Most start-up entrepreneurs decide to run their business from home. It carries many benefits including work-life balance, a chance to set your own schedule and significantly reduced overhead costs.

However, with the division between home and work blurred, effort must be put into creating boundaries to get the balance right. Here are some tips to make working from home work for you.

Design your space. Dedicating one room to your home office is ideal but not always possible. If its not, carve out some space for your office or workstation. Reorganize a room to include an office section. Use a self-contained unit that can be closed at the end of the day. Hide your office behind a screen or divider, or convert a closet.

Decorate your workspace. Its important to be inspired in your surroundings. When decorating, think about your companys brand and design your space accordingly. You will be spending a lot of time in your home office, so make it physically comfortable. Buy a good chair and pay attention to other ergonomic issues.

Make work time productive. Working from home takes many of the time management techniques that are used in any office. Planning, scheduling, and forecasting all help you get your work done on time. However, simply because you are at home, others may think you are available anytime. Let everyone know your business hours to discourage unexpected visitors and to establish some parameters with your family.

Get out of the house. Some people really miss the social aspect of their old job and the office chit-chat. Schedule frequent breaks from your home office and try to connect with other home-based business owners. Get out for daily coffee with another entrepreneur, join a fitness club, or just take a short walk. Youll love your home office even more when you return.