Working from home can be more productive and less distracting, but it can also become a drag if you work in the same environment every day for many years. In time, the simple act of walking into your home office or turning on your computer can fill you with dread.
What steps can you take to make your home workspace more stimulating, so you feel refreshed and energized when sitting down to work?
How to Make Your Home Workspace More Stimulating
On some level, any workspace is eventually going to become dull and uninteresting if you spend enough time in it. If you find your workspace to be inherently unstimulating, it could merely be a byproduct of spending too much time in it. Still, almost any workspace can benefit from the following changes:
1. Paint
One of the easiest things you can do is apply a fresh coat of paint to your workspace. It will instantly give the environment a different feel, and could make your space feel brighter, richer, and even cleaner.Nature-inspired color palettes are in, so consider using soothing earth tones in the realm of green, blue, and brown. Otherwise, simply choose a color that you personally find invigorating.
2. Rearrange the furniture
Another option is rearranging the furniture. You might be surprised to find how much new perspective you can get simply by facing a different direction, looking out a window that was previously inaccessible, or feeling a different flow in the room.
3. Hang art in rotation
Artwork can inspire you. It can amuse you. It can also just hang there and look pretty. But because there are so many different types of art, it’s hard to find a single piece that can do everything. Instead of putting all your eggs in one basket, leave a space on your wall for art and cycle pieces in and out of rotation. It’s a great way to stay fresh.
4. Keep fidget toys nearby
Many people, including healthy adults, find fidget toys to be useful for soothing anxiety and boosting focus. In case you aren’t familiar with these novelties, these are small, typically plastic or metal items that are designed to occupy your hands when you’re trying to focus. Experiment with a few different varieties to see what feels best.
5. Fine tune the music and lighting
As you probably already know, music and lighting can make a big difference in your working environment, so fine tune these elements to create the perfect balance. Smart lights can give you more control over the brightness and color of your surrounding lighting and better speakers can give you much better-quality audio.
6. Get more plants
Nearby plants can improve your mood and boost your productivity. And if you choose the right varieties, you won’t have to spend much time or effort caring for them. If you don’t want to spend any effort caring for living plants, you can splurge on some fake plants that look realistic enough. Real plants are generally better, but fake plants are better than nothing.
7. Make space for movement
You should also consider rearranging your home workspace to allow for more room to move around. Sometimes, environments feel stagnant because we ourselves are stagnant; if you’re stuck sitting in the same chair staring at the same screen all day, you’re going to feel like you’re in a rut. On the other hand, if you take regular breaks throughout the day to walk around, squeeze in some calisthenics, or even just stand at your desk, you’ll naturally feel more energized and more stimulated.
8. Create a plan to change
Finally, remember that part of the stagnation problem comes from a lack of change. Even if you’ve spent a lot of time and money upgrading your home workspace to be more stimulating and interesting, it’s only a matter of time before this environment becomes dull again. Make a plan to revisit your layout and surroundings in the future; for example, you can commit to changing things up six months from now.
Beyond the Home Office
Also, remember that your homework space isn’t the only place that you can work remotely. Occasionally, you should make it a point to work in a less familiar area, such as:
1. The office
Does your business have a physical office? And if so, are you allowed to spend time working there? This could also be a great way to get to know your colleagues better.
2. Coworking spaces
If you have the budget for it, consider subscribing to a coworking space. These spaces typically have everything you need to be successful and they make for great networking.
3. Cafés
Cafés are a cheaper option. For the price of a single drink, you can spend hours enjoying the bustling ambiance and focusing on your most important work.
4. Libraries
If you’re searching for a quieter or less expensive environment, you can work at your local library. Just don’t expect any free coffee.
5. Parks
If you love the great outdoors, consider working at a local park. Some parks even have free Wi-Fi and electrical outlets so you can charge your devices.
With these changes, and occasional ventures to work spaces outside of your home, you should feel much better about your remote work and much more energized in the average workday. Keep monitoring your disposition to make subsequent adjustments as necessary.
Article Submitted By Community Writer
