8 Ways to Decorate Your Desk and Increase Productivity
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Sometimes it can be hard to get up and get motivated for work but it becomes a lot easier when you have a beautiful home office. A stylish and organized home office (or a really great office chair) can increase creativity and productivity. Think about it: air-purifying plants, abundant sunlight, comfy furniture, a decluttered desktop, and inspiring colors and art. The star of the home office is the desk. Whether you have a tiny space, a corner, or an entire room, these 8 tips can be used to elevate your desk and through that, your work life.
Embrace the Plant Life
With natural light comes plants. Hang them above your desk, place large plants on either side of your desk to frame it, set trailing ones on your shelving, or get a cute succulent tray for your desktop. Plants have many positive properties. They purify the air and can reduce anxiety. A 2014 study found that having plants in your office can increase productivity by 15%.
I recommend easy to care for, low light plants like a ZZ, Snake plant, or Dracaena to frame your desk or fill a corner. To hang or trail from shelves I recommend any form of Pothos (Golden, Marble Queen, N’ Joy) or a Brasil or Neon Philodendron. Terrariums can also be a fun way to add personality to your desk. I love Marimo moss balls. All you have to do is submerge it in a jar and change out the water occassionally.
Hang a Calendar
I love a giant calendar. Hang one above your desk as a bold, colorful focal point that also keeps you on track. Calendars are a straightforward yet effective way to keep you productive and utilize every hour of your day.
Organizational Containers
Do you have an excess of sticky notes, paper, pens and pencils, snacks and the like? Too much clutter can clutter your mind. By staying organized, you can reduce your stress and make yourself feel more in control. Desk organizers are a great way to keep your mail, paper clips, and tape separated all in one area. I like to keep on the lookout for cute cups or mugs that I can utilize as a pen and pencil holder. Tiny glass containers are great for tacks, magnets and paperclips. Lastly, file sorters are great for… well… file sorting but now they come in cute designs and colors. Pair them with some cute file folders and organizing will be way more fun.
Cork, Magnet and White Boards Oh My!
Cork, magnet and white boards can serve a multitude of uses. If you are the type that needs to be constantly reminded of tasks and meetings, use the boards to hang reminders, affirmations, and write notes. If you are like me and want to be inspired, instead use the area to hang cards, art, quotes, or photos. Heck, just turn it into a vision board! Either way this is a good way to clear your desktop of clutter.
Utilize Natural Light
I think those of us in London understand very well the need for light as our winters can be devoid of it. Natural light is very important for your work space. It increases morale, work performance, and productivity and can make you feel more calm. Place your desk near or in front of a window and soak in the benefits. Frame the window with white curtains to keep your space feeling bright. If you are having issues with glare, use sheer curtains to diffuse the light or anti-glare window film. If your office lacks natural light then a light therapy lamp can make a world of difference on your energy and morale.
Create Levels with Shelving
If you have a smaller desk, shelving and layering is a great way to create more space. Use a monitor shelf to create an additional layer of storage, make your desktop feel more clear, and keep your neck from feeling strained. Hang shelves above your desk and place plants, organizers, and inspirational material. Have a lot of reference materials? Place bookshelves on either side of the desk to house them.
Establish a Color Palette
Never underestimate the power of color. The right palette can increase productivity and calm or stimulate your brain. If you tend to feel stressed, blue may be the color for you, as it has a calming effect. Yellow is a color that stimulates and evokes positivity and energy. If you need to be focused, brown is a warm, soothing tone. To spark creativity, I recommend shades of pink.
Don’t Forget a Lamp
Although natural lighting is important to your work space, sometimes it isn’t possible, it isn’t enough, or it just simply gets dark out. A good lamp can prevent eye strain especially when it comes to the fine print. There are so many desk lamps out there that are cute and serve a multitude of functions. Lamps now can serve as wireless chargers or have USB ports in the side. To aid with blue light issues, get a bulb like Helia.
