Freelance Tips: 7 Things to Put in Your Home Office

Working as a freelance proofreader can mean spending a lot of time in your home office. It’s important that your space offers everything you need to work efficiently, healthily, and happily.

So, if you’re itching to follow up on your new year’s resolutions (or just fancy changing up your workspace), here are seven things you can add to your home office to boost your mood and productivity:

1. Decent furniture so that you can work comfortably and efficiently.
2. Good lighting so that you don’t strain your eyes.
3. Organizational tools so that you can manage your working life.
4. Noise-canceling headphones to block out distractions.
5. Art and photos to give your workspace some personality.
6. Candles and diffusers to freshen up the air around you.
7. Houseplants to bring a little bit of the outdoors inside.

Read on to learn more about how to create a great home office!

1. Comfortable Furniture

If you’re spending several hours at your desk every day (or even most days), it’s crucial that you’re comfortable. It is therefore vital to invest in high-quality furniture.

Perhaps most importantly, an ergonomic chair that properly supports your lower back will help you maintain good posture and prevent distractions from any nagging pain or discomfort.

If you’d rather not replace your office chair entirely, you could invest in a back rest, memory foam cushion, or wrist rest instead. And if you’d like to take an occasional break from sitting down, an adjustable laptop stand or standing desk can make that possible!

2. Good Lighting

A poorly lit workspace can cause eye strain and headaches, so you shouldn’t rely entirely on harsh overhead lighting in your home office.

Of course, natural light is favorable if you can place your desk near a window, but if that’s not an option, a floor or desk lamp that can be adjusted for warmth and brightness will help you to stay focused without forcing you to squint at your screen.

Good lighting is also known to improve your mental well-being, which increases motivation. And for those of us who live in regions with long, dark winters, a sun lamp makes for an ideal light source and mood booster.

3. Organizational Tools

There are endless digital tools out there to help you stay organized, but it doesn’t hurt to keep a few old-school methods on hand too.

It’s easy to click away from an app or browser tab, but a physical calendar or planner on your desk can serve as a constant visual reminder of any upcoming meetings, events, and deadlines.

An organizer tray can also be useful for keeping track of stationery or paperwork (like the print copies of documents you’re proofreading!).

4. Noise-canceling Headphones

Whether it’s the bustling sounds of a busy family or the never-ending drill from a nearby building site, noise can be a big distraction while working from home.

You don’t need to spend time soundproofing your office, though – simply investing in a pair of noise-canceling headphones should do the trick!

Along with helping you to stay focused, these kinds of headphones can improve the quality of any work calls you make and allow you to communicate more clearly with your clients.

5. Art and Photos

People often overlook the word home in home office. You want your office to feel welcoming, so try adding some personality by decorating it with your favorite artwork, family photos, and anything else that adds warmth and cheer. You could even put up pictures that inspire you to work toward your goals – how about a poster of your dream holiday location or that piece of tech you’ve been saving up for?

6. Candles and Diffusers

Lavender for serenity, jasmine for confidence, peppermint for vitality…

Whether or not you believe in the healing power of aromatherapy, it’s true that a smell can trigger a memory or prompt a shift in mood, and a fragrant candle can transform your home office into a tranquil haven.

If you don’t want open flames around your desk, there are fire-free alternatives out there, such as essential oil diffusers and wax melts.

7. Houseplants

It’s been proven that proximity to nature benefits people in many ways, from increasing happiness to improving focus. While some freelancers are lucky enough to work in the great outdoors itself, for the rest of us, houseplants are the next best thing.

Not only can they brighten up your workspace, but they can also improve air flow and quality. Spider plants and rubber plants are some of the best air purifiers, while cacti, succulents, and devil’s ivy are all easy-to-care-for plants that can liven up your office.

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