to the Smiths, where should he look? Set up your files in a manner that allows you to easily box them up at the end of the year and start fresh. If you have to sort through folders when it's time to archive, chances are it won't get done. Make your archiving process as simple as possible. Know that you will have to spend time on "company administration". You've just become the office manager, bookkeeper and head of computer and systems maintenance. Allow time in your day for billing, filing and maintenance. Finally, I know you weren't asking on advice for *where* to put your office...but I'm going to throw some out there anyway ;-) Please reconsider setting up your office in your MBR. IMHO to work at home successfully you have to be able to focus on business - and you have to be able to shut that off from time to time as well. It can be hard to separate home life vs business life if the business is a few feet from your bed. Find a little corner of your home for your office. Truly, office furniture doesn't have to be really nice...just really fuctional. Determine what you'll need for file space and worktop space then determine your furniture needs from there. I've read your profile here and maybe you could even incorporate an ebaying station within your home office area. Best of luck for a very successful business for you!

hosenemesis, Yes, I think the alcove is where previous renters have placed a table and chairs. If my son moved the fridge there, I am thinking there would still be room for a table to the side of the fridge. (Fridge is small, and I didn't mention that for some reason the original owner built in a partial bulkhead there(about the width of a fridge), so very low, no room for a 'normal height' fridge. Present one is 60" high, that's all that would fit in there-wall is open to under stairs area in basement, so actually could be changed/raised. But don't think it is worth the effort/expense.)So, probably should have mentioned that previously, duh! ie, if there was a chair there, you would have to stoop under ceiling to get out. No, I wouldn't move a table to the end under the window. Was thinking of extending counter around. That would interfere with opening cupboard doors. Thought it would be ideal place then for Microwave, toaster oven, various appliances that daughter/potential renters would use in lieu of actual stove/oven! (though there is a full-sized oven/stove there). So, question to those of you who can visualize better than me. If, he went with wrapping the counter around under the window, what would you do with uppers between the two windows? (Maybe eliminate those altogether?) As you can see, ceilings are low in the apartment, bulkhead across where stove is. Another bulkhead is even lower in alcove just about the size of a small fridge...Other window is just to the right of the fridge. (this pic was taken as they were gutting kitchen)

Bench or trunk will wind up being a place where clothes are thrown as well (if that's how you roll, that is). Since the space is deep (28") a bookcase might seem a bit odd. I'd consider an armoire, which would put any clothing tossed at it easily behind doors. But you might also make it simply a spot for some dramatic decorating "prop", depending on what the style of your room is. I'm thinking something like a beautiful screen, a dressmakers' form, a very large plant, a large urn filled with willow branches or the like. What's your style? Contemporary? Traditional? Romantic?

Paint fireplace white or the same color as the walls, remove bookcase that is on the right side of the fireplace. Get a corner TV console for the left side of the fireplace....maybe tv will partially cover the window, but that is okay. Get some pretty artwork for over the fireplace and take the colors from that for pillows for your couch and a rug if you want. An ottoman or upholstered bench in front of your couch to be used for extra seating when you have company.......should be on rollers, easy to maneuver. Where the shelf unit is now, get a tall green plant..nothing else. If room, I think your chair and a small table will be good by the stairs. At the bottom of the stairs you could put a decorative shelf or console with drawers under the window...facing up the stairs. with a small viney plant on it. Oh, yes, I would pull your couch back as far as you can...without interfering with the door. To bad the door does not open the other way. Have fun rearranging. I do approve of your curtains...white sheers but they should be twice as full as they are now and the door curtain should match.