Author: Lance Cody-Valdez (Free-lance-now.com)
Whether working from home has always been your modus operandi, or you’re making the pandemic-era work arrangement a permanent one, giving your home workspace a facelift can provide you with inspiration that can fuel any midday or mid-week doldrums. Even if you just use your desk to pay bills and do your taxes, calculations can seem a bit less stressful when you’re organized and enveloped in a calm and inviting environment. From practical office equipment to serene artwork, you can create an enviable yet functional workspace, and you don’t need to take out a loan to do it!
Theme and additions
Ask yourself what kind of office do you enjoy walking into every day? If you used to dread passing through doors that led to corporate “drab” day in and day out, then leave the traditional office accoutrements to the traditionalists in favor of a bold, energized motif, or a more calm, zen space that can double as your yoga den when you need a work break.
Next, decide on your wall colors. If your space is small, or if it’s a shared space with another room in your home, you’ll want some continuity so that your workspace isn’t out of character with the rest of the living area. In those cases, neutral colors tend to work well (and can help you focus); you can add colorful accents to personalize your workspace more.
However, if your office is a separate room, there’s nothing to stop you from expressing yourself with some wall color – and the great thing about painting is that it can be done relatively inexpensively. Dark blue can help offset computer screen glare, green can add warmth, orange and yellow can be energizing, and even black can create a calm space. If you’re not too fussy about shades, go to your nearest home or paint supply store and ask if they have returned cans that they will sell at a discount.
One item you can add regardless of your decorative style is greenery. Plants can add an instant facelift to your workspace, and there are plenty of hardy, easy-care options available that thrive in low-light settings and don’t need constant watering. Remember that if you have a dog or cat in residence, you’ll want to stay away from any plants that are harmful to them.
The other item you may want to invest in is some lighting. Whether it’s changing to energy-efficient bulbs, or adding a dimmer function so that you can adjust your light as it suits your mood and workload, lighting can be a game-changer. If you have the option of increasing the natural light that gets let in, do it! This could be as easy and inexpensive as changing your window coverings or, if you have a door leading to the outside, replace the door style with one that has a glass front. You’ll notice a difference in your mood and your productivity.
Finally, don’t forget your wall art and other décor. Adding a large piece appropriate for your wall space can provide a wonderful focal point and immediately change the room’s ambiance. Check out the selection of affordable prints and framed art at TJ Vann Art for the piece that can either help you build your workspace, or put the final touch on it.
Doing the re-dos
If you can afford to buy all new office furniture, great! There are a lot of ergonomic yet tasteful options to choose from. However, if your budget is tight and you have to make do with your existing furniture, invest in an ergonomic chair or standing desk (if you haven’t already), and look at how you can breathe new life into your existing furniture.
While your paint brush is out for your walls, take a look at what furniture you can paint to give it a facelift. If this task is new to you, you’re sure to find some video or other step-by-step instructions on a few social media channels.
If you already have a comfortable overstuffed chair or area rug, give them a good cleaning to revive them. If you don’t have them, take a look at some secondhand shops, or even flea markets or garage sales. Don’t let a stain or two deter you from an ideal piece, or from keeping your old ones; instead, do an online search for “upholstery cleaner near me,” read the reviews for the ones that come up, and ask them for customer referrals. Be sure to describe your pieces to them, and stay away from any that use all-in-one cleaning tools.
Be inspired!
If you know you want to make a change in your workspace but can’t summon the inspiration to start, check out some ideas to inspire creativity on the TJ Vann Art blog. Remember, your workspace should be one that you enjoy spending time in – that helps make work seem like a natural extension of your life, rather than a separate, unpleasant task.
About the Author
A few years ago, burned out and miserable from his job in corporate marketing, Lance Cody-Valdez decided it was time to invest in himself. He quit his job the following day and used his meager savings to stay afloat as he built a career as a freelance writer and content marketer. He created free-lance-now.com to help others use freelancing to escape the 9 to 5 daily grind.