Freelancing from your own home has numerous benefits. No boss, flexible work hours and being really close to the bed, to mention a few. But while it may seem like a dream, the real challenge lies in striking the right balance between a casual and a practical workplace.
Remember, you will have to take care of your office by yourself. Otherwise, you will be working in a cluttered environment. That is why it is important to have a set of rules, both for you and for your family. Keeping your surroundings both comfortable and practical is crucial to your success as a freelancer. Here’s our take on how to adapt your room into a perfect home office.
Separate Profesional From Personal Life
The trick here is to maximize the pros of working from home while minimizing the cons. Being able to shut the outside world out is imperative, because otherwise your productivity, as well as your time, will suffer. Trust me, you do not want family members passing next to you, asking questions while you are in the middle of something important. This is why you should pick a room where you know that the traffic will be the lowest possible. By doing this, you will not only ensure that you are focused while working, but you will also keep your living space work-free.
Choose the Perfect Desk
What freelancers usually do is they try and recreate the corporate environment in their home. While it may work for some, I have found it that such environment is exactly the reason why I chose to freelance. I do not want the cold, stripped-down feeling I have had in an actual office. That is why you should avoid getting a default desk and grab one you will feel really comfortable working at. Consider getting a large desk, as it will give you a feeling of control while you are working.
Declutter
Sometimes it can be hard to keep things where they are supposed to be, especially if you are used to working in a creative mess. But clutter can easily pile up and create a chaotic environment, one which will definitely decrease your productivity and ability to concentrate. Designate a place for the important things you need on your desk and put the rest into filing cabinets. You can label your drawers if you are having troubles remembering where you put something like I often do.
Lighting
You will probably want a room with as much natural daylight as possible since it will directly increase your performance unless you are working after-hours. However, consider sun rays when positioning your desk, as you do not want the reflections. Find an optimal location for your desk, so that it is close to a window but there is no glare. Whether you are working by day or night, you will need a quality task light for when it gets really dark. Trust me, you will be working when it gets dark one way or the other, so just get an alternate source of light so you don’t fall asleep or become drowsy while working at your desk.
Appliances and Accessories
Accessories are a standard thing in a corporate office, so people often just take them for granted and do not even consider getting them for their home. Still, they can make your life easier, and so can some of the small appliances. If you are dealing with a lot of documents, sticker markers will help you organize them and save you a lot of time. Having a mini stove in your room to make coffee or tea is also great. No need to buy a new one either, just get your old one out of the cellar and repair it in the Total Appliance Repair Centre. You can also consider having a desk cup holder for your mug and save some space on your desk.
Add Greenery
Having plants in your office is a great way to create a healthier and a more productive environment. They will not only add life to your office but also clean the air while at it and the best thing is that they are low maintenance. Put them in a place where you will be able to see them from your chair and you will have a better view than staring at a wall. If you are working at night, just put them next to an open window because plants absorb oxygen at night instead of releasing it.
Customization
Customize your home office the way you see fit. Anything that makes you feel comfortable should be an option, whether it is a hi-fi system or a black cat. You will be spending quite a lot of time in it and the more enjoyable your office is to you, the more productive you will be. If you are short on money, you can start customizing your room today and do the whole renovation over a period of time. It does not have to be perfect from the start, plus you will have more time to figure out what you really want and need.