Are you a Bristolbased freelancer who currently works from a home office? Does your home office lack many necessary elements, all of which are starting to negatively affect your productivity and creativity?
Let’s face it, a home office isn’t always the distraction-free and professional kind of environment that people need. In theory, it sounds wonderful to be able to work from home, but then reality kicks in, and you realise you don’t have the right setup to be productive.
So, what are your options? The good news is that some work-from-home alternatives could be perfect for Bristolbased freelancers depending on the kind of space you need. Let’s take a closer look.
Co-working Office Space – A Trend Worth Looking Into
A big trend within the freelancer, contractor and small business owners’ industry right now is co-working office spaces. These types of businesses don’t usually require a full office building, but office space can still be great. It helps give your business a sense of professionalism and acts as a dedicated space in which you can be productive.
A co-working studio space in Bristol used by freelancers and contractors also means you can build a network of contacts. It can provide you with a sense of community, and people you can chat with about best practices, ideas, advice and so forth. These types of spaces still give you the privacy that a standalone office would, but you get the added benefit of being able to chat with others when the mood strikes.
Another benefit ofrenting co-working office space is it tends to be a much more affordable option. This is perfect for small business owners such as yourself, who are probably working on a tight budget at all times.
Below are a few things to look for in co-working office space:
- Reliable, high-speed Wi-Fi internet access
- Convenient location
- Available meeting rooms and breakout spaces
- Flexibility in monthly contracts
- Secure storage
- Parking on-site
A Garage Conversion Can Be a Simple Solution
Here’s a solution that’s not going to work for everyone, but for some, it can be perfect. If you happen to have a home with a sizeable back garden, you may want to look into a garage conversion project. These are often described as one of the easiest and most affordable ways to give you more space.
A single garage conversion may be all you need to create a fully-functional home office that has the privacy you crave and feels much more professional than sitting at the kitchen table with your laptop.
In terms of planning permission to convert your garage, this is something you’ll need to look into as it is based on several factors. If you hire a contractor to do the job, they will typically take care of this part for you. As the garage conversion needs to be useable year-round, remember that you need to factor in electrical, heating, and cooling.
For those with just a small garage, a smart layout will be the key to success. You want to maximize the space to its fullest potential. Multi-use storage and furniture can be helpful in this regard.
Looking for a Temporary or Short-Term Solution? Coffee Shops Can Be Perfect
Not everyone is looking for a long-term solution such as renting office space or converting a garage; sometimes you just need a solution for a few hours a week. In that case, find a local coffee shop that attracts professionals who are looking to work and be creative. It’s a great way to get out of the house, surround yourself with different sights and sounds that can inspire you, and change up your pace.
When looking for the ideal coffee shop, you’ll want to find one with a quiet and welcome environment that allows you to spread out at a table with your laptop. It should also have free high-speed internet access.
For freelancers who are struggling with a creative block, getting out of the house and changing their scenery can be the most effective solution.
Freelancers are used to being creative, and that same creativity should be applied to your working space. Sometimes, working from your house isn’t ideal and a new solution is needed. Any one of the above suggestions can be the answer to your workspace problem; it just depends on your needs, budget and expectations. The goal needs to be finding a solution that allows you to reach your full potential in terms of productivity.
