Freelance Offices of FreelanceSwitch Readers – 2012

Where a freelancer does his or her job is important. Some people prefer to work outside of their homes while others try to create a home office that gives them some space to be creative.

We recently asked our readers to send us photos of their home office to see where the magic happens. As you will see, no two offices are the same—and why should they be! We received photos from people who are freelance writers, designers, and web developers from around the world. Let’s see where our readers are working, shall we?

Henrik Eklund: Sweden

We love the natural light and gorgeous view of Henrik’s office. He has been a website designer and developer since 2004, running AO Media. Some freelancers might find it hard to work with such a view—but not me! Lucky guy…

Wayne Latham: Nevada

Wayne Latham runs WayLay Design out of his home in Nevada. We love the custom-made wall mounted wrap around desk and standing workstation. Sometimes it’s good to think on your feet—and Wayne has created a home office where he can stand up or sit down.

Michelle and Christopher Schulp: Illinois

This husband and wife team run Marktime Media out of their home in Illinois. Michelle is a graphic designer while Christopher is a videographer and certified Glidecam operator. The TV monitor in the middle can swivel to face each work station. What you don’t see is the giant walk-in closet that houses the rack-mounted computer and audio equipment, the sound booth, and video equipment.

Simon Ungefehr: Germany

In contrast to the previous home office, Simon’s workspace is minimal. Owner of ApproxArt, Simon says he prefers working in a manageable and tidy environment where only his most essential work equipment is on his desk for use.

Valerie Parizeault: Quebec

Valerie, a web and graphic designer, is the owner of Rose Flash located in Quebec, Canada. Her “girly office,” as she calls it, comes complete with Tokyo the cat! Having pets in your home office can be a great benefit. I think the colors of her office are soothing, and I wish I could be as organized!

Will Regal: West Virginia

This is Will’s temporary freelance office in the basement of his mother’s home in West Virginia. In January, Will’s mother began a chemo regimen and he relocated from his south Florida home to hers to be with her. Odds and ends have helped him turn a simple computer desk into a functioning, productive studio! As Will shows us, a home office doesn’t have to be state-of-the-art or even have matching furniture to be useful.

Kat Tate: Australia

Kat, a freelance copywriter, is another one of those freelancers who prefers to work in an area with lots of natural light. Her workstation looks out onto a leafy street and her all-white office helps bounce the natural light from the window throughout the room.

Mirabai Knight-Lascoutx: New York

Mirabai is a real-time stenographer for deaf and hard of hearing college students. His business, StenoKnight CART Services, is located in his New York home. He packs a lot of technology into a small space! I particularly like the cork boards on the wall.

Alison Monday: Wisconsin

Alison’s home office is tucked neatly into a corner. She utilizes IKEA furniture and accessories to organize her web design and development business. I love the bold colors of those orange boxes on the shelves!

Melanie Brooks: Maine

I didn’t think this post would be complete without sharing a photo of my home office. Missing is Miles the Chihuahua who is usually curled in his bed under my desk. I just put the gauzy curtains up to help soften the light, as I get a ton of it from this south-facing window. There’s still some work to be done (like putting some cork boards on the walls, thanks to Mirabai’s inspiration) but it’s coming along.

Thank you to everyone who submitted photos of their home offices. It’s really a treat to see how people use their different work spaces to their advantage! Perhaps some of these offices will give you inspiration for your own space.