My workspace is teeny tiny. Microscopic really. It’s a desk tucked behind my dining table that only has room for books and clutter, so really my workspace is my dining table. And my dining table isn’t so much a table as an island separating the living room from the kitchen. It’s all very… intimate. My goal this year is to not only clear the clutter, but to finally make this a functional space that serves its many purposes in a beautiful way. I think the first step is adding some beautiful decor to the workspace area, that doesn’t feel like office supplies. As I’m planning for the revamp, I’ve written up some tips on refreshing your workspace to welcome a new year, and a new vibe.
workspace decor + organization ideas
It helps if you have a few organizational goodies, like this Alex Proba Desk Set from Areaware.
Purge things that no longer need to be there. First things first: the purge. It’s time to clear everything out and assess whether it’s trash, keep, or donate. You can do this Marie Kondo style, all in one go and with plenty of gratitude, if you’d like. Whatever you do, make sure to actually take care of the stuff that no longer has a place there, otherwise it’s just going to clutter up some other part of your home. I know it sounds obvious, but how easy is it to move junk from room to room?
Lamp illustration by Kalyn Kepner
Create a new color palette. The color palette of my living room (a mere couple feet away from the desk) is pastel pink, white, and grey with jewel tones. I want to incorporate more soft tones into my workspace so it feels like a smooth transition.
Creating a new color palette for a small workspace is easy! When looking for decor, choose one or two pieces to be your focal point, and build the palette off of those. For me it’s a pastel terrazzo pot for my money tree. If I had the space, an 80s art deco revival lamp in a creamy pastel would be IT. But until then, this cute lamp illustration is the perfect space-saving substitute.
Tall pink twirl vase by Eden Outcast (anyone know how to get this in the US?)
Swap your planters and vases for something new. Any time I want to refresh my space quickly and on a budget, I try out a new planter or vase. It’s such an easy fix and kind of amazing what a difference it can make. My desk is by a window so I always have my plants there sunning, and in spring I load up vases of farmers market blooms. Again, I don’t get too much work done at this desk…
The Self Care Planner by Simple Self
Try a new planner. It’s amazing how a planner can influence your productivity and efficiency. I’ve only had the self care planner above for a few weeks and it’s already a favorite. (I’m one of those people who really needs wellness and personal goals worked into my task list.) If you’ve been using the same type of planning system for years, now is the time to try something new. You can always switch back if it isn’t serving you! But experimenting with a new planner can open your eyes to new ways of organizing your day. Not to mention it can be a shiny new thing to top your newly refreshed desk. Find your own 2022 planner in our guide.
Japanese fabric ceiling lamp by Arturest
Change up the lighting. Okay, I’ve already raved about the aesthetic value of good lighting, but it’s worth noting its actual function (I guess). My place has lots of windows. I think it’s really important, especially if you are a sensitive, to reassess your lighting every now and then, especially in winter when your workspace may resemble more of a cave than a room!
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