Have you thought about how essential it is to have your “home office” well equipped and organized?
The pleasure of every freelancer is working from the comfort of your home, right. But that doesn’t necessarily mean you have to sit at the kitchen table and work from your notebook in an uncomfortable position, with the noise of an engine playing in the window, watching your younger siblings or children argue, and the discomfort that all of this can cause.
In fact, if you work in a place like this, even that could be a threat to your productivity and your results. Why not have your own space, equipment and resources to help increase your productivity?
So that you can organize yourself better in this post, we are going to share with you which are the elements that you do or should have in your perfect “home office”. You will see that they are simple to get and perform. We hope that after knowing these details you can get better organized, work more comfortably and enhance your career as a freelancer.
The 10 essential elements that your “home office” should have
Computers are an essential part of your office. “Desktop computers, notebooks, both?” is one of the first questions you’ll be asking yourself. The truth is that the answer will depend on your preferences, needs and possibilities.
If your work requires a lot of travel it is a good idea to have a laptop. If, on the other hand, you need a powerful computer for work as a graphic designer, perhaps in that case it is better to have a desktop computer.
It is essential to be connected to the web. A broadband connection is always recommended to speed up time, so make sure you hire a reliable service provider! You’ll need stability and signal strength to do your job smoothly.
When you are freelancing from home the internet connection is one of the main tools you have. Remember that it is fundamental not only to carry out your tasks, but you also need it to always be in touch with your clients.
And, as you know, clients feel more secure when they know you are there for them whenever you need it. This availability will help you get better and better customers and have long-term relationships with them and that will ensure you have a better income and more financial stability.
Here the list goes on: monitor, keyboard, mouse, printer, scanner, webcam, headphones… The important thing is that you have a wide monitor screen (the dimensions will depend on the work you do; whatever is more practical, even having two monitors). And that the printer and scanner respond very well to do quality work in your home office.
It’s not a minor detail and it’s often overlooked! And remember that they are complementary to voice over IP tools. When you work from home as a freelancer, it will be very useful to have your landline phone and smartphone always at hand.
If you are going to use your home phone, make sure it is a dedicated line for your contacts. If this is not possible, make sure you always maintain a professional attitude, especially during office hours.
This may seem obvious to you, but it is essential that you consider it. We never tire of saying that good and fluid communication will help you to have a better relationship with your clients. And if the client is satisfied with your work, besides giving you more projects, he will recommend you to other clients who also need your services.
Desk, chair, even cupboards or shelves for filing documents, books or miscellaneous items. Make sure they are functional and adapted to your needs.
The desk and chair should be ergonomic to encourage good posture during the hours of the working day. The best thing is that with the advance of design there is furniture that looks like “home furniture” that is very comfortable, useful and functional. We understand your fear that your home may look too much like an “office”, but if you look hard enough you will be able to design a place that is warm and at the same time functional to work at your own pace.
Your office should have very good lighting, as much as possible natural. It will help you avoid headaches, eyestrain and even bad posture from not being able to see the screen properly.
No matter what your specialty is, memos and notebooks are super useful for setting priorities, making lists or outlines, downloading ideas and so much more. They are available in different materials and designs, for all tastes and are fundamental for having a home office.
You are tired of your old office, and you want to bring a modern twist to it all? Here’s how to choose your trendy storage furniture to bring your office into the modern era. To have a stylish, clean and tidy workspace where you will feel inspired and creative, to be at your best.
Bookcases are a must for a harmonious and efficient office storage unit. Books can be stored by height, thickness, height or according to your taste. But they are not just made for inserting books, but also for displaying designer objects such as original book presses, designer knick-knacks or other decorations. They can also be used to store files that are not confidential, or that often need to be consulted. For a designer look, opt for an unconventional library with pure shapes and trendy colours. They can be with or without doors, glazed or not. It is then up to you to choose the one that will best showcase your office. The size and shape of your bookcase should be chosen according to the volume of your office. They are available in large, small, wide or answered.
Chests of drawers are more useful for storing items that you don’t want to display or office supplies. They can also hold valuable items and stacks of confidential files. Change of clothes, personal items, bills and other items can be stored in them. Above it, decorative objects such as pictures in pretty frames, succulent plants, an original light fixture and other decorative objects can be placed. Chests of drawers can be plain or multicoloured, with one or more doors, with or without drawers. They can be made of wood, metal, melamine or plastic. They can also have patterns that will give more originality to your office storage unit. The trendy chest of drawers of the moment is the Scandinavian one, simple but elegant with its purity and design. You will be able to combine it with furniture of the same style, a beautiful carpet and pretty lights.
The office is very often in demand. It is useful for writing, reading, working on one’s computer and many others. It is also a storage unit for the desk, as it contains built-in storage space. Usually, drawers are used to store the most used items such as post it, pens, notepads and the most confidential files, which are usually stored in a locked drawer. The most designer desks are often the simplest. Like multifunctional desks, usually made of wood, with clean, modern styles.
Office chairs play an important role in the modern workplace. While most people know their purpose and function, there are probably things you don’t know about them that may surprise you.
Office chairs generally see a lot of use in their lifetime. According to the National Post, the average office worker sits about 10 hours a day. Assuming an employee works 262 days a year, his or her office chair would be used for a total of 2,620 hours. For this reason, manufacturers must carefully design their chairs to withstand constant daily use.
The good news is that office chairs generally last a certain amount of time, even when used for 10 hours a day. A report published by Baylor University indicates that the average office chair lasts seven to eight years, after which it should be repaired or replaced. Other sources are even more optimistic, citing a full decade as the average life expectancy of the chair. Whether it’s seven years or 10 years, office chairs offer a lot of use when properly maintained.
Although best known for his revolutionary contributions to science, the English biologist Charles Darwin helped create the modern office chair.
As explained by Gizmodo , Darwin was a workaholic who spent countless hours collecting plant and animal specimens. And like any hard-working individual, he needed to rest from time to time. However, because he lived in the 19th century, the chairs of the time were only designed with fixed legs. Darwin wanted to be able to slide and move while sitting, so he modified a chair to include wheels on the legs.
Today, wheels – also known as casters – are a common feature of office chairs. Like Darwin’s rudimentary design, they allow workers to move around without having to stand up. Office chair castors are usually made of soft or hard materials. Soft casters work best on hardwood, laminate, tile and linoleum floors, while hard casters work best on carpet floors.
Although Darwin is widely credited with inventing the rolling design of the modern office chair, it was German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck who popularised the design.
By the mid-19th century – at a time when railways were developing – workplace culture was changing to an environment more akin to an office. Companies found themselves hiring additional receptionists and administrative staff, many of whom served for long periods of time. German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck was intrigued by the office chair, seeing it as a revolutionary new tool for the workplace. He saw the practical and real value of the office chair and, not surprisingly, wanted to share it with others.
Thus, Bismarck took the liberty of ordering hundreds of office chairs tailor-made for his Parliament. This introduced Members of the German Parliament, as well as the public, to the office chair; thus popularizing the now common office furniture. Without Bismarck and his desire to furnish the Parliament, the office chair might not have gained notoriety at the time.
Bismarck is considered by many historians to be a political genius. In addition to popularizing the office chair, he went on to create the world’s first welfare state.
Office chairs offer more than just comfort. They protect workers from physical injury.
Sitting for long periods of time can have a negative impact on the body, resulting in muscle pain, joint stiffness, aches, sprains and more. One such injury that is generally associated with sitting is coccydynia. It is not, however, a specific injury or disease. On the contrary, coccydynia is a catch-all term used to describe any injury or condition involving pain in the region of the coccyx (tailbone).
In addition, the right office chair can protect against back injuries such as back strain. As you may know, the lumbar spine is an area of the lower back where the spine begins to bend inward. Here, the vertebrae are supported by ligaments, tendons and muscles. When these support structures are stressed beyond their limits, it creates a painful condition known as lumbar tension. In today’s digital professions, we are often required to work long hours in a seated position. Comfort is a priority for your back
Fortunately, many office chairs – except for entry-level office chairs – are designed with extra support for the lumbar backrest. The extra material creates a support area for the worker’s lower back, reducing the risk of lower back strain and similar injuries in the lower back.
Office chairs are now designed with an emphasis on ergonomics, which means that they are optimised specifically for human use.
Ergonomics became a hot topic in the 1970s, when employers recognized the importance of designing workplaces to meet the needs of the human worker. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) were widespread in the workplace in the 1970s. In response, employers began to design their workplaces to minimize worker stress and create a safer environment.
This led, for example, to a redesign of the office chair. Ergonomic office chairs are designed with strict specifications to ensure the greatest comfort and support for the worker. They usually contain adjustable armrests, an adjustable seat, lower back support and a soft seat cushion.
In addition to protecting against injuries, good office chairs can also improve worker productivity. This is, of course, something that all employers and managers can benefit from.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), workers who work eight hours a day are typically productive for only two hours and 53 minutes. When they’re not working, they can surf the Internet, update their Facebook status, gossip, play games on their smartphones or simply “zonk.
However, you can encourage higher productivity in your workplace by investing in high-quality office chairs. According to a study cited by the University of Southern California (USC), employees are 17.5% more productive when they work in an ergonomic setting. A separate study cited by USC researchers suggests that workers are 17.7% more productive when given a highly adjustable office chair.
When shopping for new office chairs, you’ll probably notice that many are designed with a mesh backrest. Rather than having a solid material like leather or polyester padded with cotton, they have an open fabric through which air circulates. The actual seat cushion is usually still solid. However, the back contains an open mesh material.
Some business owners are reluctant to buy new office chairs, seeing them as an unnecessary expense that will hurt their finances. However, this could not be further from the truth.
While buying new office chairs requires money, it is a smart investment that pays off in the long run. As mentioned earlier, high quality office chairs can protect workers from injury and promote higher levels of productivity. For this reason, the purchase of new office chairs is usually a smart financial investment that saves business owners and office managers money.
Like desks, filing cabinets and other office furniture, office chairs are also generally a tax-deductible expense. Assuming you use them strictly for business purposes, you can generally write them off as an expense on your taxes. Whether you buy a new office chair or 20, you can write them off on your taxes. Remember to keep your receipts for accounting purposes.
The choice of an office is of paramount importance for a company. For a layout project, your selection guarantees the comfort of your employees. Indeed, opting for a sitting/standing office is an interesting option. It is an ergonomic, functional solution and a good remedy against body aches. To find the best furniture, there are some important factors to consider. Focus on what to look for when buying a sitting/standing desk.
Opting for a seated standing desk in your company is a perfect choice. It allows for an operational and satisfying layout. However, you still need to make a better selection. Above all, it is essential to check the performance of the furniture to be purchased. It is a matter of looking at how easy it is to use. A desk that allows you to work standing and sitting without difficulty for hours on end. Choose from the different mechanisms that exist on the market. Also pay attention to its maximum loading capacity. There are entry-level models with a single engine and high-end models with two engines. You must also consider the range of its adjustment to have a relaxing desk. The same goes for the noise level and the speed of the adjustment.
Of course, a convertible desk sitting upright is adjustable as you wish. This is important because it ensures your comfort during your work. The height is adjustable. This makes it possible to choose between desk converters and desks that can be adjusted by means of a crank handle. The former is to be added to an existing desk. You can raise a part as you wish. On the other hand, the second can be raised in its entirety. All you have to do is make a manual movement and it’s done. There are other mechanisms such as pneumatic adjustable desks. These models require weighing on a lever to operate. They do not require an electric wire. In addition, it is possible to purchase furniture with electric adjustment. A push of a button is enough to move the desk up and down. They are easy to use and the adjustment is done very quickly.
Finally, to find a good quality adjustable desk that meets your needs, consider its complementary accessories. So think about the possibility of running wires, adding screen mounts, etc. Also consider whether you can store your paperwork without difficulty. Check the convenience of installing a power bar under the desk if you have various electronic items. Next, don’t minimize the design of your convertible desk. Go for an attractive look and a clean finish. This may not be possible, but you should still go for a desk that’s not too wrinkled. For the best look of your desk, place importance on the following elements. Adopt a height control interface embedded in the work surface. The work surface should be made of solid wood rather than laminate or veneer.
Nowadays, the decoration of the workplace is very trendy to have a more attractive working environment. Its aim is to create harmony for the well-being of the employees in order to obtain a developed productivity. Currently, Scandinavian design is successful in homes and office decoration.
The history of Scandinavian decoration began in the 1900s. It was a great success after the end of the Second World War. There are some names of artists and designers who launched the Scandinavian style like Nanna Ditzel, Verner Panton, Kaare Klint and many others. Today, their creations are part of the world heritage of decoration. Today, Scandinavian office decoration is a great success throughout Europe. To better understand the particularities of Scandinavian design, we will define this concept.
The Scandinavian design is characterized by straight, pure and unadorned lines to create a comfortable and functional interior. This kind of style emphasizes the light colours as on the walls or furniture. Indeed, objects and furniture are inspired by the colours of nature such as pink, golden yellow or green. Wooden objects are very much used in this decoration. Apart from furniture, wood can also be found on the floor. The Scandinavian style is fashionable in the workplace. Bringing a touch of Scandinavian design to the workplace ensures good concentration and ensures the productivity of the company. Indeed, Scandinavian decoration is simple but very decorative. For example, you can choose a wooden meeting table because wood is very present in this style. In fact, it brings a touch of modernism. What about the investment cost of furnishing your office in Scandinavian style?
Scandinavian furniture has a special feature that sets it apart from other designs. Indeed, there are various solutions for Scandinavian office decoration, such as flooring, with the colours on the walls and floor generally being lighter. Therefore parquet is important when talking about flooring for a Scandinavian style. The colour white is ideal for painting walls and parquet. For the decoration of the interior walls, you can opt for graphic and colourful pictures, patterned carpets are recommended if the parquet is light-coloured, such as white, or in a natural colour such as pine wood.
Do you want to furnish your office or renew the furniture in its interior decoration? An office requires a nice decoration because it is a work space. Most workers spend a lot of time there. You shouldn’t feel uncomfortable in this place. It should be both decorative and functional. Why not choose the decor with some salvage? Here are some tips to help you decorate your office with old objects.
Nowadays, there are many jobs that are done at home. This requires a well-arranged and decorated office. Some decorating accessories could increase creativity and concentration for work. For example, you can choose the DIY office decoration. It works wonders. The idea of decorating with recuperation is economical, authentic and also stylish. If you want to create an office in your home, you can choose for example a desk area arranged in the cupboard or a wall desk with palettes. You can also use wire mesh for the legs. An ironing board could become an office addition.
You can integrate objects from the salvage in the style of vintage offices. It is often combined with wooden materials to have the noble characteristic of the decoration. It is possible to reuse office furniture. The use of recyclable furniture is an advantage for the environment, as it reduces the company’s ecological footprint. In addition, it does not require a large investment. For vintage office decoration, choose colourful furniture and emblematic objects. The fact of new and old gives a nostalgic note to a modern decoration. Bright colours such as green, orange, metallic blue are often used for vintage decoration, but it can be combined with softer colours. This style goes well with other decorative fashions.
Currently, the greening of a company’s interior space is becoming popular. Not only does it bring a natural spirit to the office, but it also promotes the good mood of employees and their well-being. Why not choose this style to decorate your office? It is possible to put plants on walls, floors or ceilings. You can turn your office into a design garden. Don’t forget that office design is not just about decoration and layout. It is also about doing the right thing every day. Every employee must take care of his or her work space. It is their duty to control the sorting of waste and to respect the material that leads to waste.
Who hasn’t dreamt of having a beautiful, impeccable home and decorating it well like in the shops? Sitting quietly in a house that you like and in a soothing harmony, feeling at home. Ideally, a work space adapted to everyone’s tastes so that you can be productive is also imperative. If you are forced to work in your office from 8am to 5pm every day while the decoration depresses you, you won’t be able to give the best of yourself.
For a change, why not try a baroque office decor? It’s a style coming from the 16th century, but it’s still very original. For people who like bright colours, they will be served since this style emphasizes shades of colours. The term baroque means, in architecture, the sense of detail as well as the notion of what is colossal or phenomenal. In decoration, this style stands out from the others by the use of several elements. A baroque-style office, for example, is an office with a lot of decoration with a lot of detail here and there. As far as futurism is concerned, the dominant colour is only white and a few other dark colours. The most used materials are mostly steel and glass.
So, if you want to adopt the baroque office decor at home, you’ll have to focus on a few points. However, since you mix baroque style with futurism, you will have to make some concessions in order to have a good harmony. With the baroque style, black, purple and mauve are the dominant colours. For a good rendering in your office, it is necessary to emphasize black and white with a few notes of other colours such as red or mauve sometimes. Next, the shapes of baroque furniture should be the most dominant, i.e. rounded and arabesque. For the futuristic side, neon lamps are not to be forgotten in your office, it is the very basis.
To start the room in which your office is located, must be white. Although one might think that the baroque style is out of fashion, some furniture models have been revisited to have a modern touch. For your office chairs, for example, why not opt for a medallion chair or a cabriolet chair for unparalleled elegance? With a baroque office table that is massive and imposing for an effect of grandeur. And for everything that is a source of light, choose neon for the futuristic touch. And finally, as a wall decoration you can put a mirror with neon lights on the edges. Other decorations such as wall watches can also be integrated in your office, let your imagination run wild.
A bedroom is a place where a child sleeps, plays and works. He always needs to be comfortable in his room . In this case, his area must be perfectly furnished and decorated. You can ask his opinion, think together and let your child make his choice for the layout. Inside the room, the office area is necessary. The room must be well ventilated. It must also have a well-appointed space so that the child can enjoy the well-decorated desk area.
Children of all ages always need a desk corner in their room, which is why we think about buying office furniture. And it’s also time to think about decorating children’s desks. Small children are already starting to enjoy their office corner with colouring, doodling and play dough. Children who are a little older, spoil themselves with their homework. The office corner offers the child a quiet place to learn their lessons. Always think about the desk being bigger than your child’s height. The best thing to do is to order desks that can be easily adjusted in height.
A child who has a decorated space is truly a fulfilled child. So it is advisable to arrange a child’s office area in a style that suits both children and parents. Several styles are proposed by professionals. It is up to you to make the choice with your child. The industrial style is coming back, it’s in vogue nowadays. It is ideal as a model to decorate a child’s desk. You can choose the colours you like. You can also choose the architect style. It’s true that it’s a simple style. Nevertheless, it is the bright colours and the drawings that bring the child’s office corner to life. You can also choose the Scandinavian style. The furniture is made of pine or beech. This time the style is very discreet. This will create a quiet atmosphere in the room.
Children who have their desks in their bedrooms from a young age have many advantages. The child gradually learns to tidy up his or her room and supplies. They begin to enjoy decorating their desks. He becomes responsible little by little. Older children take pleasure in responsibility. Children always have a lot of imagination when it comes to decorating their room. So, this will help them to make creations to embellish their space. Children enjoy working in their room.
In interviews, workers often ask about proposals for well-being at work. In order to have better productivity, employers must have certain resources to improve the working conditions of employees. With a few techniques and some will, friendships will be forged and this will create a good atmosphere in the workplace. Here are some ideas to motivate employees.
Working 5/7 days is very stressful, especially with monotonous and rhythmic activities. The idea of having relaxing days is very useful to recharge your batteries. Giving yourself a reason to meet up for a drink with your colleagues at work. Indeed, celebrating a birthday or just going out for a small party outside of work can be beneficial to employees’ state of mind. Allow yourself one day every month outside of work days, on a Saturday for example, to get together or go for a hike. This initiative will not have an impact on production time. In short, the simplest thing to do is the after-work on Friday evening after work where everyone can be present. In this way, the atmosphere and cohesion will be guaranteed.
Sport is the simplest and most widely used way to eliminate stress from everyday life. In general, practising any kind of sport guarantees good health which translates into a good mood. To motivate employees, do not hesitate to call on a private sports coach for a weekly yoga session or Zumba session on the premises of the workplace. This is not always enough, it is the intention that counts. They will appreciate the favour and work in a good mood. Practicing sport promotes cohesion and good understanding between colleagues. They will no longer complain about not having time for sport, because with this technique, motivation will be there and productivity will increase.
Nothing is more stressful than being under pressure regarding work schedules! So, to improve productivity, consider flexible working hours. Indeed, with a more flexible schedule, employees will be more than motivated. All they must do is respect the established hourly volume. This means that those who arrive early will benefit from leaving a little earlier and those who are late will finish later. This flexibility will help the employee’s development, knowing that they are not subject to fixed schedules, but they still must work 8 hours. In conclusion, allowing staff to choose their own working hours will be beneficial for productivity and the quality of the work provided.
Equipping your office with a trendy open space is certainly a good choice for an economic reason but also to save space. It is therefore essential to make a layout worthy of this surface without walls or partitions. You must think carefully about all aspects to obtain a place of well-being and comfort necessary for all your employees to guarantee good productivity. It is quite possible that an open space office can bring positive impacts to all teams, encourage collaboration, conviviality, motivation and dynamics. In order to avoid the problems and disturbances that an open space office can cause, it is essential to arrange the premises well.
Regardless of the configuration and layout you bring to your office, it is important to have the right office furniture for every team. As an example, a secretary or assistant or an administrative manager needs a desk that is wide enough. This work plan must be well functional to store the necessary files and that a computer specialist has the right to access all the electrical and connection installation. For the colour of the furniture, dark colours create depth for large rooms and light colours give more light. But in any case, this defines the atmosphere in the workspace.
Meeting areas should be considered for single or group seclusion. These can be a private area with visual and acoustic privacy. This space respects a trendy open-space office by keeping other employees away from disturbances and respecting the confidentiality of conversations. It is sufficient to put fixed or removable partitions for an insulated or glazed space. More specifically, adding meeting areas to an open space layout is very easy to do and organize. Then, it does not require too many special installations.
Well ventilated and bright, it is with all this that we find maximum comfort in a trendy open space. So don’t forget to provide lights according to the constraints and challenges of the place. The installation must be according to the office with more or less illuminating bulbs. For more well-being in your office, you have to think about temperature constraints. The change of temperature in an open space is very recent depending on the weather and it can become a real nightmare if we do not know how to control it. The lack of air conditioning in summer can cause discomfort to some employees because of the heat. On the other hand, in winter, which is harshly cold, employees complain especially if the glass kisses are poorly insulated. The viable solution is therefore to think about checking the installations before any open space office layout. A certified installer can help you with heating and air conditioning systems.