Having a pleasant working environment is essential to maximum productivity. You are less likely to get things done in a cluttered and unattractive workspace. Research actually shows that clutter can decrease productivity, which is not ideal for a space with is meant to be dedicated to working.
Whether you have a home office or a dedicated area in a larger, corporate office, we have some tips to help you spruce up your working environment to get to motivated, even on those days where you feel you have fallen into a slump.
So how can you improve your workspace quickly and without too much cost? We spoke to interior design experts at The Wood Works to answer all your office-based décor questions!
Lighting
When it comes to productivity, lighting is of such importance. It can be extremely hard to concentrate in a dark and dingy room. The right lighting can keep you alert and focussed as well as inspired to get creative. The wrong lighting can give you eye-strain, headaches and overall it can produce a depressive attitude.
If you work in a company office you probably do not have that much control over the lighting situation. However, you bring your own for your desk or personal office space within the larger office. Consider using natural light bulbs or a light therapy device.
If you work from home, you have full reigns over the type of lighting. If you work during set hours during the day you should make use of the natural light as much as possible. On dark, cloudy or stormy days make use of lamps in a variety of different areas around the room.
Clutter
For creativity to occur you need to have a clean and clear working environment. “A cluttered room is a cluttered mind,” your mother or father may have said to you at one point. Avoid stress and poor mental health by cleaning up the mess!
If working in a company office, whilst you cannot control the general cleanliness, you can make sure your designated space is clear from wrappers, old coffee cups and unnecessary paperwork. File things where they need to go so that you can have them to hand for a more organised workspace.
When working from a home office, there is a potential for your whole house or flat to be a distraction. If you can afford to, consider hiring a professional cleaning service to help keep your home clean. If you cannot or would rather save money, you should aim to dedicate a specific day and time to clean your home – that way, the clutter won’t be an excuse to procrastinate. You could spend just 10 minutes each day decluttering your area and other rooms or even get a load of washing started, which can be done whilst you are hard at work.
Use Colours
Colours can have a powerful effect on our mood and how we feel in general. A study from The University of Texas showed that white, grey and beige lead to depression and boredom for employees, whereas blue and green are said to be stimulants and encourage productivity.
If working from an office, put a few things on your desk that are a particular colour which inspires you and puts you in the right mood.
In a home office, you will obviously have more control over the colours which are around you. As an office design can impact your mood, and colour can make a big difference between a successful workday and hours spent browsing Facebook or daydreaming, consider repainting a wall, adding artwork or changing up the colour of your furniture.
