Redesign your workspace with these scientifically proven desk organisation ideas to improve focus, creativity, and productivity, as recommended by leading productivity experts!
Working from home is no longer a foreign concept to most people – especially given recent events. However, if you’re new to the work-from-home lifestyle, it may seem like an impossible task to stay on track and remain productive given all the many distractions. Here are some proven ways you can redesign your workspace to ensure that you’re just as productive and efficient at home as you are when you’re in the office!
Surround Yourself With Nature
As biological creatures, it is important for our psychological and physiological functioning to connect with the natural world. Studies have actually shown that live plants, whether they’re part of your office decor or visible through a nearby window, can reduce stress, elevate mood, and increase productivity by 15 per cent. So remember to keep your shades open, let the fresh air in, and ensure that you have an unobstructed view of the natural world to ensure a positive work environment. If you can’t see anything natural out of your window, then consider making a few additions to your workspace, such as incorporating potted plants or a tabletop water fountain into your workplace design, or by simply taking your breaks outside.
Insider’s Tip: If you haven’t naturally got a green thumb, we’d suggest starting with Devil’s Ivy, Peace lily, or a trusty cactus.
Choose Your Colours Wisely
It’s a well-known fact that colours really do make all the difference when it comes to influencing moods and behaviours. Research has shown that each primary colour affects a different part of us; the body (red), the mind (blue), emotions (yellow), and lastly, the essential balance between the mind, body, and emotions (green). Known to stimulate the mind and aid concentration, blue is one of the most commonly used colours in the workplace, and, when added with a few accents of green, will engender an overall sense of balance and calm – the perfect combination to turn your workspace into a productivity machine.
Insider’s Tip: Eager to transform your workspace but reluctant to commit to painting an entire wall? Consider hanging a piece of artwork or adding personalised trinkets to your desk to surround your workspace with the right colours and boost productivity, instead!
Invest in Ergonomic Furniture
You’ll probably be unsurprised to hear that people usually perform better and report increased productivity levels when they’re working in a comfortable environment. Since several aspects can affect this including temperature, lighting, and furniture, a smart and essential investment for a home office is ergonomic furniture – a scientific and functional way of design that optimises both efficiency and comfort. Not only will this boost your productivity levels, but also prevent common computer-related injuries such as lower back pain and tendinitis, an inflammation or irritation of a tendon.
Insider’s Tip: If you’re looking to invest in the best, we highly recommend the Herman Miller Embody Chair. However, if you’re looking for something on the more affordable side, we recommend you start with an ergonomic accessory such as an Ergonomic Innovations footrest, available on Amazon.
You might also like 6 Simple Ways To Stay Organised When Working From Home
Correct Your Workspace Lighting
As sensitive beings, subtle changes in our environment, such as with lighting or temperature, can heavily affect and impede our focus levels. Studies have shown that blue lights help us stay focused and alert, resulting in many offices incorporating them into their design in a bid to improve daytime performance. It’s important too to prevent problems commonly associated with bad lighting such as migraines, eye discomfort, and fatigue, by opening up the windows and doors to let as much natural light into your workspace as possible. It’s also worth investing in a desk lamp with cool white bulbs as this will keep you alert, focused, whilst improving productivity.
Insider’s Tip: Purchase some colour-changing smart lights for an easy transition from that work mindset back to the comfort of your home. We recommend the ‘Philips Hue’s White and Color Ambiance Starter Kit’, available on Amazon. And if you’re having trouble sleeping after work, why not read our article on 5 sleep products that actually work?
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Invest in an Extra Screen Monitor
While plenty manage to carry out their tasks using only one screen, The New York Times reports that investing in a dual monitor would allow you to accomplish the same tasks much quicker, increasing productivity levels by a whopping 20-30 per cent. Not only does the second screen allow for smoother transitions between documents and tabs, improved user experience and provide easier methods of referencing and comparison, but it also speeds up processes like cutting and pasting, image and video editing, and programming. Beware though, some have complained that a dual monitor can bring about the undesired knock-on effect of making you distracted.
Insider’s Tip: For overall best value, we suggest going for the Acer CB242Y, it boasts multiple features and a fully ergonomic design. Available on Amazon.
Improve Your Focus With Aromatherapy
In the same way that your workplace’s colour and lighting affects your mood and productivity, so too do the scents. Researchers have found that certain fragrances can lift our moods, boost memory, reduce stress and improve cognitive function, proving that aromatherapy is a simple and effective way to improve concentration, focus, and productivity levels in the workplace and at home.
Transform your mood and productivity by incorporating these scents into your workspace:
Pine – Increases alertness and reduces stress
Cinnamon – Improves focus, memory, and cognitive function
Lavender – Relieves stress and tension
Peppermint – Increases concentration and energy levels
Lemon – Calms your mind and decreases anxiety
Insider’s Tip: We’d recommend purchasing the Ultimate Aromatherapy Diffuser & Essential Oil Set by Pure Daily Care, which includes 10 different essentials and 7 ambient light settings. Available on Amazon.
Stay Comfortable with Optimal Temperatures
It can be difficult to concentrate if you’re struggling with a heatwave or feeling a little too cold for your liking. Temperature, therefore, can play a significant role in your productivity. In fact, it’s not uncommon for offices to have daily debates about what the ideal temperature is – according to the BBC, 2% of office hours in the UK are wasted on discussing how warm the office should be. The good news is, if you’re working at home on your own, you have the power to adjust your environment and optimise the temperature to your liking.
Insider’s Tip: If you’re working in a warm environment, it’s important to have fresh and cool air in your workplace. Check out this ideal tower fan to provide the room with proper airflow on hot days. Alternatively, if it’s too cold, consider turning up the thermostat by a few degrees or investing in more insulation.
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