I've never been entirely comfortable in front of the camera - my left eye is always too squinty and I invariably look like I have a double chin - so the prospect of needing to update all my social media and website photos was a job I'd been putting off for, well, years.

It struck me recently that the photos on my website don't really look like me any more (it's - fortunately - been years since I had long jet black hair)... and also I have no decent photos of my "new" studio space - despite having been in here for six months now.

When I mentioned this to my good friend (and part-time studio assistant), Katy, she offered to take some photos of me and the studio.  I jumped at the offer - Katy's a really talented wedding and portrait photographer when she's not helping me - and I really love her natural and relaxed style of photography.

The whole experience was actually quite good fun - I didn't quite shake the inevitable awkwardness of having a camera pointed in my face, but we had a laugh... and the results are fabulous, really capturing the feel of my workspace - even the ones of me don't make me cringe too much!  Also, how good am I at gazing into middle distance...?

Katy has also taken some lovely flat lay photos for me to use, featuring various products - I'm so excited to finally have a more cohesive brand image!  Now all I need to do is to actually put them to use, and get all my different selling platforms and social media accounts updated.  The biggest trouble I'm going to have is actually choosing which ones to use!

So, you've made the decision... you want to move your business out of your home (read more about when I made that decision here).  Now the fun starts... you can look around some workspaces.  But how on earth do you decide which one is - or isn't - right for you?

Here is a whole heap of things you might want to consider when you've had a look at a potential workspace.  I'd always recommend taking someone you trust along with you too - they might be more critical and spot things you don't!  Gut feeling is important - and don't ignore that - but you also need to take into account some practical considerations:
 
Access
This is your number one concern - can you get there?  I'm super-lucky, I live a ten minute walk from the thriving Baltic Triangle in Liverpool, where there are so many options for studio and office space.  It may be you're in an area where there are less options, but do your research - chat to other creatives (join an Etsy team perhaps), check out listing sites (try Gumtree as well as local arts-based websites) and look out for local creative Facebook groups too.

• Is it easy to get to from your home?
• Is there suitable parking and/or public transport?  Are there any parking restrictions?
• Do you know anyone else in the area?
• Are there any access restrictions or can you come and go 24/7?
• Will deliveries or postal collections be an issue?
• Is there a lift (if it’s upstairs)?  Who else uses this lift?
• Is the entrance safe, well lit etc?  Will you feel safe letting yourself in in the dark?

 
Money
Rent varies throughout the country - I'd make sure you've looked at a few different options if possible, to make sure you are being charged a fair amount for your rent.  It's probably the number one reason why people put off moving into a studio space - your rent has to be affordable for you, even at quieter times of the year, otherwise you will just be stressing about paying it each month.

• Is the rent affordable?  Think about if your profit goes down at all, is it still affordable?
• Does it include any bills (internet, gas, electricity etc)?
• Is it a fixed term contract?  Are you able to terminate the contract if you need to?  How much notice do you need to give?
• You may need to get legal advice before signing a binding contract.  How much is this going to cost?
• Do you need your own insurance or is this included?  Get an insurance quote if necessary.
• Are consumables like toilet paper, hand soap, bin bags included?
• Is there a kitty for milk, teabags etc?
• What extra furniture will you need to buy to make it workable?
• How much will it cost to move there?  Will you need to hire a van or pay anyone to help?

 
The Space
There's no point moving into a space that you won't fit into - it's just going to cause you stress and will probably not last long.  Make sure that the basic space is adequate and that it is suitable for the forseeable future - moving is a stressful business!

• Is there enough space for all your equipment and stock?
• Is it secure?  If not can you add any extra security?
• Is there heating?  Try and visit on a colder day and spend a bit of time there to check how the temperature is.
• Is there a window (if you are a hot person like me)?  Likewise, try and visit on a sunny day – what’s the temperature like?
• Is it suitable for what you do (eg is there ventilation?)
• What are the arrangements for postal deliveries and collections?
• Would you be able to expand in the future?

 
Light and Power
Daylight is super-important to me.  I didn't realise until I'd spend three years in a space with no natural light, getting gradually grumpier and grumpier.  If you are out and about going to meetings and visiting clients it may not be so important to you, but it's worth considering.

• Is there daylight?
• If not, are there enough lights, or will you able to light the space adequately?
• Will you need to supply blinds or window coverings yourself?
• Have you been to have a look when it’s dark too?
• Are there enough power points?
• Are the sockets in the right place for you?

 
Noise
I'm pretty sensitive to noise - but other people like a bit of chatter going on around them.  Have a think about your own tolerance and what you can and can't put up with.  There's nothing worse than being in a space you struggle to work in because of your neighbour's noisy power tools.

• Can you make a noise if you need to (meetings, chatting, machinery etc)?
• Is there anyone else likely to be making a noise in the vicinity?
• Do you have privacy for making phone calls if necessary?
• Can you play your own music if you want to?

 
Facilities
Sometimes it's easy to overlook really obvious things; make sure you are happy with the toilet arrangements in particular, specially if you are going to be spending all day at work!

• What’s the bin situation?
• Are there recycling facilities?
• What are the toilet arrangements?
• Do you have access to a kitchen (is there a microwave, kettle, toaster etc)?
• Is there a private meeting area?  Who else uses this, and how is it booked?
• What is the wi-fi like?  Ask other residents, is it reliable?  Is it fast enough?  Take your laptop and give it a go?

 
People
I've always worked in spaces which are - at least in part - shared.  It works well for me as I like to have a bit of company from time to time.  However you might decide you need privacy and you don't want to share your space... it's worth looking at both options before you make a decision.

• Is there a communal area?
• Who are you sharing with?
• Have you met them?  Do you like them?
• Do they work similar hours to you?  What do they do?
• Would you still be okay if the people you share with changes over time?
• Do you have friends nearby that you can meet for lunch if you wanted to?

 
Landlord
Having a good relationship with your landlord is really important.  I prefer a landlord to be pretty hands-on and present, so you can ask them about niggly things as and when they arise.

• Is the landlord on site?
• How has communication with the landlord been so far? Are they easy to get hold of?
• Does the landlord seem proactive?  Are they listening to your questions?
• Do you like the landlord?

So that's the kind of think I'd look at - and so far I've been really lucky and have had largely good experiences with my workspaces.  There's definitely that added element of "does it feel right?" - very much like when you buy a house.

Is there anything else you'd recommend looking out for when you've been looking for a studio space?

Moving out of my house into a shared studio was one of the best things I did – for my sanity and my business.  It shifted my work-life balance and made everything work much better for me.
 
Until I gave up my day job it made perfect sense to work from home.  It was cost-efficient and saved me time in commuting.
 
However once I’d taken the plunge and was doing this thing full-time it became apparent that there were a few massive down-sides to this arrangement.
 
Firstly, I was lonely as hell.  I live on my own, and I was going for days without seeing anyone.  The lady in the post office really doesn’t count (although by the end of my first month working from home, she knew all about me).  When I did see people I’d do this crazy jabbering thing, talking about a million miles an hour.  It’d take people a good half an hour to get a word in edgeways.  One of my main reasons for keeping the day job for so long was because I know I’d miss having human company!
 
Secondly, I wasn’t getting any exercise.  At all.  It’s easy to forget about the kind of incidental exercise you get simply by walking around an office, or from your car to your desk, in a day job.  I was literally opening my bedroom door and walking ten steps to my desk.  I’d have a trip to the Post Office most days, but I found a Post Office with parking right outside – those sacks are heavy, and I didn’t fancy lugging them down the street.  I put on so much weight in those first few months.
 
Thirdly, I was working ALL THE TIME.  Like from 7 or 8am until 10pm every night.  There was no cut off.  And if I did decide to finish at 6pm, it was only too easy to nip back into the studio to look at something, and realise three hours later that I’d accidentally started working again.
 
Finally, I didn’t have an actual spare room as it was full of my work stuff (the bed had been moved out of there a few years previously to make more space for shelves).  All my immediate family live at least a 2.5 hour drive away, so if they were going to come and see me they’d normally stay over, and I could only offer them the sofa.  Which is less than ideal, really.
 
It became apparent after about six weeks that my situation wasn’t working, and something had to change.
 
I’m often asked “when do you know it’s the right time to get a studio?” - I think that anyone asking that question is close to knowing it’s the right time!  If you’ve thought about it, you’ve maybe done a bit of research, and you’re weighing up the pros and cons, then you’re ready to move.

Once I’d made the decision it was pretty straightforward, and I was lucky enough to find a nearby shared studio that was reasonably-priced - I’ve written more about finding the studio space that's right for you here.
 
Whether it’s to give you extra space, to create separation from work, give yourself a routine, or simply to have some human company, it is a big decision.  But – in my opinion – it’s absolutely worth the hassle of moving everything, coupled with the extra expense of renting another space.  It made me so much more productive.  No more doing the washing up in the middle of the morning, no more friends popping round for an unannounced cup of tea, and absolutely HAVING to get dressed every day!

Are you struggling with knowing when to make the move?  Or have you recently taken the plunge?  I'd love to hear your experiences!