How to Create an Ergonomic & Efficient Home Office as A Freelancers?
Last updated: April 01, 2020
With the outbreak of COVID-19, more people are forced to stay home and join the growing community of freelancers who prefer to work from home while enjoying a cup of coffee and having vacation whenever they want. However, they still should make sure that their desk would not bring them any health or comfort problems. Stay tuned to learn how to set up an ergonomic and efficient home office that enhances your health and productivity.
What Makes A Home Office for Freelancers?
An ergonomic and functional workstation must be able to maximise the comfort, productivity, and efficiency of freelancers. Since potential clients put a high value on the quality and productivity level of projects, the way we set up our home office matters.
Typically, individuals wanting to work from home should have a laptop or PC on a table as well other gadgets required to do their tasks. Not to mention, a high-speed internet connection is vital for communication between you and your colleagues or clients.
To create a great home workstation, you should have the following:
1• An ergonomic chair and desk (or preferably a standing desk)
2• A Laptop or PC
3• A good monitor
4• A reliable Internet connection
5• Efficient A/C or heating system
6• Access to water, snack and other beverages
7• A clean bathroom nearby
8• Other items that inspire you and make you more efficient at your work
Choosing Ergonomic Desk and Chair
Spend time looking around and invest in a comfort and ergonomic-designed chair. It is one of the most important parts of setting up an efficient home office. The height of the chair is crucial, it should comply with the hight of the person who is going to use it.
The main rule is that your feet should rest on the floor while your lap being parallel to it. It is advised to select an armed chair so that your arms can rest on the chair and your elbows form a right angle removing any strain on your shoulders.
Because of benefits for health and mood, more people are now switching from a sedentary position to a more active position. If you have space for a traditional desk it is a good idea to replace it with a standing desk.
Choose an efficient PC or Laptop for your Home Office
You should have a laptop or PC with specs that meet your job. You also need appropriate software installed on your system. Some freelancers only need a word processor, a spreadsheet and an email to do their jobs, while others may require a specialised app such as Adobe products or CAD software. Assess which software is essential for your work in advance and make sure they are installed and configured on your system.
Using a laptop has this advantage that you can set up a mobile workstation (For example, if you intend to work from a coffee shop) and take it with you for the presentation of your project to the clients. If you consider a laptop for your home office, it’s recommended that you have a separate keyboard and mouse for it. Choose keyboard and mouses that are ergonomic and bring you comfort while working.
To get the most from your home office, It’s best to attach your laptop to an external monitor.
A Monitor with the Appropriate Size, Type, and Distance
When you already have a good chair (or a standing desk) and PC, it is time to choose a proper monitor. The size and type of monitor as well as how it is located influence your health and eye strain. One way to select the right monitor is by making sure that you are looking at the center of the screen straight forward.
Experts also suggest that the top of the monitor should be at the level of your eyebrow.
To reduce the pressure on your eyes, your monitor must be neither too far nor too close to your eyes. You can find the best distance by putting your arms straight in front of you; your fingertips should touch the screen slightly.
Adequate lighting
Just as a good chair, proper lighting is crucial for creating an ergonomic home office. If you can, let the sunshine enter your room so that you get the benefits from Vitamin D. Otherwise, you need a daytime task lighting on your desk.
Many ergonomic task lightings come with a dimmer switch so you can control the amount of light. A yellow cast illumination can enhance comfort and health in your home office. It’s also important to protect your eyes and lessen eye strain by regularly taking a short break and rest as well as adjusting the room lighting.
High-Speed and Reliable Internet Access
In the past, people were able to work remotely with a dialup connection, but now it’s no more. To work online efficiently i.e. send and receive files and emails, attend video conferences and collaborate on a cloud, a broadband connection is essential.
Other Equipments and Technologies
You may need other facilities and technologies that facilitate your job depending on your occupation. For example, you may need a Printer/Fax, Telephone/VoIP, Network Router or a UPS.
Investing in an ergonomic home office is essential for your health and productivity. In finding items such as chairs and accessories consider quality, affordability and ergonomic features.
