You don’t need a lot of space to start a home-based business. Some of the most successful businesses have started in living rooms, but when your business begins to boom, you may find yourself in need of a dedicated workspace or home office. That may mean finding a new home or finding room in your current one, but these tips can help you make the best decision.Research Home Prices Before You Buy a New Home.If you’re looking around your current digs and wondering where you will fit your new workspace, you may need to upgrade your home. Research local home prices, to get a feel for whether this will be a feasible move for your small business, and your budget. In the Dallas area, you may be surprised at what current homes are selling for — the average home sells for approximately $72,000 — and you may even be able to score a home below the actual listing price. If you want to buy a new home now, to get access to extra space and extra storage, you should also use online tools to determine how much you can afford to spend on a new home. Many of these online calculators also provide links to mortgage lenders so that you can find the best interest rate on your new home purchase for your home-based business.Get Recommendations Before You Hire Contractors After reviewing your space and budget, it may make more sense to build a new workspace in your current home. For simple home office spaces, you may be able to get by with some DIY handiwork but more complex projects may require the help of licensed contractors. For example, converting a garage into a workable home office space or studio can involve hanging sheetrock, installing electrical wiring, and other similar tasks that are best left up to experienced professionals. You may also need to secure permits before you turn your garage into a workspace, and contractors will be able to work through this process with less hassle. To find reliable contractors in your area, start by asking friends and neighbors for recommendations, but know that online home improvement sites also offer valuable resources and connections.Plan Out Your Workspace Before You Begin Your Project,Whether you buy a new home or add onto your existing home, creating a functional workspace can require some careful planning. You need a space that will be free from distractions and you also need to make sure that the design of that space ensures maximum productivity. Including windows can improve your productivity by increasing your exposure to natural light but you should also consider adding alternate lighting sources to your workspace. In addition to sufficient lighting and minimal distractions, it can also be helpful to add a few stress-relieving touches to your new home office. For example, you could include low-maintenance plants or even an essential oil diffuser — you can find diffusers at retailers like Walmart for around $10 and up — to make it easier to work through those insanely busy days.Consider Alternative Workspaces Before You Make a Decision