10 Ways to Give Your Workspace a Spring Makeover

With the amount of time we young professionals spend at our office, our spaces should feel more like a home away from home than our actual workplace. An office should be a comfortable, stimulating zone that inspires us, and after this long and arduous winter, most of us are due for an office revamp. Whether you work from home, or at your office, there are a few quick and easy ways you can revitalize and update your workspace.

1. De-clutter and get organized
Get rid of all of the junk. File what needs to be filed and keep one small pile on hand of what is pending for the week. Discard of pens that don’t work, display only a couple, and be consistent with the brand and colours you use to keep your space from looking junky. Filing cabinets are vital for organization, so if you don’t already have one and can’t seem to find the space, sliding a small filing cabinet under your desk can help to straighten out all documents. Using sleek and coordinating storage boxes is another great way to manage all of that clutter.

2. Make it your own
Make your desk your own. Fill it with things that make you smile and keep your space feeling like you own it. Personalized stationary, a beautiful mug, specialty pens, candles and paperweights all add special charm to everyday work tools and items.

3. DIY chalkboard
Chalkboard paint is now available in any colour and allows you to turn virtually any interior surface into an easy-to-clean chalkboard. Creating a chalkboard calendar, a space for your to do list, or an inspiration board are all great ways to keep you motivated.

4. Create a personal post-it board
Use out of the ordinary materials to create an idea board. Wire netting, old wooden planks and an ornately framed corkboard are all great foundations to fill with notes, ideas and things that make you smile.

5. Be consistent with a colour scheme
Keep colors bright and consistent to set right the tone and feel for the room.

6. Reinvent your light
Lighting can alter our brain chemistry and affect our moods. The more daylight present, the higher your serotonin levels will be and the better your mood, but if you do not have the option of natural light, adding a small table lamp with warmer illumination can counteract any harsh, fluorescent lighting where you work.

7. Add life
Plants improve your mood, the air quality and add a cozy ambiance. Greenery is said to wake up a room, clean the air and create a calming effect. Whether you have a house plant or fresh flowers, a few plants can create a welcoming feeling to any space.

8. Choose a scent
Smell is the most powerful of the five senses and can greatly affect our mood. It can bring back memories and change how we feel in the moment. Lavender is a soothing scent that relaxes our body, reduces stress and puts our minds to rest. Peppermint can enhance awareness and increase alertness, and Rosemary is thought to boost brain performance and strengthen our memory. From natural plants, plug-ins, scent diffusers and sprayers, there are many products that can be purchased to change the scent of your workspace.

9. Think outside of the office
Don’t just fill shelves with work-related belongings; fill them with things you admire. Buy eccentric office supplies, use heirlooms, or frequent antique shops to find vanity trays, charming glasses or vases as pencil holders and decorative dishes as paper clip holders.

10. Use your space wisely
If you work from home and don’t have the space for a full office, use your space wisely by creating a “work area” in an unconventional spot in your household. Place a desk under your staircase, create a nook in a closet, or push a long table along the back of a couch to establish a zone that you can designate as your working area.

#LYNL | (Live Your Notable Life)

 

Cover image from: UltraLinx.com

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