6 Tips for a Study Haven
It’s a worrying time for everyone right now and the safest place to be is at home.
You may not have worked from home before but it has quickly become the new norm and your well being is first and foremost. Here are some tips on creating your study area which will help you transform whatever space you have into a happy place where you can get some serious work done.
Claim your space
To help you to be your best at work, you need a space that’s away from any noise and distractions. If you’re lucky enough to have a spare bedroom or even a garden shed (let’s hope it’s heated!), then it's much easier to achieve a good work/life balance if you can shut the door on the place where you work.
Your work space doesn’t need to be huge, just so long as there’s enough room for you to function easily. If you don't have a room to spare, then you can try sectioning off part of a quiet living room or dining room table. Use a screen, open shelving or a room divider to separate the space. If you like DIY, get creative by attaching three panels of MDF together using hinges then decorating with stylish wallpaper or paint it using stencils. There are room dividers you can buy with built-in shelves which kills two birds as they say ..
Plan the practicalities
The whole point of creating an office is a space to really work in. Once you’ve cleared the room out, think about your desk placement, will it have a view? Think about how you intend to do your filing, are you mostly paperless or will you need to buy storage? Think about additional plug sockets and lighting, can you hide the extension leads or do you need an electrician? These days we are mostly paperless and can have freestanding desks with a minimal look but you may need a lot of storage for files and require a desk with drawers or tall shelving. Set yourself a budget and once you know exactly what you need, you can start searching for the products you want.
Choose your colour scheme
If your room needs a refresh, then nothing is crisper and cleaner than white. There are so many shades pf white as well as pale pastels which will instantly make the whole space feel lighter and in turn boost productivity. If you do want colour to keep your creativity flowing, consider painting one wall a bolder colour whilst keeping your space light and airy. A strong blue promotes clear thought, softer blues help calm the mind and aid concentration. Warmer bright colours like yellow and orange, help spark creativity and energy. Keep in mind that adding textures such as fur and velvets help bring a feeling of warmth to cooler shades and alternatively, sleek shiny surfaces can cool down warmer shades.
Add a little motivation
The aim here is to keep your space uncluttered and organised to keep you calm and focussed. A mood board to frame items that truly inspire you is a great idea. You can include postcards of places you love and inspirational quotes. Chalkboards, planners and desk organisers will help you stay on top of things but remember too much clutter will only clutter your mind. Create something beautiful and it will keep you inspired.
Bring the outdoors in
Our workspaces can be happier and healthier with the power of nature. If you’re lucky enough to have a view of the countryside, trees or water, it can reduce stress, anger and exhaustion while increasing levels of happiness, energy and cognitive function. Bring in the green with an indoor herb garden or bonsai tree on your desk and if you’re not great at remembering to water things, a large artificial floor plant in a natural basket and a print of a leafy palm on the wall will give a nod to sunnier climates and dream destinations.
Let there be light
Lastly but certainly not least is lighting. Lighting can make all the difference when it comes to boosting creativity, a well-lit room is essential for you to wake up and take on the day. Try to make sure your office has access to plenty of natural daylight. A great trick is to arrange large mirrors in the room to reflect any natural light you do have and create the illusion of luminosity and space. If you’re staring at a screen all day, try arranging your desk so that you have a window view to look out of to rest your eyes. If not then there are some great natural light lamps that will help your eyes and don’t forget to go for regular breaks away from your desk.
Wellbeing whilst in isolation
Do remember that taking regular breaks, getting out for a walk to exercise (if you’re not self-isolatiing), and establishing your boundaries such as the times you can be disturbed are very important.
As is a routine; getting up and dressed at the beginning of your day, and tidying up and switching off at the end of the day to relax, away from your new ‘office space’ is good for your work/life balance.
