People now pay more attention to the atmosphere they work in. Even though the workplace years ago only consisted of a table and a chair, today the expectations have grown significantly. People want to have comfortable workspace with every little details on its own place.

Besides, if you work as a freelance writer, you are in charge of your own workspace, so you can organize it the way you feel the most comfortable (that’s the reason why people usually feel jealous of freelancers who can work on a bed, by the pool, or at a favorite coffee shop). The more thought you invest into it, the higher your productivity will be and the better results you will achieve in the end.

If you have to work in a loud co-working space, sit on a broken chair, and squint when looking on the screen because the light is no good, then chances are, you will start hating your job soon. And you definitely do not want that to happen.

That is why, you need to organize your workspace. Meet our tips on how to do it best!

How to organize your workspace if you are a freelancer:

1. Keep your table clean

For starters, you need to make the most out of the space you have on your table. According to the recent statistics about decluttering presented by Becoming Minimalist, “manager loses 1 hour/day to disorder, costing the business up to $4,000/year if earning $35,000/year – or $8,125/year at $65,000.”

Moreover, according to the same source, people would have sent almost twice as less time on housework if they had fewer things or opted to declutter their homes. And these two figures are both important to your workspace: not only you will have to spend less time on cleaning, but you will also save time thanks to clutter-free desk and money for the same reason. Therefore, use drawers in your desk to keep your belongings so that they would not distract you. Leave only the things you use daily on the desk (such things include your computer, a pen, a notebook, headphones, other work-related items) while things that you do not use put in the drawers. Depending on how close the drawers are, you can also split all the items into several parts so that the ones you use most frequently will go on the top drawer, and so on.

2. Make sure you feel comfortable

You should make sure that the room has air conditioning system, has high ceilings, light walls, and is not too crowded. This is especially the case if you are renting a seat in one of the co-working centers: you have a choice, as there is a great variety of options there. But even if you work at home, you can still fix things like temperature in the room, color of the walls, noise protection, etc. Make sure that you feel as comfortable as possible: this will enhance your productivity.

3. Get a curved screen

It is not only a fun technology piece. It is also a great working tool with tons of fantastic benefits to take into account. First of all, it offers you a better immersion. You cannot disagree that when you are working on this screen, you almost feel as if it is wrapping around you. Moreover, you get an improved sense of depth which cannot but sometimes take your breath away. Thanks to different angles you look at the screen at, you get to see more than on a regular screen. Thus, your eyes do not get tired too fast, and you get images with better contrast (at least so says the legend). And also, you will look cool when working on a crazy tech piece like this.

4. Organize all the free space

Being organized might take some time to get used to, but it will definitely help you a lot once you get used to it. Having all the documents filed and stored carefully on your table, inside the drawers, and even on your computer is extremely important. This way, you will be able to find things you need under no time without having to waste precious moments on trying to spot them. Statistically speaking, Simply Orderly shows that an average American spends around 55 minutes “(roughly 12 days a year) looking for things they own but can’t find.” Just think of how much time you would save if you would get organized and use files and create a special order for everything you ever use when working. You can attach a shelf to the wall next to your table or buy special binders and folders to store information.

5. Separate the zones

To be more productive when working you need to have different zones for different activities. For example, you need to have a special zone you will go to when you get tired. This zone must have a comfortable place to sit and relax, no computer, and things you enjoy reading / watching / resting with. Meanwhile, computer zone must have no distractions of this kind at all. Only items related to your work. By splitting these two activities you will teach your brain distinguish rest and work, and instead of procrastinating at work, you will have specific time and place for it.

6. Make the space creative

You can take up some of your favorite pictures on the wall, change the wallpaper color, add more plants to your work zone, or blow up balloons to liven up the space. It’s up to you, but make sure that your workspace is not too dull. Otherwise, you will subconsciously associate work with something difficult and dull, and that’s not helpful when it comes to working. However, try not to add too many details, as they might distract you from what you are doing. Try to stay in one color theme and not throw in too many different bright colors to a place you work at. You need to feel safe where you work.

7. Choose the right colors

It might seem irrelevant, but it’s not so. In fact, colors can change our mood and boost your productivity. Therefore, if you work at home or can change the settings of your workspace, then check out the list of colors and explanations to them. Here is what the Entrepreneur says about different colors and their impact on human mind. Blue color enhances productivity. It helps people stay focused without getting distracted. Besides, this color can be easily combined with other colors, so that you can have different accents inside the computer zone. If you work long hours, then green should be your choice. It prevents people from feeling exhausted and keeps you vigorous. Besides, with this color your eyes won’t get tired too soon. Red is known for heart rate stimulation. It is also known for boosting passion and invoking emotions. So, if your job is related to something like this, add more red to your workspace. Yellow can help you boost creativity. Thus, if your job is creative and requires stimulation at times, then opt for this color.

8. Have more light

Natural light helps you work harder throughout the day. You would not want to sit in a dark office for several hours in a row, because this is very depressing. On the contrary, sunlight stimulates energy and elevates your mood. So, if your job is related to difficulties you need to overcome, sit and work by the window so that you can look outside every now and then to regain your optimism and energy. It’s a better distraction than grabbing your smartphone every time you feel upset.

9. Have a special fragrance for your space

Maybe you would not want to burn some specific oils in a co-working, but if you work from home, then this is an amazing idea! Some fragrances have the power to stimulate our brain and body and help us work really hard for a longer time. You can burn lavender and orange oils, as well as combine them with some vanilla extract, and sandalwood. By having this fragrance in your workspace, you will get more things done in the shorter timeframe (or at least so they promise). If you want two more recipes for great scents to boost your productivity, then check out this article by Scentcillo. They have some truly great stuff there!

10. Stay in good health

You should not sacrifice your health. So, you need to make sure that your chair is supporting your lower back and helps you have good posture. It is better if you have a chair you can adjust to your back specifically. Besides, make sure to take breaks and walk around the office at least two or three times every hour. Otherwise, you are at risk of developing serious heart issues. Bibliocrunch stated that around 250,000 deaths happen every year because of lack of physical activity. If you don’t really have time to walk around, then you can get one of those steppers or running machines. They allow you to exercise while working without having to move anywhere. You will get your muscles stretched and decrease the risk of developing diseases. Finally, consider working while standing. You can work standing all day or at least work partially this way. Scientifically speaking, you are more productive and much healthier if you choose to work while standing. It prevents you from having pain in upper back and neck. You do not have to stand the whole time, but at least an hour a day will help.

11. Do not pay too much

If you work at a co-working center, pay attention to the price they charge you with. Shared space cannot be too expensive no matter how great the surroundings are. And even if it costs slightly more than you expected, you can still make the most out this money by using all the services they offer. Should they have a coffee machine, stop buying coffee outside of office? Grab your cup and get coffee with you before you leave. Make the most out of every service, attend seminars and talk shows and build networks when in the co-working space. This way, you will not feel like you are being overcharged!

As a freelancer you get a privilege of choosing where you want to work. You might work from home or rent a seat in the co-working center if you think you will be more productive there. But no matter where you decide to work, with just a few useful tips, you can turn your workspace into a place where everything keeps you motivated, healthy and successful. Look at the place you work at and see how exactly you optimize it so that it meets your needs better.