Many freelancers have the opportunity to work from home, which can be an exciting change of pace from the standard 9 to 5 office life. We know the desire to work from your sofa in your dressing gown can be strong, but it can pay dividends to dedicate some space in your home exclusively to work. That way you won’t have to associate your personal space with work matters.
We’ve compiled some top tips for creating a comfortable but practical space for productivity that will make your freelance career a success.
Think about: what work you’ll be doing
If you’re a freelance designer or engineer, it’s likely that the kind of work you’ll be doing in your home office will be dramatically different from that of a freelance writer or IT technician. Every office will vary so make sure you allow yourself adequate space to do what you need to without taking over the entirety of your home. You don’t need lots of space; you just need to be smart with it.
Think about: your light source
Natural light is the perfect way to brighten up your new work space and is the polar opposite from the strip lights and dusty corners of a typical office. If you have large windows in your home then creating your working space there provides the perfect space to make the most of the health benefits of natural light, but also to provide a constant source of inspiration!
Don’t forget to invest in a good quality desk lamp for the winter months, though. Bad lighting can lead to headaches and eye strain.
Think about: your equipment
Do you require a desktop or a laptop? Do you need a separate phone line? Maybe even an illuminated drawing board? These are things that you have to consider when setting out on your own, as all equipment must suit your business needs and have to be invested in by you. And while we’re at it, don’t forget about investing in an ergonomically sound office chair.
While it may be tempting to grab that spare dining table chair for the sake of ease, your back will not thank you for it after a week.
Think about: making it your own
While your home office is located in your own home, it still needs to be a distinct space away from where you relax, eat and socialise outside of working hours. However, personal touches will make your office space a tranquil and enjoyable space in which you can do some of your best work.
Don’t be afraid to include pictures of loved ones, inspiring scenes and some desk plants to keep things looking fresh and inviting.
You home office, when planned right, should provide you with the perfect balance of inspiration and positivity that inspires productivity and gives you a connection to the work you love doing.
Do you have a home office? What changes have you made to your living space to ensure you can work more effectively? Tell us in the comments below.
Wednesday 19th November is the sixth annual National Freelancers Day; a day designed to put freelancing at the forefront of the political agenda and to discuss how the power of independent professionals can be unlocked to help drive the UK’s economy.
To celebrate a day in spotlight Kingsbridge are running a special competition on Twitter to show some love to freelancers across the UK.
Entering is easy. All you have to do is Tweet us directly at @KingsbridgeProf and finish this sentence, “I love freelancing because?” using the hashtag #NFD2014.
From the best answers we’ll pick five runners up, who’ll each win £20 in Amazon vouchers, and the winner will be the proud recipient of a brand new iPad mini 2.
Winners will be announced on Twitter on Friday 21st November. So get thinking, get creative and send us your best efforts to be in with a chance of winning!
