Ramp up your productivity and refresh your creative workspace this weekend

To be at your best and reach your maximum creative output, you need a place where you’re happy, comfortable and even, dare we say it… excited to work in.

Whether it’s your full time occupation or just a side hustle at weekends and in the evenings, make the most of your weekend and refresh your creative workspace.

We know the temptation of working sprawled out on a sofa, and the trials of balancing a juggling act of computers, laptops, phones, pens and paper in a space that doesn’t quite fit your needs. So take a look through our top tips for affordable and easy ways to create a space that you’ll love to work in. Plus, these easy tips don’t require a whole makeover – they’re easy enough to implement this weekend! So what’s stopping you?

Put inspiration pride of place

A poster or two is an easy and affordable way to keep inspiring thoughts front of mind. When you’re struggling, hit a creative block or need that extra boost, a glance upwards to a motivational quote, a calm destination or an inspiring piece of artwork can be all it takes to get those creative juices flowing.

Take some time out this weekend to find or create some imagery or quotes that make you feel positive, and print them yourself on a Poster, Display Board or even Self-Adhesive Vinyl.

Image credit: LaLa stationery

Organise your bits and bobs

Tidy desk, tidy mind? It’s no lie that an organised desk can help us all feel calmer and more in control. If you’re the kind of person who’s desk resembles a the aftermath of a small earthquake, set yourself 30 minutes this weekend to give it a spring clean.

Invest in smart storage options like pen pots, wire holders and trays so you can get everything where it needs to be. That way, when you sit down to work, everything is in easy reach and you’ll save yourself heaps of time trawling through papers and old documents for the things you really need.

Although, research has shown that a messy space is more conducive to creativity than a tidy one, so if you need to, create two areas to work. A clean and tidy work desk and a messy creative space could be the key for switching between the two modes of work.

Utilise lighting

Wherever you work, whether it’s a home office, creative space or even your garden shed – lighting is key.

Research has proven that lack of natural light can affect our mood, so if your workspace is a little dark, consider a reshuffle to make the most of any natural light. This might mean moving your desk to face out of a window, or rearranging furniture to open your space.

Buy a new chair

No, really. If your chair causes you to slump or harbour bad posture, this could be seriously affecting your output. Whether you work at a computer or at a workbench, the right kind of seat or stool could be key to helping you work smarter. Assess how your seating affects your posture, and if it’s not right, it’s time to hit the shops.

Don’t just consider your chair though, think about your screen or canvas – is it in your eye line? Is it too high? The NHS has some great guidelines for your posture when you work at a desk, so take a look and see if there are any improvements you can make to yours to make sure you’re always working at your best.

Go green!

Offices devoid of pictures, souvenirs or any other distractions are “the most toxic space” you can put a human into, say psychologists in a paper published on Monday, which says workers perform better when household plants are added to workplaces. (source: The Guardian).

While the stripped back Scandinavian, minimalist style has been long favoured as a trendy design option, it could be wreaking havoc on your productivity. Make sure your space is stocked with things to take your attention for when creativity falls. If that’s not the best excuse to raid the plants and cacti section of IKEA this weekend, then we don’t know what is.

Let your space reflect you

Remember, above all this is your space. You’re the only person who has to work in it (unless you share, in which case, we’d suggest consulting your partner(s) in crime before you go overhauling everything), so make sure it reflects everything that makes you, and only you creative. It’s tempting to be drawn in by design magazines and the abundance of creative spaces on our social feeds, but just because it looks great, doesn’t mean it’ll work for you. Really think about the things that make you tick and the creative solutions that are currently working for you and try to implement them into your space.

How do you organise your space? We’d love to see! Tag us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and let us know, or drop us a comment below!