Where and how you work has a bearing on the fruits of your labor. So this weekend, why not take a look at your workspace and try to revamp it to suit your needs?
“It’s easy to handle work when you have a workspace that’s suited to your needs,” says Tripti Mathema, an interior designer. “Every time I want to get organized and inspired, I clean out my workspace. It just makes me more productive.”[break]
Mathema believes that the key to being efficient lies in the details of the workplace. A better workspace will make you want to put in that extra effort while a messy one will zap your energy. “If you have to keep searching for things every now and then, you just get distracted and lose your focus,” she says.
Decorating a workspace at home can be tricky. First, you have to choose the way the office will feel. If you go for a homey environment, chances are you won’t be able to concentrate on work. If you choose a very professional setup, then that just beats the purpose of having it inside the confines of your home.
It’s very easy to fall into the trap of focusing on the ‘office’ part and neglecting the aspects that say ‘home.’ But you can make this space as stylish and comfortable as every other room in your home by bringing in essentials and accessories with character. Connecting professionalism with coziness, you can ensure a good work atmosphere.
Photo Courtesy: Arjun Shah
With tips from Mathema, The Week tells you how to create the perfect workspace.
The basics
First and foremost, choose the right location for your workstation. It should ideally be by a window so that you have enough light. Choose the furniture depending on the space you have. But keeping it to a minimum is always advisable. Make sure you have enough storage space as well. If you need color to find inspiration for your work, why not go all out for a bold, contrasting color scheme? Stick to one main shade, then use two to three accent shades for the best effects.
“But if you want a busy space to feel less so, it’s important to choose a calming color scheme and coordinate it as much as possible, from wall colors right through to accessories,” says Mathema.
Office essentials
Get all your essential accessories for your work desk. A table clock, a visiting card holder and pen stand are absolute must-haves. You can’t have your workspace looking drab and dry. Add a bit of quirkiness with interesting accessories. Don’t neglect your style-hunting instincts. Allow one statement piece into your office, whether it’s an unusual chair, a curvaceous desk, or an eye-catching accessory. Also, we spend a third of our day sitting at a desk either in our offices or at home. That’s why it’s so important to find the most comfortable office chair available to keep those nagging backaches at bay. “Look for a sturdy chair with a straight back,” suggests Mathema.
Organized mess
Separate and manage your important documents, papers and stationery with specially designed products. It’s a great way of eliminating clutter and keeping your mess under control. Make sure you have enough storage space for your magazines and books. Get a nice, trendy looking magazine rack or bookcase; something that’s functional as well as aesthetic.
“You can manage clutter and make it look beautiful with simple tricks that don’t take much time and effort,” says Mathema.
We tend to forget about vertical space. Use above-desk shelves for binders, boxes and files. You can get really chic-looking ones in different colors and designs. This way, you can even file your papers according to category. Your most-used papers should be filed within reach of your desk, in a file drawer or a folder. Put long-term stuff in a file box with a label in a nearby closet or on a shelf. Take the time to create a good system and you’ll save time in the long run.
Get inspired
Set out photos of your loved ones if doing so motivates you. But don’t go overboard.
“Watch how many photos and inspirational things you have. After a while, you don’t see them and it becomes distracting,” says Mathema. You can also opt to put up family photos on a bulletin board, along with mementos and inspirational photos. “There’s no rule about what you can have, as long as it all looks tidy,” she says. To-do reminders are fine for a bulletin board, but again, don’t cross the line into clutter.
You can also add a magnetic board to create an ultimate memo board. You can make, find and buy tons of wall art. It’s an easy and quick way to add personality and color to any boring office nook. If you want to keep all sorts of clippings at hand but don’t want them crowding the bulletin board, try creating a clothesline-style way of hanging those random tidbits. Simply hang a length of rope above your desk and you can use paper clips or even clothespins to display notes and photos.
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