January 03, 2017
Six tips for creating the ideal freelance workspace
One of the biggest perks that comes from freelancing is the ability to work whenever, wherever and even however.
There are two types of freelancers; those who work primarily from home and those who work and rent a co-working office space.
As a freelancer, wherever you decide to work there are some basic factors to consider to ensure you work productively, efficiently and, most importantly, successfully. In this blog, we’ll list the top six tips that will help you create the ideal workspace.
1. Accessibility
You’ll find that nowadays a 9-5 working day is a rarity. And this has come as a result of there being an increase in the likes of flexible working, working from home and freelancers. If you are confined to working in a traditional office environment, there may be limitations on the hours you work due to the building having to close. As a freelancer, you have the freedom to work as you wish. If for example you’re engrossed in a big project and need to work into the night, when freelancing you need to make sure where you’re working has 24-hour access.
2. Comfort
Having the option to work from home means you have the luxury of the comfort of your own, private space. And it’s not just the transition from working in an uncomfortable office chair for eight hours a day to something more ergonomically comfortable, but when working from home you have control over other simple amenities, such as lighting and temperature. We’ve all encountered an office experience where that one colleague is too cold to work with a window open during the summer and the rest of the team are subject to work in uncomfortable and unbearable heat.
Comfort is necessary in order to remain motivated. If you know you have to endure yet another day in a hot office in an uncomfortable chair it’s hard to muster the positive concentration needed to work effectively.
3. Organisation
Another key thing to consider in a freelance space is organisation. Whether you’ve hired a space or work from home, it’s of paramount importance that everything you need is either filed or stored away suitably. The last thing you want to be doing is wasting valuable time searching for February 2014’s report, for example, a pen or even some paper to write on when you could be working.
4. Your own space
A problem of working in a busy office is the amount of distraction that surrounds you. Phones ringing, conversations between colleagues and general noise can be highly distracting. This can cause a problem if you spend a lot of time on the phone to clients.
It’s also advantageous to have your own space if you need privacy to make confidential phone calls for example. Therefore, an ideal freelance space will be private and your own.
5. Having what you need where you need it
If working from home or in a co-working space, you need to make sure you have all the facilities you need to help your day run smoothly. If you use a scanner regularly or need to do a lot of printing – make sure that you either have the necessary equipment or are in close distance to somewhere that does. If you do work from home and fancy a change of scenery and would prefer to work in a local coffee shop for example this is easily done. All you need is your laptop, an internet connection and you’re good to go! Check out our blog about how the traditional workspace has evolved to find out why.
6. And finally, cost!
An advantage of freelance work is that you don’t necessarily have to pay extortionate overheads. Freelance workers need a workspace that they can afford to pay for while still making money. If you’re wanting to do freelance work for minimum cost, then of course the best option is to work from home.
But for those who don’t want to work from home or lounge about in trendy coffee shops all day, there are a number of co-working options and spaces available. Take a look at our blog about co-working spaces, including the advantages, to find out more.
And you?
If you’re considering freelance work or currently practice freelance work, we’d love to hear your thoughts. Are there any other necessary factors to consider when creating a freelance space? Get in touch by leaving a comment below or check out our Facebook and Twitter pages.