How’s Your Home Office These Days?
Today’s guest post comes to you from Jamie Sward. (Merci beaucoup, Jamie!) There’s a bit of a story behind it as well.
Not long ago, I was a kitchen-chair web worker – if you can call a stolen bar chair worthy of either kitchen or office. Backaches, leg cramps, pins and needles… “One day I’ll get a real chair,” I said, but two seconds later, the thought was gone from my mind. I had priorities, you know.
Then Christmas came. I received my very own office chair for my total comfort and pleasure (in blue, too!). What a difference it made.
I invite everyone to rethink their work habits, workspace and home office strategies this weekend. Isn’t there at least one thing it’s time you changed for better comfort?
And now… the floor is Jamie’s. (The other Jamie.) Enjoy the post, folks.
Depending on how organized you are, working from home can be either a blessing or a curse.
Some might assume that life as a freelancer is stress-free, but we all know differently. Sure, a freelancer’s day-to-day schedule might be a bit more relaxed, but crunch times happen and four, five or six deadlines loom – all at once.
Freelancing can be every bit as stressful as working in a corporate environment.
Your home office setup directly affects your productivity and quality of work. Sound surprising? It’s true. Let’s explore a couple of troublesome home office setup scenarios and solutions that set you on the path to better productivity.
Techno-Overload
It’s very easy to let technology take over your life. Everything these days is mechanized to the point that you don’t really have to do anything for yourself.
Need coffee? Why grind your own when you can get one of those Senseo Coffee Makers with futuristic Jetsons-like pods to brew a perfect cup every time! And in the office? Electric staplers, zippy pencil sharpeners… there’s even an office chair that gives you a workout while you sit at your desk. With technology rapidly advancing, soon we’re not going to have to type anymore!
Solution: While technology is great, don’t go crazy and purchase every single gadget on the market. Not only will you waste money, you’ll often find these gadgets cumbersome, creating excess clutter.
If you’re going to spend money, get an ergonomic office chair. A nice Herman Miller might cost you a pretty penny, but you’ll be more comfortable sitting at your desk, feel better about yourself and end up being more productive. (And that equals more money!)
Over-Thrifty
With the economy taking a nosedive, it’s understandable that people want to do whatever they can to save money. Freelancers and others who make their living working from home shouldn’t skimp when it comes to the place they work every day – their home office.
Propping your laptop on a collapsible TV tray and scooting up to your Wal-Mart desk in one of your kitchen chairs may seem like an affordable way to work, but it’s not comfortable and nor is it practical.
Solution: While there’s something to be said for penny-pinching, if you’re working from home (sometimes seven days a week), you need a comfortable workspace. There’s no need to be economical, both in terms or price and space. You should have a large desk with plenty of room for your computer, storage for necessary supplies and an area to spread out your work and take notes. Find other areas to save money, or else you’re not going to be very productive – which ends up costing you money.
The way in which you set up your office affects your level of productivity to greater extent than you might believe. Here are some important office setup tips that all freelancers should consider:
Spatial Relations: Strongly consider the location of your office before setting it up. An ideal home office location is away from high-traffic areas like the kitchen, the kid’s playroom and the TV room.
Let There Be Light: An ideal home office needs good lighting. This includes natural light as well as an overhead light and a desk lamp. Sitting at your computer in dim light (or even the dark) staring into a bright screen is damaging to your eyes and causes strain. It’s also likely to encourage poor posture, as you have to lean forward to read the screen.
Distraction-Free Zone: While the location of your office helps eliminating distractions, it’s important to consider small distractions that keep productivity at bay. Televisions, radios, and cell phones all have their own benefits but you don’t want any of them in your immediate vicinity.
Clutter-Free & Carefree: A clutter-free office is a carefree office. Some people claim they can work with papers lying about, but a carefree office actually boosts good spirits and creativity. Invest in a filing cabinet as well as some desktop organizers for writing utensils and papers. Have a paper shredder to discard sensitive documents and a recycling system to cut down on office waste.
Creating your perfect workspace involves blending location with comfort and jazzing it up with some style. Just think of all of those poor souls stuck in cubicles, and be glad that you’re not one of them!
Your turn: What does your home office look like? Are you cramped and sore? Are you sitting in the lap of luxury? Can you see the sun from a window? Let’s hear it!
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Big desk? Check.
Comfortable, ergonomic chair? Check.
Good lighting? Check, though I could stand some more natural light. Though with a badly placed apartment, what can you do?
Distraction free? Erm, well… we’ve got a small apartment. Our living room doubles as an office. *shrugs* I take what I can get, but I’ll be working with distractions for a while.
Clutter free? Yeah, just ignore that pile of papers in the corner… and the mess on my desk… and… okay FINE, I’ll clean up.
Also important, a good BED. (I only mention this because I’m incredibly excited about finally getting a real bed to sleep on, after spending the last three years on a couple of memory foam mattress toppers acting as a bed.) No really… if you don’t sleep well, you’ll lose productivity, right? So, though not necessary for most people’s offices… it’s still a freelancer essential.
Allison Day´s last blog post…Herb Garden
That’s one thing on which I do not skimp – I spent hours and hours in my chair, and comfort is paramount! I have a Ekorness Stressless lounger for my office chair, a swivel keyboard, and 2 mats by either side of my desk for the mooses when they want to relax.
The 12 freeflying Twitter Budgies have their trees about 10 feet away from me, and occasionally they’ll fly laps around the kitchen and office.
And speaking about beds, have you researched yet to the point where you’ll realize that the vast majority of ALL brands are made by the SAME manufacturer – the only difference is the marketing? Was that ever a bummer when I learned it in 2005….
Data points, Barbara
Barbara Ling, Virtual Coach´s last blog post…Must-have HIGH payout alternative to Google Adsense
Barbara – Really? I had no idea! We got a super-comfy memory foam mattress… but anything’s better than two mattress-toppers on a hard floor.
Allison Day´s last blog post…Herb Garden
So…I’ve heard of people stealing glasses or silverware from a bar, but stealing a chair? Seems like there’s gotta be a story there.
Mike P´s last blog post…Cash Flow = Wealth
Jamie,
How funny, I just wrote this morning about seating and posture at MCE (which naturally, CommentLuv isn’t picking up).
I agree on all points, especially the lighting. In every aspect of my work, great lighting has made the difference in terms of energy and ability to do my best work, which is why I’m also fanatic about it with clients. We don’t need to set mood in an office (stop-horsing-around mood?), but it can do that brilliantly, too. I’d rather folks get the very best lighting for their situation than make just about any other change.
‘Cept the seating. Do have good seating.
James,
Nice guest post!
Regards,
Kelly
Kelly´s last blog post…Are You as Essential as Morning Coffee?
My desk chair isn’t ergonomic, it’s purgatoric. I usually sit on the very edge so it doesn’t totally flatten my butt. Not sure why I’ve tolerated it so long, thanks for the kick in the butt (although I didn’t feel it because my butt is numb from this chair) reminding me to get a new chair!
Oh, I do declutter from time to time and not only is it a great way to procrastinate but it really feels like I’ve accomplished something afterward.
Terry Heath´s last blog post…Rampant Creativity and Capitalistic Tinkering
And this is especially true for anyone who writes for a living.
A distraction free zone – one that has a door, preferably is essential to getting work done.
Around here, when the door is closed it means do not disturb, genius at work. No really. I have them bussed in special. (Thought I’d beat Kelly to the jab.
)
George
Tumblemoose´s last blog post…Harriet Tubman keeps my writing going
@ Allison – Small desk, check. Pile of papers, check. Shitty lighting, check. Clutter, check. High distractions, check. High-traffic location, check.
BUT! I have a good chair!!!
You’re also very right about the mattress, by the way. Key, key, key. And it makes a noticeable difference. What’s interesting is that softer mattresses do not provide a better sleep and often give people sore bodies
@ Barbara – The birds and I would not get along, so better with you than me
As for manufacturers of mattresses, that’s like any product out there. Every manufacturer has a premium brand and lesser brands and white-label brands etc etc. They just change the label and the price.
@ Mike – The worst part of it is that when I needed a chair, I told my mum.
“Why don’t you take those old chairs of yours out in the barn?”
“I have chairs in the barn?” *blink*
“Yes. Six, in fact. A matching set. Remember? You brought them home one night from the bar. I don’t know how you got them out of the bar, though.”
“Um… okay… Neither do I…”
@ Kelly – POSTURE! Ohmigod, yes. Seriously, seriously, yes.
@ Terry – One great advantage of my bar chair was that it had an edge around the seat that would press into my thighs, so I could sit longer because I’d lose all feeling in my legs.
Of course, every time I stood, I nearly fell over and would have to wait a few seconds for circulation to come back… painfully.
@ Tumble – A door… My kingdom for a door… *cries*
When I started my own business seven years ago, I bought a fab black leather, almost infinitely adjustable chair at The Back Store for $1200 and it’s been worth every nickle. I can sit in it for hours, looking out at the snow (right now) or the crabapple tree when I need a break from the screen. Next to the computer, it’s the most esential thing in my office.
Jean Gogolin´s last blog post…From Now On, We’re All About Stories
Hi everyone!
Thanks to James for letting me do a guest post and thanks everyone for the comments. Now…having a bed in the office? That sounds amazing…although I think that would serve as a distraction for me.
As for the natural light issue…if you’re working with limited space, you’re right. Not much you can do. You can’t just install a window. You could purchase a SAD Light though…SAD stands for Seasonal Affected Disorder and while I personally can’t vouch for them, I’ve heard good things. They are supposed to simulate natural sunlight.
What does everyone think of arm rests? Necessary? I know a lot of people that prefer chairs without them. Perhaps it helps promote better posture in some way by forcing you to sit up straight? Also, does anyone use one of those inflatable yoga balls as a chair? That’s supposed to be really great for posture but I personally couldn’t last all day sitting in one. Yikes!
Jamie,
SAD lights rock. Got one for my kid (spoiled, spoiled—they’re expensive), and it has been the best thing ever. If you’ve got the dough I can’t recommend it highly enough.
George,
Terry,
Purgatoric is the best word ever! Totally stealing it. To describe my life… *sigh.*
Until later,
Kelly
Kelly´s last blog post…Where Are You Sitting?
Thanks Kelly. Good to know about SAD Lights. I know they are a bit on the expensive side but if they work and you can afford it…totally worth the price!
My “office” chair was a gift, and I think it came from WalMart. I usually end up sitting with my feet drawn up, Indian-style, because it hurts my back after about 15 minutes.
The chair situation has gotten so bad, I’ve moved to the couch, which is only slightly better. I found a nice comfy chair at Staples, for $400!
But you know, you are absolutely right, if it’s killing my productivity, I need to take time out to go shopping for a replacement, even if it means spending $400.
I did buy one of those “natural lighting” desk lamps to replace the fluorescent beast that once lived there. HUGE improvement on the eye strain factor.
Jamie Simmerman´s last blog post…A New Perspective
Good chair, huge desk, window overlooking front of house, ergonomic keyboard with cat hair – check, check, check…
No bed in office, just a motorcycle.
Hmm … let’s see. I sit on the floor in my bedroom, with my laptop on a (very solid, non-folding) bed tray, while leaning back against the ottoman of my cushy chair in the corner (which never actually gets sat in). This actually works just fine for me, though one of these days I should really get a cushion to sit on. But, when you don’t have a desk and have no place to PUT a desk, well, you’ve got to make do! It’s either this or the kitchen table and, frankly, my floor is much more comfortable and gives me a ton of room to spread out. The only problem? The television is right there, waiting to be a distraction.
I promise, though, that if I ever DO get a chance to get an office, that I’ll get a good chair.
(Oh, and in the interests of full disclosure, I’m writing this comment from my day-job where I DO have a desk and proper office chair, not that it’s fancy.)
–Deb´s last blog post…Premio Dardos
Hi Deb,
There’s nothing wrong with that sort of set up in your bedroom. It does sound comfortable, and as long as you’re supporting your back, that’s totally acceptable. Just make sure you aren’t sitting in that position for hours and hours at a time.
Lap tops are a little more difficult to use while maintaining good posture. I have difficulty seeing the lap top screen, even with my glasses on. I have to slouch forward (maybe it’s time for new glasses!).
I tend to sit straight up with my legs crossed, or reclining against the ottoman with them stretched out in front of me. I have one of those Levenger lap desks, too (the curved, flat piece of wood), which gives me a little bit more work space and that I can pivot, so that I can have my legs alongside the lap desk, rather than under it … Hey, it’s flexible! And, it’s GOOD to be in your 40s and still able to sit comfortably on the floor, right? If I’m lucky, it’s within petting distance of my dog, too, unless he’s sitting by the door, watching the hallway for suspicious activity (grin).
–Deb´s last blog post…Premio Dardos
I’d like to have a dedicated office to work in, one day, but for now, my “office” consists of a desk and a computer chair tucked into a corner of my bedroom. I know they say you shouldn’t work in your bedroom, because it supposedly trains your brain that sleep = work and work = sleep, but sometimes you don’t have a choice. I’ve thought of getting a small standing partition to separate the space, but it’s small enough as it is, so I don’t think that would work.
Gabriel Gadfly´s last blog post…Intensive Care
As I mentioned on Kelly’s blog, the only way to go is a great chair with the feet up on the desk. No matter how many hours I sit and work, my back never gets tired because the weight is distributed at various points instead of centred on my lower back. Plus, it keeps the circulation going well.
In fact, I think I might just get one of those loungers. Picture it: big screen TV on the wall (they have those now where you can plug in your computer and use it as a screen…), nice lounger in the middle of the room, and floating, wireless keyboard and mouse.
Wow, I’ve just imagined my dream office, I think…
~Graham
Graham Strong´s last blog post…5 Steps To Better Brainstorming for the Intrepid Freelancer and Independent Business Owner
250 sq ft for two people and a home-based business. Yes, I work on either the bed or the kitchen table. No option. When the income starts rolling in an apartment with a 2nd bedroom is on the menu and *then* I’ll get a decent set up again…
Alex Fayle | Someday Syndrome´s last blog post…Does procrastination arouse you?
@James – Try telling that to my back, and my sleep patterns… both of which have improved quite a bit since getting the softer mattress. Not too soft, of course, but I just can’t stand practically sleeping on the floor.
Allison Day´s last blog post…Herb Garden
@Alex,
You could try one of these from IKEA http://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/70137919 and a folding chair. They have another model that is slightly different for a bit more money, that is made of wood if you don’t like the metal one.
Brett Legree´s last blog post…viking fridays – the mind and the heart.
@Alex,
To save you the trouble if you want to go to the IKEA Spain site
http://www.ikea.com/es/es/catalog/products/10139134
(No, I can’t really read Spanish too well but the little pictograms IKEA has on their web sites are universal…)
Brett Legree´s last blog post…viking fridays – the mind and the heart.
Interesting timing for this post, I’m going shopping this week for a new office chair as I’m fed up with making do and ending up with a sore back! Being comfortable makes a huge difference to productivity!
We’re very fortunate to live in a big house with four bedrooms and a study for the three of us, so I have one of the bedroooms as an office. I love being able to shut the door and remove distratctions! DH and the child know not to interrupt when the door is shut, it’s only the cat who takes it as an invitation to interrupt. LOL!
And on the bed subject, I’ve been nagging DH for weeks that we need a new mattress and he doesn’t agree…. Grrrrrr…. He’s likely to come home from work one day and find it’s been replaced without his knowledge!
Melinda´s last blog post…Feed has moved
Top post! I’m just wondering what distractions will come my way when I get that net-book I want and start paying for coffee in the city centre while I work … Inspiration or distraction; tbc!
On the Money´s last blog post…Online News Release Know-how … Free Advice!
Jamie, thanks for the plug. I work at the company that produces your blue chair (and the Walkstation, a combination workstation/treadmill) and we focus on ergonomics a lot. There’s nothing worse than sitting all day in an uncomfortable chair.
Liz, who is typing as she reclines on the couch
LizPTV´s last blog post…Good recipes gone horribly wrong
@ Money – Ooh. Working in the city center? No, no… peace and silence, ahhhh…
@ Melinda – Can I move in with you? Please? Just for a while… I shovel snow really well…
@ Brett – Ikea has these really good oatmeal-chocolate-oatmeal sandwich cookies. I loved them. *sigh*
@ Allison – Ah, as long as it’s not the mushy kind of mattress, you’re good. I think they recommend firm for the best sleep, which actually feels stiff but you do consistently wake up feeling better for longer. Then again, to each our own, eh!
@ Alex – Dude. You guys live in a cereal box. I’d go bananas – where would I pace?!
@ Graham – My perfect office has the feet up, cushy chair, big screen… and an assistant I can tell my every wish, and that person can just… go make it happen for me. Hm?
@ Gabriel – Bedroom! AUGH! No no no… Okay. Your mission for 2009 is a section of the house outside your sleeping area. Yes?
@ Deb – You can sit on the floor, but do you creak when you get up?
@ OtherJamie – I do that too… I think I’m actually supposed to put my glasses on, though, so there you go!
@ JamieNumberThree – Anything that boosts productivity is worth it, I say! (And yet it took me three years to shed my bar chair…)
@James,
What about the red hot dogs that “squeak” when you bite ‘em?
(eww)
Brett Legree´s last blog post…viking fridays – the mind and the heart.
@ Brett – Haven’t touched a hot dog in years ever since watching a show on how they’re made.
Esophagus, dude. That’s all I’ll say.
@James,
Oh, I know how they’re made too. Though sometimes I wonder if it is better to know, than not to know. If you know what I mean.
(e.g. unless you only eat food you grow yourself, and you are OCD, the average person is estimated to ingest about 2 pounds of insect parts, maggots and other “crap” per year, if you eat food from the typical grocery store… modern food processing is not clean, just ask Amy… thankfully the human body can tolerate a fair bit of contamination)
Brett Legree´s last blog post…viking fridays – the mind and the heart.
@ Brett – The insects, etc, were the LEAST of my gross-out issues. When they list prime cuts of meat like tongue, esophagus, intestine, heart, ass, etc etc… uh, yeah. I’ll eat flies. Hell, I HAVE eaten flies (you can’t work at a stable and not). But I’ll be damned if I’ll eat some other animal’s esophagus.
The sad part is… I loved a good toasté all dressed. Now I can’t eat ‘em anymore.
Sure, we have a spare room! People might talk though, my DH is currently deployed to the Middle East! LOL! Can I pick your brains while you’re here???
I should also point out that I live in Australia, so what’s this snow stuff you’re talking about??????
Melinda´s last blog post…Work At Home 101 – Free Online Course
James,
LOL—Such a flirt.
Shacking up one day, moving in “just for a while” with someone else the next…
How do you say “tsk, tsk” in French?
Maybe that’s the problem. You don’t say “tsk, tsk” enough.
Later,
Kelly
Kelly´s last blog post…Where Are You Sitting?
@ Kelly, you’re just jealous… LOLOL!
Melinda´s last blog post…Work At Home 101 – Free Online Course
Melinda,
I’d be glad of a DH. All this shacking up makes my head spin.
Kelly´s last blog post…Where Are You Sitting?
A workstation/treadmill? Yikes…that sounds potentially dangerous…especially for someone who’s just barely able to multi-task!
@The Other Jamie,
I seem to remember a story of a fellow who lost a lot of weight doing that – I guess if you just walked it would be okay. Though the noise of the treadmill would drive me nuts…
Brett Legree´s last blog post…viking fridays – the mind and the heart.
Ah, James — see you’re taking it all the wrong way! That is so why it would never work in the corporate world, and why home office is the only way for me.
Feet up doesn’t mean relaxing, it means being comfortable so that (a) I get more work done and (b) my bones don’t feel like they’re scrabble tiles rattling around a CR bag when I get up from my desk at the end of the day.
And I’m serious about my dream office — one day it will come to pass. Big screen on the wall, lounge chair in the middle of the room, wireless keyboard and mouse…
I’m looking forward to it already.
(Time to put my feet up and get some work done!)
~Graham
Graham Strong´s last blog post…5 Steps To Better Brainstorming for the Intrepid Freelancer and Independent Business Owner
@ Graham – That sounds (strangely enough) like the guy who sleeps on the job. His boss wakes him up and says, “What are you doing?”
“Sleep studies have proven that naps actually increase performance and productivity. So I’m actually becoming a better employee for you…”
lol – yes, which is why “feet up on the desk to save your back and other joints” will never be socially acceptable.
Except in my office…
~Graham
Graham Strong´s last blog post…5 Steps To Better Brainstorming for the Intrepid Freelancer and Independent Business Owner
I can speak directly to the point that you need to have a place to work away from the hustle and bustle of family life. I work part time at home and full time away from home at a corporate job. My problem is my family does not really think I am working when I am sitting in front of the screen typing.
My wife especially thinks it is perfectly acceptable for her to interrupt my whenever she has something to say. She gets angry if I say I need to concentrate on the piece I am writing.
Does anyone have ideas on how I can get her to understand that I need to focus when I am working at home? It is not like I spend all my time writing. I only work about an hour a night and the rest of the time I spend with the family.
Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Andy@no carb foods´s last blog post…No Carb Snacks For A Low Carb Diet
@ Andy – There are a few ways you could gain more understanding from family, and barring that, create an environment that has less distractions. Here are two ideas:
1. Be clear. “I really have a hard time finishing up what I was doing when you speak with me. I love that you do, and I’d like to give you my full attention. I could do that if you’d hang on until 8pm. Then I’d be finished, done, and all my attention would be yours. Could we do that?”
2. Leave. “It’s important to me to have this hour to myself, as I really need to do X to get Y, which would make both our lives better. I’d love to work here at home in your company, but I think it might be better for both of us if I work from the library from now on. I’m sorry about that… do you see another solution?”
3. Don’t fight.
Thank you for the return comment James,
I think you are right the best thing to do would be to sit down and try to reason out what needs to be done. I also can be sure to be “all there” when I am with my wife and family.
Sometimes it is great to get another opinion.
Thank you
Andy@no carb foods´s last blog post…No Carb Snacks For A Low Carb Diet
I knew I had done my office right when I sat at the desk of friends and family members finding my hands and arms started cramping within a few minutes. I can sit here all day long (with a couple of breaks) and never feel it. Thank you, Aeron chair, wrist rest on both keyboard and mouse pad, and foot stool.
It is worth the investment. I’ve had all of these for over four years and no need to replace anything.
Meryl Evans´s last blog post…Get in the Mood for Love
I’m sooo guilty. I own a desk. It’s a really nice bookshelf/desk unit from Crate & Barrel. It’s beautiful. Right now, clean laundry is on my desk and I’m working from my dining room table.
(Can you call it a dining room table if you don’t have a dining room?)
I don’t have an office chair yet, but my microfiber parson chairs are hella comfy.
Geek’s Dream Girl´s last blog post…10 Things I Expect in The Future
Awesome post! I especially agree with the words of wisdom about keeping the clutter to a minimum. I’d also like to echo Meryl’s praise of a footrest. (For me, it’s the subwoofer to my computer speaker system!)
Catherine Cantieri, Sorted´s last blog post…Your family (is a) business
We closed in an awkward formal living room in the front of our home. We put in some french doors and some built ins. I LOVE my home office! Bonus points: I can see the street when my son is outside playing. One thing it needs is a little more light. Another small home improvement project perhaps?
Brandie Kajino´s last blog post…Reboot Your File Cabinet: 5 Simple Steps
I drink a lot of water, and it was getting annoying getting up to the kitchen every 15 minutes, so the improvement I made to my home office was to install a bar fridge next to the computer.