How to Personalize Your Remote Workpace to Inspire

Personalizing your remote workspace can help create a comfortable and inspiring environment that supports your work. Here are some tips for adding decorations or plants to your workspace:

Choose items that inspire you

Consider items that bring you joy or motivate you. This could be a favorite piece of artwork, a motivational poster, or other inspiring items with vibrant colors or unique texture. What brings joy to one person may not necessarily bring joy to another, so it’s important to experiment and find what works best for you. Some examples include:

Personal photos

Displaying photos of loved ones, pets, or favorite places can bring comfort and happy memories to an otherwise mundane workday.

Desk toys

Fidget toys or small puzzles can help relieve stress and give the mind a break during moments of downtime. These are often used in cubicles or offices in on-site settings, but bringing them to your remote environment can be fun too!

Snacks

Keeping healthy snacks or treats nearby can boost energy and provide a pleasant work break. Be sure to avoid eating snacks during a video conference – unless it is a video conference entirely about how to eat a snack.

Comfortable seating

Having a comfortable chair or cushion can make a big difference in a long workday. Consider ergonomic factors when selecting your remote work desk, chair, and other office equipment.

Aromatherapy

Scented candles or other room fresheners can help create a relaxing or invigorating atmosphere, depending on the scent. If the season is right, never underestimate the power of clean, outdoor air.

Noise-cancelling headphones

Blocking out distracting noises or conversations can help improve focus and concentration.

Artwork or posters

Adding some color or inspiration to a workspace can help improve mood and motivation.

Consider functional decorations

Some decorations can also serve a functional purpose. For example, a desk lamp or a wall clock can be both practical and decorative. Other examples of functional decorations include decorative trays or boxes that can be used to organize office supplies such as pens, paperclips, or post-it notes. Decorative shelves that can be used to display photos, books, or other decorative objects while also providing storage space. Decorative wall art that also serves as storage, such as a wall-mounted key holder or mail organizer. Mirrors that serve as decorative pieces while also providing a practical function, such as checking one’s appearance before a meeting. Functional decorations can be a great way to add personality and style to a workspace or home while also maximizing functionality and organization.

Optimize lighting

Proper lighting can improve your mood and productivity. Consider using a natural light lamp or positioning your desk near a window to bring in natural light. When designing a remote home office or choosing a work-from-anywhere remote workspace, it’s important to prioritize natural light and adequate lighting to ensure a comfortable, safe, and productive workspace.

Natural light has been shown to boost mood and improve productivity by reducing eye strain, headaches, and fatigue. It can also help regulate the body’s natural sleep-wake cycle. Adequate lighting, whether natural or artificial, can reduce eye strain and fatigue by making it easier to see and read documents, screens, or other materials. Proper lighting can also help improve focus and concentration, which is especially important for individuals who spend long hours working from home. Using natural light and adequate lighting can help create a more pleasant and welcoming work environment, which can contribute to overall job satisfaction and well-being.

Choose low-maintenance plants

If you decide to add plants to your workspace, choose low-maintenance options that can thrive in indoor conditions. Succulents, cacti, and snake plants are all popular options that require minimal care. Adding some greenery to a workspace can help reduce stress and improve productivity. Plants also improve air quality. Be sure to choose plants that are not harmful to your pets if introducing into your remote workspace.

Keep it clean

Regularly clean and dust your decorations and plants to keep your workspace looking and feeling fresh. A clean workspace can help reduce the spread of germs and illness, which is especially important in shared workspaces. By regularly cleaning surfaces and disinfecting high-touch areas, the risk of illness can be reduced. A clean workspace can also promote a sense of calm and control, which can improve mood and motivation. This can lead to better work performance and increased job satisfaction. Keeping it clean can also create a more professional and polished appearance, which can be important when participating in video conferences.

Keep it simple

Though the list of Items that Inspire may be long, choose a few and avoid cluttering your workspace with too many decorations or plants. Choose a few items that complement each other and create a cohesive look. A neat and organized workspace can create a more positive, efficient, and professional environment, which can enhance productivity and contribute to overall job satisfaction.

A cluttered workspace can create a sense of overwhelm and stress, while an organized workspace can promote a sense of calm and control. This
can lead to improved focus and concentration, which can in turn enhance
productivity. When everything has a designated place and is easily accessible, it can save time and reduce the amount of time spent searching for lost or misplaced items.

An organized workspace can promote clear thinking and decision-making, which can be especially important for individuals in roles that require problem-solving or critical thinking. Clutter can create physical hazards and cause accidents or injuries, while a tidy workspace can promote better health and safety practices.

Summary

Personalizing your remote workspace with decorations or plants can help create a more comfortable and inspiring environment that supports your work. By choosing items that bring you joy and complement your work, you can create a workspace that helps you stay motivated and productive.

For more training on remote professional productivity, sign up for the WorkForceRemote.org Remote Professional Certification. In this certification track, you will learn more about environmental factors that can enhance to remote productivity, along with many more strategies to help you go remote and work on!