Whether it’s writer’s block creeping up on you, being overwhelmed with client work, or another content writing-based challenge, you’ve got to continuously get over these humps to make a real living.
It’s much easier to do so when you have a space in your home that transports you into your zone. You have everything you need, organized and ready to go in a space that inspires your best work.
If you’re worried because you have minimal space to use for writing, don’t be. You can still create a functional nook for writing with the right focus. Use these tips to optimize minimal spaces for writing and ensure you’re as productive and creative as possible in yours.
Look at What Spaces You Have to Work With
If you only have one particular space to work with, then you can move on to the next section. If you’re still weighing your options on where to carve out your nook for writing work, analyze them carefully.
These small spaces have great potential for becoming a solid place to write:
- A corner in your bedroom
- In a hallway or bedroom closet
- In a living room corner adjacent to a window
- Small alcove off from the kitchen or another larger room
- Wall workroom in an extra room
These areas may be undersized, but they’re potential homes for a good workstation for a few reasons:
- They’re in places you’re familiar with and relaxed in
- They’re compact areas but still have enough space to be functional
- You can transform these spaces on a budget in a short amount of time
If you have more space to use to dedicate to writing, don’t overlook it. The larger the space, the more you can do to it to make it into a full-on office. For example, if you aren’t using your garage, you can repurpose it into a productive home office.
An office in your garage is ideal because you still experience the convenience of working from home but have a separate, distraction-free space to write in, fueling productivity and making it easier to establish a work-life balance.
Converting a garage into an office isn’t as complex a project as you might think. Declutter and clean your garage first to see the layout you’re working with.
Make sure you have power, insulation, a heating and cooling system, and security. Set up the right lighting, choose suitable office furniture, add your personal touch, and your garage office is ready to go.
Look at what spaces you have to work with and weigh them against what you want in a writing workstation. Choose the space that best accommodates your list.
Determine the Essentials You Need to Work
Speaking of what you want in a workstation, make sure you have your essentials on this list. In other words, what do you absolutely need to make sure you can work well in the space that you choose?
Essentials you need to write and work in your small space could include:
- Office supplies
- A whiteboard or other message board
- A comfortable, preferably ergonomic chair
- Printer, paper shredder, and any other office hardware
- A sturdy desk tailored to small spaces, like a shelf desk
- Small organizers, bins, or filing cabinets to manage paperwork
Let’s look at a few other things to include in your nook for writing that will ensure you’re using your space wisely for optimal productivity.
2. Make Sure You Have Good Lighting
You can give the illusion of more space with the help of multi-functional furniture and accessories. These pieces serve other purposes outside of their primary functions.
For example, a storage bench can be seating and a place to store office supplies. A wall-mounted folding desk can be folded up onto the wall once you’re done using it. A shelf floor lamp, duty box wardrobe, and a 360° rotating side table could be useful in a small office space too.
Find furniture and accessories that can serve multiple purposes so that you can get full use of your writing workstation without cluttering it up.
2. Make Sure You Have Good Lighting
One of the most important elements in your workspace is the lighting. Anyone working from home needs good lighting to:
- Stave off health issues like eye strain, migraines, and visual problems
- Enhance concentration, focus, and accuracy in your work
- Set a happy, positive mood and improve the aesthetic of your office
- Make sure it’s safe to move around in your space
Natural lighting is ideal in your writing workspace. Not only is it bright and welcoming, but it also boosts your vitamin D levels, energy, and overall productivity. You can supplement natural light with artificial lighting that allows you to adjust brightness to fit the mood you’re going for.
3. Include What Will Inspire High Creativity and Commitment
One of the best benefits of a dedicated writing space is its ability to inspire high creativity and commitment.
You have a real space to work in that helps you carve out a writing and work routine. Aside from writing, it’s a place to continuously learn, something so important to a freelancer’s success. A dedicated workspace also brings out your creativity.
The secret is to include items and to decorate in a way that will inspire high creativity and commitment. This will be different for everyone. For example, you may need to hang motivational wall art above your desk. Another person may need houseplants and an incense fountain to get in their zone.
Make sure you have everything you need to ensure seamless practical use of a small space for writing. But make sure you have the things you need to feel creative and committed too.
What If You Live With Roommates?
All of the above are easier to carry out when you’re living alone. But what about if you have roommates? Setting up a nook for writing will be a little bit different if you’re living with roommates because you’ll need to respect everyone’s preferences and privacy.
One of the first steps you can take is deciding on a space to create your writing workstation together. Everyone can toss their ideas into the conversation. Then, you all can go on a tour around the house weighing the pros and cons of each option before making a final decision.
Setting ground rules is also a good idea. Talk about your work hours, your freelancing habits, and any other boundaries you’d like your roommates to respect when you’re working.
Finally, be flexible, and if any issues arise, don’t let them linger. Solve them quickly to ensure you can continue working and your roommates can remain comfortable with the living arrangement.
Conclusion
All freelance writers can benefit from a dedicated writing space. You can enhance your productivity and creativity, boosting your overall success as a freelancer.
Even small spaces can be transformed into functional workstations for writing with the help of multi-functional furniture and accessories, great lighting, room for essentials, and all that will inspire creativity and commitment.
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