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Five Office Design Ideas That Will Increase Your Productivity

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business officeMost people don’t spend a lot of time thinking about their office. That’s especially the case if you’re working in an office where you don’t have a lot of control over your space.

It doesn’t matter if you’re sitting in a cubicle downtown or you’re typing on your computer inside your home office, paying attention to design is important. The right design details can actually increase your productivity!

Here are four surprisingly easy design ideas that will help you get more stuff done every day.

Pay Attention to Your Windows

If you’re lucky enough to sit next to a window, you should think very carefully about how you use it. Instead of covering the window in those ugly mini blinds, try faux wood blinds instead!

Not only will they allow you to adjust light levels in the office, they do it in a stylish way. The look of wood will warm up your space, making you feel more comfortable, which in turn will increase your concentration.

Stuck in an office far away from a window? Plug in a lamp and use an incandescent white light bulb to mimic the look of natural sunlight.

Surround Yourself with Things You Love

It isn’t uncommon for work spaces to look barren and devoid of personality. That’s the norm in office environments, but that can even be the case in home offices!

Bringing in just a few things you love is an easy way to boost your mood while you’re working, which in turn will encourage you to get more done. A few ideas include:

  • Bringing in a few family photographs
  • Hanging a calendar that you love
  • Using a personalized computer background and screensaver

Playful details that make you smile can be a great way to boost your productivity. Try putting googly eyes on your calculator or hanging tassels from your bulletin board to feel more playful at work.

Bring the Outdoors Inside

Being outdoors is a great way to boost your mood. Too bad you’re stuck at your desk eight hours a day! There is something you can do to feel a little better if you can’t get outside—bring the outdoors in.

Plants in the office, especially offices that are otherwise barren, have been shown to increase productivity by as much as 15 percent.

It’s easy to do too. Just one potted plant next to your computer is enough to help you focus throughout the day.

Don’t want to add taking care of another living thing to your to-do list? Consider a faux plant instead. Although they aren’t quite as effective as the real thing, they can still make you feel better about being stuck inside!

Keep Things Organized

When you’ve got a to-do list that’s a mile long, you have to prioritize the things that need to get done and save all that other stuff until later. What gets saved until later is usually cleaning up. That’s why so many offices are messy.

It’s important to keep things organized because studies have shown that workers think more clearly in a clean, tidy space. It doesn’t mean you have to spend tons of time cleaning either. You just have to set yourself up for success.

Make sure you have a place for everything in the office. That way, when it’s time to file that paperwork, you know exactly where to put it.

Once you have everything set up for organization in the office, and you’ve cleaned everything up, strive to put things away as you go. That way, tidying up your space never finds its way onto your to-do list again.

Pay Attention to Your Desk

You’re stuck with whatever desk and chair your employer gives you. Even if you work at home, you’re probably not willing to dish out hundreds or thousands of dollars on a new desk and chair.

Fortunately, there are things you can do to create an ergonomic workstation without having to get a new desk. Ideas include:

  • Sitting so that your feet are flat on the floor
  • Placing the keyboard so there’s minimal bending at the wrist
  • Placing the computer monitor 18 to 28 inches from your face
  • Placing the computer screen at or just below eye level
  • Using a pillow to support the lower back

Your work space is about beauty and style, but it’s about comfort too! With these tips, you can design a space that works for you so you can give 100 percent every single day.

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