Plants, Plants, Plants
Living things instantly create a homey, happier workspace. If you don’t have a green thumb – and before resorting to fake plants – try a collection of drought-tolerant cacti. Forgetting about them is actually good for the plant since they only need to be watered a drop or two once every week or so. If you’re feeling a little more adventurous, try a hardy spider or jade plant.
Good-bye Clutter!
If you’re a neat and organized person, you can skip this tip. However, if you’re like most, you’ll need a bit of guidance in getting organized. First, take a few days to devote to dealing with your clutter. It may feel like you’re being unproductive – since you likely have more pressing work to do – but it will definitely pay off in the long run. After you’ve got the bulk of the mess whittled down, take a few minutes at the end of each day to organize the clutter that has accumulated on your desk. File items as you deal with them, and avoid the habit of piling them in the ‘to be filed’ basket, which just keeps growing and growing. Keep everything well organized in file folders and use baskets or a cabinet to organize them efficiently.
Lights!
If you’re lucky enough to have a large window in your office, enjoy the sunlight! Open your blinds or curtains in the afternoon to let some of the sun’s wholesome rays into your workplace. If you have a small window – or no window at all – buy a couple of lamps for those times when you just can’t stand the fluorescent lights any longer. Even if you leave the overhead light on, the lamps will provide a pool of soft light.
Pictures and Photos
A few photos of loved ones will make you smile a few times throughout the day but leave the rowdy, wild pictures at home! Even better, laminate some of your favourite projects and hang them up to create personal wall hangings. The colour of your walls has an impact on your mood and can also affect your level of productivity. Choose reds if you yearn for fame and blues if you need to calm down.
Feng Shui
This Chinese art of channeling positive energy has become quite popular among office decorators. Some basic feng shui tips include having a wall behind you for support, make sure you sit facing the door and keep your work area clean and clutter free. If you think Feng Shui might be for you, grab one of many books available for an in-depth look at this fascinating subject.
Comfy Chair
Since you likely spend most of your day sitting, it’s definitely worthwhile to invest in a great chair. After all, if you’re uncomfortable, you’ll have a hard time concentrating on your work. Of course, don’t get a chair that’s too comfortable or you’ll end up sleeping the day away! It’s best to test out a few models to see what works for you. Make sure you choose a chair that will give you good back support.
From the Bottom Up
Look down. What’s under your feet right now? Is it cold, hard cement? Imagine how much better it would be if you had a cozy carpet under your feet. Put one under your desk so your feet are resting on something soft. By making your work place more comfortable, your body will say thank you and your efficiency will be much improved. Instead of looking around your office with a feeling of dread and despair, you will be able to look ahead to tomorrow and enjoy a more comfortable environment.
