{"id":139685,"date":"2016-04-22T11:00:57","date_gmt":"2016-04-22T11:00:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/getflywheel.com\/?p=16733"},"modified":"2024-06-30T15:45:46","modified_gmt":"2024-06-30T20:45:46","slug":"four-tips-for-creating-the-perfect-workspace","status":"publish","type":"resource","link":"https:\/\/wpengine.com\/resources\/four-tips-for-creating-the-perfect-workspace\/","title":{"rendered":"4 Tips for Creating the Perfect Workspace"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>As creatives, we draw inspiration from our surroundings. We need to be able to channel our creative energy when we\u2019re working. It\u2019s also true, though, that we need to be able to work effectively while we\u2019re doing all that energetic channeling. If your workspace isn\u2019t set up to allow both exploration and productivity, it\u2019s time for a change.<\/p>\n<p>So what\u2019s a creative professional to do?<\/p>\n<h1>1. Make it comfortable<\/h1>\n<p>One essential for your work environment, whether it\u2019s an office, a coffee shop, a shared coworking space, or anything else, is that it\u2019s comfortable. If you\u2019re physically uncomfortable in your workspace, you\u2019re going to have a hard time getting anything done. Don\u2019t let your office suck the life right out of you. Make sure everything feels good, both physically and mentally.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-16740\" src=\"https:\/\/getflywheel-images.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2016\/04\/creating-perfect-workspace-comfortable.jpg\" alt=\"creating-perfect-workspace-comfortable\" width=\"710\" height=\"450\" \/><\/p>\n<p>That means your desk is big enough for your work style, it hits you at the right height, and your chair (if you use one) is comfortable. If there\u2019s a mat or rug on the floor, it\u2019s not catching your foot or making it tough to maneuver your chair over. You\u2019ve got adequate storage and there\u2019s enough space to move around comfortably. Everything in there works &#8212; there\u2019s no persistent frustration slowly draining your energy.<\/p>\n<h1>2. Give it the right colors<\/h1>\n<p>As a designer, you know that colors tap into people\u2019s feelings and can affect mood and mindset. You\u2019re no different! Pay attention to how color affects you. Is any given shade particularly energizing or distracting to you?<\/p>\n<p>Generally speaking, limit dark or bold colors to accents. Not sure what\u2019s the best (light) hue for you? Scan Pinterest for ideas. And here\u2019s a tip from my 9th-grade Civics teacher: pale pink helps you concentrate better and think more clearly. She would give us blank sheets of pink paper along with our exams for us to work out our answers; now <a href=\"http:\/\/digest.bps.org.uk\/2009\/02\/colours-affect-mental-performance-with.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">studies are showing<\/a> that red does provoke a greater attention to detail. (15 years later, I still keep pink paper on hand for brainstorming and planning. My desk isn\u2019t my desk until there\u2019s some light pink paper within reach.)<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-16741\" src=\"https:\/\/getflywheel-images.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2016\/04\/creating-perfect-workspace-colors.jpg\" alt=\"creating-perfect-workspace-colors\" width=\"710\" height=\"473\" \/><\/p>\n<h1>3. Create some space<\/h1>\n<p>One critical aspect of your office, especially as a designer, is the presence of space. Whether it\u2019s a giant whiteboard on the wall or a shelf loaded with your favorite graph paper and Sharpies, you\u2019ve got some kind of expanse to do your big thinking. Keep your space decluttered enough to function (but not so highly organized that you can\u2019t find anything).<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019ve got any control over the architectural elements in your office, go for a place that has high ceilings and a window that overlooks some kind of landscape. Research shows that <a href=\"http:\/\/www.jstor.org\/stable\/10.1086\/519146?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">high ceilings promote a sense of space and freedom<\/a>, which leaves mental room for thinking and productivity, and that windows overlooking some kind of nature scene (like a landscape or a park) are also good for your mind.<\/p>\n<h1>4. Add personal touches<\/h1>\n<p>An important element of personalizing your workspace is that you\u2019re able to take control of your environment and set it up so you can work the way you want. Doing so will not only make you more efficient and productive (because it\u2019s customized to your needs and wants), but it\u2019ll promote more positive feelings about your workspace.<\/p>\n<p>That means the <a href=\"https:\/\/adobe99u.files.wordpress.com\/2013\/07\/2010+jep+space+experiments.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">furniture is arranged the way you like it<\/a>. Your favorite books are on the shelf. The right pens are in the cup you adore, within arm\u2019s reach. The art and photos you display inspire you and make you feel positively, whether you\u2019re looking at a beautiful abstract painting, a bold, graphic motto, or photos of loved ones. And you\u2019ve brought in your own plants and decorative elements \u2013 ones that make you smile or make your work easier or more interesting.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-16742\" src=\"https:\/\/getflywheel-images.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2016\/04\/creating-perfect-workspace-personal.jpg\" alt=\"creating-perfect-workspace-colors\" width=\"710\" height=\"551\" \/><\/p>\n<h1>Final thoughts on your perfect workspace<\/h1>\n<p>If you aren\u2019t sure what you like in a workspace, don\u2019t worry. Instead, head over to Pinterest and create a board to post pictures of offices, desks, workspaces, studios, and anything else that you find inspiring or intriguing. After you\u2019ve been able to pin a decent amount of images (I\u2019d recommend a minimum of 20) you may be able to look at the whole collection and identify trends or common themes. Use that as inspiration for changes to make in your own office.<\/p>\n<p>Once you begin paying attention to the specific ways your environment can enhance or inhibit your productivity and creativity, you\u2019ll be able to identify and remove the things that are blocking you and set up an awesome workspace for yourself.<\/p>\n<p>What\u2019s one must-have element in your workspace? What\u2019s something you absolutely can\u2019t stand?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As creatives, we draw inspiration from our surroundings. We need to be able to channel our creative energy when we\u2019re working. It\u2019s also true, though, that we need to be able to work effectively while we\u2019re doing all that energetic channeling. If your workspace isn\u2019t set up to allow both exploration and productivity, it\u2019s time<span class=\"tile__ellipses\">&hellip;<\/span><span class=\"tile__ellipses--animated\"><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":419,"featured_media":16735,"template":"","resource-topic":[],"resource-role":[],"resource-type":[916],"class_list":["post-139685","resource","type-resource","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v20.9 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>4 Tips for Creating the Perfect Workspace | WP Engine<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Create the perfect workspace at home or anywhere with these four tips. 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