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Being a freelancer is something of a foreign lifestyle choice to those that have grown accustomed to and are quite fond of typical employment. The random spots of high and low-income, no interaction with coworkers, responsibility solely resting on that one person’s shoulders, but there is one that probably baffles most of all — working from one’s own home!
Of course not ALL freelancers work from home, many have their own offices somewhere in close proximity to a coffee shop or cafe. However it is safe to say that a large number do indeed work out of their home, and that baffles those not living the freelancer lifestyle. There is one assumption that does make sense though, and is a good question. How professional can the experience of meeting clients at your office actually be?
Well after reading this article, you’ll have the knowledge to present a home office to clients that will more than appease them. In addition, make you more giddy than a school girl with a crush.
The real difficulty in getting a home office just right starts with picking the right room to set up in. At the end of the day this is still your home, and not an office space, so having your work everywhere is not acceptable. Here are some tips to help achieve this balance:
Where your desk is placed is very important. The wrong position can cause a lot of annoyances that could have otherwise been avoided with a different position. A good example would be placing your desk right behind a window. This placement will give your computer a glare on it at all times, and not to mention have the sun beaming right in the face of every client you meet. This is not a good way to make a good impression. Here are tips on choosing the best location:
*Image Credit: massdistraction
This is a chair that I’m going to be sitting in for most of the day, a good portion of the year. These facts about the office chair automatically give off the assumption that it is best to get the chair that is found to be the most comfortable and suiting of one’s own personal style. This couldn’t be farther from the truth.
Honestly, a chair is just a chair here. All the extra thoughts and feelings that first pop in anyone’s head should be thrown out the window because they do nothing more than create a distraction. Think about it, if your office chair is really comfortable, what is going to put a halt at taking a snooze break in the middle of working on something? How about if it is so unique that you have to spend more than half a second figuring out how to sit down in it? Seconds add up over time!
The only qualities that matter most are reliability and durability. Here are a few tips on finding that office chair you NEED.
Spending enough time in the corporate world will make it easy for anyone to become accustomed to walking at least a few yards to reach the printer, get new paper for said printer, grabbing something out the refrigerator, or other walking tasks office life entails. Like it or not, it gets into your head and becomes what you are used to. Considering that, how would things be for someone finally being able to set things up the way they need? Let’s just say, the best ideas might not be implemented.
Freedom is a wonderful thing, which is why you’re freelancing in the first place, but it can’t be abused. Here are some tips for setting up the layout of your office:
Being in a home office, working for yourself, makes every document that you receive via paper or email three times as important. So while those who work in a corporate office have multiple people with the same documents, and being on file somewhere, the self-employed only have themselves to turn to when something goes missing.
This is why being properly organized is a critical necessity for anyone looking to be successful at being their own boss. Here are a few tips at keeping everything neat and tidy:
Any successful advice from your home office you’d like to share? Let us know in the comments!
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Jamal is a young freelance web designer, web developer, writer, and blogger based in Atlanta, Ga. His work can be found at his online identity Five Alarm Interactive(FAI). He is a college student and philosophical poet by day, and passionate professional by night. You can keep up with him on Twitter @5alarmint.
Wednesday, April 25th, 2012 14:47
There’s a lot of great information for building an office that works. Important BUT I must also add that a home office would not be the proper environment for a client you have not met before or is new. That office is going to be personal at home and potential clients might perceive that to be too intimate. Meeting at the nearby coffeeshop first would just be good secure business and the personal home office reserved for clients well established and well known to you.
Thursday, April 26th, 2012 04:41
I agree. Home offices are only perfect for people who work through the internet 100% of the time, like I do. And coffee shops are a perfect meeting place, they’re relaxing enough and inviting!
Monday, April 23rd, 2012 20:13
A home office gives you the opportunity to think outside the box in setting up your work space. So why limit yourself to just a chair at your desk? Research has shown that sitting all day is quite detrimental to your overall health, even if you regularly workout. So why not have a treadmill instead of a chair and move all day? It’s a trend that’s gaining momentum.
I switched from an Aeron chair to a treadmill a year ago and the nagging hip pain I was experiencing disappeared entirely. It’s best to have a treadmill that will go as slow as 0.5 mph, it helps you focus on your work rather than your walking as you acclimate to moving while you work. It will take a little while to get used to this setup, and you should increase your time on the treadmill over a couple week period as your feet need to acclimate, too. You can vary your speed through the day to keep things interesting—sometimes I find that the slower speed slows my mind.
There are a lot of article you can find on creating a desk setup for a treadmill. Geek Desk is the best value I’ve found so far. I bought the frame-only version so I could make a customized desktop. I did a lot of research using http://officewalkers.ning.com/forum before I bought my treadmill and desk.
Wednesday, April 18th, 2012 07:51
Jamal, nice article and i need a help – can you suggest me ” how to keep the Dual monitor setup. i have two 23″ hd monitors and i dont know how to place it straight or one straight to me and other in the side-view.
you understand what i mean
Thursday, April 26th, 2012 14:29
Well, this depends on your desk really. I have my dual monitors set like one straight in front of me and another to my set to my right at an angle. From my experiences, its always been good to have at least one screen facing directly in front of you and another at the angle you find most comfortable looking to. Mine just so happens to be my right.
Tuesday, April 17th, 2012 11:51
I love this blog and have been reading it for some time. I finally read something I disagree with:
“Honestly, a chair is just a chair here.”
You could not be more wrong. Sitting for long periods of time on a piece of crap chair is effortless in your twenties but not so great if you’re in your thirties and, for a lot of people (like me), absolute Hell if you’re older than that. A chair is not just a chair. It should offer proper lumbar support, it should move when you move, it should be highly adjustable and should fit your body.
I picked up a swing seat (swingseat.com) at Macworld five years ago and it changed my life. I don’t live with constant back pain anymore. I bought one for my mother as well. Swingseats are not cheap – I bought floor models that were half off. Even so, you’re spending a lot more time in your chair than you are in your car (and the most important time of the day, too) so don’t be afraid to invest in a chair that fits your body well and moves when your body moves.
(and, by the way, those Aeron chairs look nice but they are thousand-dollar pieces of shit. I had one at a dot com startup in 2000/2001, and I think that’s what gave me my back problem in the first place)
“Think about it, if your office chair is really comfortable, what is going to put a halt at taking a snooze break in the middle of working on something? ”
I’ve thought about it and what you’re saying is nonsense. If you’re sleepy enough that you need to take a snooze break, then you should take one. When you get up, you will be more productive. COUNTLESS studies say people who take naps are more productive and healthier. The Japanese are way ahead of us on this (Google “Japanese nap pod”).
Second, the only chair that ever made me tired is a barstool. In a bar.
“The only qualities that matter most are reliability and durability. Here are a few tips on finding that office chair you NEED.”
I do agree that it doesn’t matter what the chair looks like. Everything else in this section is folksy nonsense and it doesn’t seem to be based on any actual data.
–
“For many people who work in an office setting, sitting in an office chair without adequate back support can create a great deal of stress on the lower back. This is largely because in the seated position, the lumbosacral discs are loaded three times more than standing, and sitting without back support usually leads to poor posture, which stresses the soft tissues and joints in the spine. For many people, sitting in an office chair either causes or exacerbates lower back pain.
“Part of the problem is that today’s lifestyle often includes long periods of sitting—at work, during the commute to and from work, at home watching TV or at the computer, watching kids’ soccer games, and so on. And it’s in this sitting position that poor postural habits tend to develop— hunching over, slouching in the chair, etc.
“When sitting in an office chair, shifting one’s weight forward increases stress on the soft tissue, joints and discs, and this in turn can create muscle tension and pain in the lower back and legs (e.g. sciatica).
Office Chair Lumbar Back Support is Important
“The lower portion of the spine, just above the buttocks, naturally curves inward toward the belly (the lordotic curve). A lumbar back support helps promote good posture by simply filling in the gap between the lumbar spine and the seat, supporting the natural inward curve of the lower back.”
Tuesday, April 17th, 2012 14:10
Hello Tim,
Thank you for pointing out something in my article you disagreed with, and mention what you thought should be added. I think you may have taken some things to the extreme here, so let me help you out here. Its good to take note that this article is written from what personal experience taught me and worked for me to this point. I’m only 19, so yeah some things may not all apply to older readers directly, but the thoughts behind each thing I mentioned should. I’ll explain:
“Honestly, a chair is just a chair here.”
From this, I am referring to how when most people go to buy that first chair they spend too much time on how things look. In the first tip I mention, I’m advising to avoid the looks and go for a chair that suits the timeframe you plan to spend freelancing. Which for many may not be too long.
I also say to make sure you find suitable material. I admit I did not admit to look for something that suits whatever ailments might frequent someone, and making sure to find a chair that doesn’t do any type of harm, but I did say FIND SUITABLE MATERIAL. Which should be translated into finding something that suits you, and is a good fit for your body.
“Think about it, if your office chair is really comfortable, what is going to put a halt at taking a snooze break in the middle of working on something? ”
From my experiences, there are some chairs that are so comfortable you can’t help but fall asleep while sitting in them no matter how much quality sleep you’ve already gotten. This has happen to me a lot in my short life time btw. Maybe you haven’t experienced this, so you can’t understand this. However once you have, it will make clear sense.
“The only qualities that matter most are reliability and durability. Here are a few tips on finding that office chair you NEED.”
Tim you bring up good points here, but those other points I’ve addressed or referred to. Its also good to take note that not everybody will be sitting at their desk all day while working too. There are many people that work in a variety of places around their home office, and their general area. I’ve never been a fan of being in the same place too long, and like to change my space quite often. This is especially true while I’m working, and there are many people who can agree with this. Actually the majority of the people I meet.
You bring up a lot of GREAT points, and I appreciate you mentioning some areas I may have missed out on for those that read this. However, I do feel I addressed what was brought up in my article. Not so much directly, but still being addressed.
Wednesday, April 18th, 2012 07:29
Your initial premise is correct. A good chair for those of us that sit for long periods is very important, in fact critical. But your criticism of the Aeron chair is ridiculous. It’s the best chair I’ve ever had. It solved an incredibly painful lower back problem I had for years. If a particular chair didn’t work for you fine, but to claim that one of the best designed chairs (both ergonomically and design-wise) in the world is a piece of shit, is simply incorrect and dilutes the rest of your argument .
Regards,
Trevor Irvin
Tuesday, April 17th, 2012 11:43
Hello Jamal,
I agree with you, to do a good work you need a good place.
Sometimes my desk is full of papers and my motivation go down so i clean all and i’m up to make a good day of work.
Tuesday, April 17th, 2012 19:37
Hey Sarah,
My desk was like that before I came up with the three A system. It feels a lot better reaching for my sketchbook, knowing I don’t have to push stuff around to make room :)
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Sarah
Tuesday, April 17th, 2012 11:43
Hello Jamal,
I agree with you, to do a good work you need a good place.
Sometimes my desk is full of papers and my motivation go down so i clean all and i’m up to make a good day of work.
Jamal
Tuesday, April 17th, 2012 19:37
Hey Sarah,
My desk was like that before I came up with the three A system. It feels a lot better reaching for my sketchbook, knowing I don’t have to push stuff around to make room :)
Tim Wayne
Tuesday, April 17th, 2012 11:51
I love this blog and have been reading it for some time. I finally read something I disagree with:
“Honestly, a chair is just a chair here.”
You could not be more wrong. Sitting for long periods of time on a piece of crap chair is effortless in your twenties but not so great if you’re in your thirties and, for a lot of people (like me), absolute Hell if you’re older than that. A chair is not just a chair. It should offer proper lumbar support, it should move when you move, it should be highly adjustable and should fit your body.
I picked up a swing seat (swingseat.com) at Macworld five years ago and it changed my life. I don’t live with constant back pain anymore. I bought one for my mother as well. Swingseats are not cheap – I bought floor models that were half off. Even so, you’re spending a lot more time in your chair than you are in your car (and the most important time of the day, too) so don’t be afraid to invest in a chair that fits your body well and moves when your body moves.
(and, by the way, those Aeron chairs look nice but they are thousand-dollar pieces of shit. I had one at a dot com startup in 2000/2001, and I think that’s what gave me my back problem in the first place)
“Think about it, if your office chair is really comfortable, what is going to put a halt at taking a snooze break in the middle of working on something? ”
I’ve thought about it and what you’re saying is nonsense. If you’re sleepy enough that you need to take a snooze break, then you should take one. When you get up, you will be more productive. COUNTLESS studies say people who take naps are more productive and healthier. The Japanese are way ahead of us on this (Google “Japanese nap pod”).
Second, the only chair that ever made me tired is a barstool. In a bar.
“The only qualities that matter most are reliability and durability. Here are a few tips on finding that office chair you NEED.”
I do agree that it doesn’t matter what the chair looks like. Everything else in this section is folksy nonsense and it doesn’t seem to be based on any actual data.
–
“For many people who work in an office setting, sitting in an office chair without adequate back support can create a great deal of stress on the lower back. This is largely because in the seated position, the lumbosacral discs are loaded three times more than standing, and sitting without back support usually leads to poor posture, which stresses the soft tissues and joints in the spine. For many people, sitting in an office chair either causes or exacerbates lower back pain.
“Part of the problem is that today’s lifestyle often includes long periods of sitting—at work, during the commute to and from work, at home watching TV or at the computer, watching kids’ soccer games, and so on. And it’s in this sitting position that poor postural habits tend to develop— hunching over, slouching in the chair, etc.
“When sitting in an office chair, shifting one’s weight forward increases stress on the soft tissue, joints and discs, and this in turn can create muscle tension and pain in the lower back and legs (e.g. sciatica).
Office Chair Lumbar Back Support is Important
“The lower portion of the spine, just above the buttocks, naturally curves inward toward the belly (the lordotic curve). A lumbar back support helps promote good posture by simply filling in the gap between the lumbar spine and the seat, supporting the natural inward curve of the lower back.”
Jamal
Tuesday, April 17th, 2012 14:10
Hello Tim,
Thank you for pointing out something in my article you disagreed with, and mention what you thought should be added. I think you may have taken some things to the extreme here, so let me help you out here. Its good to take note that this article is written from what personal experience taught me and worked for me to this point. I’m only 19, so yeah some things may not all apply to older readers directly, but the thoughts behind each thing I mentioned should. I’ll explain:
“Honestly, a chair is just a chair here.”
From this, I am referring to how when most people go to buy that first chair they spend too much time on how things look. In the first tip I mention, I’m advising to avoid the looks and go for a chair that suits the timeframe you plan to spend freelancing. Which for many may not be too long.
I also say to make sure you find suitable material. I admit I did not admit to look for something that suits whatever ailments might frequent someone, and making sure to find a chair that doesn’t do any type of harm, but I did say FIND SUITABLE MATERIAL. Which should be translated into finding something that suits you, and is a good fit for your body.
“Think about it, if your office chair is really comfortable, what is going to put a halt at taking a snooze break in the middle of working on something? ”
From my experiences, there are some chairs that are so comfortable you can’t help but fall asleep while sitting in them no matter how much quality sleep you’ve already gotten. This has happen to me a lot in my short life time btw. Maybe you haven’t experienced this, so you can’t understand this. However once you have, it will make clear sense.
“The only qualities that matter most are reliability and durability. Here are a few tips on finding that office chair you NEED.”
Tim you bring up good points here, but those other points I’ve addressed or referred to. Its also good to take note that not everybody will be sitting at their desk all day while working too. There are many people that work in a variety of places around their home office, and their general area. I’ve never been a fan of being in the same place too long, and like to change my space quite often. This is especially true while I’m working, and there are many people who can agree with this. Actually the majority of the people I meet.
You bring up a lot of GREAT points, and I appreciate you mentioning some areas I may have missed out on for those that read this. However, I do feel I addressed what was brought up in my article. Not so much directly, but still being addressed.
T Irvin
Wednesday, April 18th, 2012 07:29
Your initial premise is correct. A good chair for those of us that sit for long periods is very important, in fact critical. But your criticism of the Aeron chair is ridiculous. It’s the best chair I’ve ever had. It solved an incredibly painful lower back problem I had for years. If a particular chair didn’t work for you fine, but to claim that one of the best designed chairs (both ergonomically and design-wise) in the world is a piece of shit, is simply incorrect and dilutes the rest of your argument .
Regards,
Trevor Irvin
Sri Ganesh.M
Wednesday, April 18th, 2012 07:51
Jamal, nice article and i need a help – can you suggest me ” how to keep the Dual monitor setup. i have two 23″ hd monitors and i dont know how to place it straight or one straight to me and other in the side-view.
you understand what i mean
Jamal
Thursday, April 26th, 2012 14:29
Well, this depends on your desk really. I have my dual monitors set like one straight in front of me and another to my set to my right at an angle. From my experiences, its always been good to have at least one screen facing directly in front of you and another at the angle you find most comfortable looking to. Mine just so happens to be my right.
kelly
Monday, April 23rd, 2012 20:13
A home office gives you the opportunity to think outside the box in setting up your work space. So why limit yourself to just a chair at your desk? Research has shown that sitting all day is quite detrimental to your overall health, even if you regularly workout. So why not have a treadmill instead of a chair and move all day? It’s a trend that’s gaining momentum.
I switched from an Aeron chair to a treadmill a year ago and the nagging hip pain I was experiencing disappeared entirely. It’s best to have a treadmill that will go as slow as 0.5 mph, it helps you focus on your work rather than your walking as you acclimate to moving while you work. It will take a little while to get used to this setup, and you should increase your time on the treadmill over a couple week period as your feet need to acclimate, too. You can vary your speed through the day to keep things interesting—sometimes I find that the slower speed slows my mind.
There are a lot of article you can find on creating a desk setup for a treadmill. Geek Desk is the best value I’ve found so far. I bought the frame-only version so I could make a customized desktop. I did a lot of research using http://officewalkers.ning.com/forum before I bought my treadmill and desk.
kabeer khan
Wednesday, May 9th, 2012 01:10
Really really awesome information about office !
Evelyn Wallace
Wednesday, April 25th, 2012 14:47
There’s a lot of great information for building an office that works. Important BUT I must also add that a home office would not be the proper environment for a client you have not met before or is new. That office is going to be personal at home and potential clients might perceive that to be too intimate. Meeting at the nearby coffeeshop first would just be good secure business and the personal home office reserved for clients well established and well known to you.
Rean John Uehara
Thursday, April 26th, 2012 04:41
I agree. Home offices are only perfect for people who work through the internet 100% of the time, like I do. And coffee shops are a perfect meeting place, they’re relaxing enough and inviting!