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Tag: home office

  • 9 Ways to Refresh Your Writing Space for True Inspiration

    9 Ways to Refresh Your Writing Space for True Inspiration

    While a sunlight-filled office with exotic artwork from global travels, bright flowers, and a stunning ocean view sounds like writer’s heaven, not every creative has that kind of writing space.

    But you can transform whatever space you do have into an oasis by making a few simple changes.

    Whether you write from a spare bedroom-turned-office, a corner of your bedroom or even your dining-room table, you can turn your work space into a place for creativity and inspiration.

    And you don’t have to spend a fortune to do it.

    1. Focus on natural light

    While some people prefer to work in a basement or other space without the distractions of windows, other find windows and skylights essential to creativity, productivity and overall happiness. Assess your space to make the most of whatever natural light you have. Consider positioning your desk or work space near a window or skylight to take advantage of sunlight.

    If natural light isn’t an option in your particular space, or it’s limited, some experts recommend getting a light box in the winter months to help boost mood.

    2. Consider your lighting options

    Natural sunlight is a writer’s friend, but you’ll likely also want to consider other lighting sources, especially if you work in the early morning or evening hours.

    Look into a desk lamp, a fun chandelier, or even a lava lamp. Check out these useful tips for lighting your room for maximum productivity.

    3. Make an indoor garden

    While Instagram is full of people writing from a hammock, it’s not practical for most to work outside all day, every day.

    The next best thing is bringing nature into your work space. Plants are a simple and inexpensive addition that can add a touch of nature while also helping purify the indoor air.

    When selecting plants, consider how much sunlight you have available and be realistic about how much time you’ll actually devote to caring for them.

    Attention-intensive plants (like bonsai trees) can be a good fit for people who will spend the required amount of time taking care of them, but are perhaps not the best fit for people who can barely remember to water a plant once a week.

    Whether you prefer flowers, ferns, or succulents, adding plants can cheer up your space without costing a fortune.

    4. Add a zen garden

    If keeping plants alive is a bit more than you bargained for, consider a rock or zen garden.

    While some people think it’s a bit cheesy, others think it’s a fun way to meditate for a few minutes at a time. Rake the sand, rearrange the rocks and take a few deep breaths before returning to your writing.

    writing space

    5. Add a fresh coat of paint

    Spruce up your space for the cost of a gallon of paint.

    Whether you’re just touching up an aging eggshell paint job or looking for a whole new color scheme, consider the impact different colors have on your work life. Select a color that will inspire you and help you work. Consider accent walls or even painting a mural.

    If you’re a renter who is not allowed to paint, or it’s just too much of a pain, you can find some inspiring tapestries to hang. And the great thing about tapestries is you can swap them out whenever you want.

    6. Use artwork

    Keeping inspiring objects nearby can lead to a huge boost in creativity.

    You don’t have to spend a fortune on fancy art to derive the benefits. Display your kids’ fingerpainting masterpieces or scout local street fairs for unique and affordable pieces.

    Etsy is another good place to find artwork that speaks to you but isn’t too expensive.

    7. Essential oils

    If you enjoy essential oils, consider adding a diffuser to your office space and using a variety of oils depending on your needs.

    According to Entrepreneur, a few scents to consider are lemon (good for concentration and calming), lavender (eases stress and calms) and cinnamon (improves concentration and focus).

    While using scents in a shared office space can be tricky if people are sensitive to them, if you have your own space, you’re free to enjoy playing with a variety of different scents.

    8. Music

    While some work in silence, many writers prefer to crank up the tunes.

    Whether you find inspiration from Tchaikovsky, Dr. Dre, Garth Brooks or Justin Bieber, focus on having a way to listen to the music that helps with your writing.

    You don’t need a huge stereo system that shakes the walls, but consider adding a speaker or two to listen to your favorite music.

    Of course, your laptop will also work just fine. Have a playlist at the ready for when it’s time to get to work.

    9. Exercise equipment

    Getting some exercise is a great way to relax and recharge your creativity.

    Install a pull-up bar, keep a yoga mat handy or bring some dumbbells into your space.

    If you have a lot of room, consider a treadmill or other exercise machine to hop on for an impromptu brainstorm session. Or just get a good pair of running shoes and keep them in an obvious place so you can grab them and go for a jog when inspiration is fleeting.

    Whether you work from a tiny desk in your studio apartment, a custom-designed office space or even a corner of your basement, these ideas can help you make your writing space more inspiring.

    How do you transform your workspace into a place of inspiration and productivity?

  • 10 Creative Writing Spaces to Inspire Your Work

    10 Creative Writing Spaces to Inspire Your Work

    Working from home can be amazing. You don’t have to spend time commuting or waste cash on a whole wardrobe of “business casual” outfits.

    But sometimes you need the perfect space to maximize your work-from-home experience.

    Don’t just think about what kind of desk or chair you’d like. Think outside the box and consider one of these unique home office spaces to spark your creativity and mix up your routine.

    Sometimes you’ll want to escape for a break and find a new place to work, but with these awesome spaces, you may find those relocations few and far between.

    Of course, before installing or creating any of these DIY home offices, be sure to check local zoning rules and make sure these types of structures are allowed in your neighborhood. It would be a shame to build the perfect space only to have code inspectors come knocking with a violation notice.

    1. Treehouse

    Work to the sound of chirping birds from a backyard treehouse. These fun tree structures aren’t just for kids — they’re the perfect place for a writer to find a nature retreat in their own backyard.

    Numerous studies have shown that connecting with nature provides a plethora of health and wellness benefits, including reducing stress and inspiring creativity.

    2. Backyard shed

    Why store tools in your outdoor shed when you could instead turn it into an amazing office space?

    Building supply stores often sell pre-fab sheds relatively inexpensively, and it shouldn’t take long to set up your backyard Tuff Shed and turn it into a work-from-home paradise.

    With a bit of ingenuity, you can even create a functional office space hooked up to your home’s electrical system.

    3. Office Pod

    British company Office Pod offers innovative modular structures that work as offices either inside or outside of buildings. The website notes these structures can be placed in a building’s underused areas, including courtyards and other overlooked spaces.

    In addition to looking really cool, they block most noise, and can be dismantled and relocated fairly easily.

    4. Airstream

    Turn your Airstream or other trailer into a great office space you can use in your driveway or backyard or out on the road. When the weather’s nice, set up an awning and work outside right next to your Airstream.

    If your trailer has a kitchen and bathroom, all the better. When your work day is done, you can retreat back home or continue your on-the-road life in your trailer.

    5. Boat

    If you live near the open ocean or even a calm little lake, why not turn a boat into your own personalized mobile office? Work on the deck if it’s nice or retreat down below to get some serious work done.

    Eating fresh-caught fish on your lunch break is sure to beat any PB&J.

    6. Cargo container

    Shipping containers aren’t just for transporting everything from cars to coffee cups across vast oceans. Once they’ve docked, they also make unique workspaces.

    Some people are even turning them into tiny homes, but you can also transform these metal wonders into modular office spaces.

    7. She Shed

    Forget the ordinary backyard shed I already mentioned. Think drapey fabrics, soft light, and scented candles when constructing your “She Shed,” the trendy feminine answer to a man cave.

    This female-focused space trend can turn any space into a sanctuary, from a backyard shed to a spare room. It doesn’t have to literally be a shed.

    You can take the creativity further by incorporating workspace elements and using this special space to grow your business.

    8. Man cave

    Everyone’s heard of a “man cave,” but have you ever thought about working in one?

    Plaster the walls with sports memorabilia, grab a comfy work chair and turn a simple space into more than just a cave — make it a work space you love.

    9. Attic

    Climb up into your attic and you might just have one of the best work spaces around. A low, cobweb-filled attic won’t get you far, but finished attic offices are popular among many well-known writers.

    Jodi Picoult loves her finished attic office in Hanover, New Hampshire, according to the Chicago Tribune, especially since she’s able to keep all her research files and reference books in one place.

    10. Basement

    If you get distracted working in a treehouse or trailer, consider heading down into the basement and setting up a workspace down there.

    Wally Lamb, author of She’s Come Undone and I Know This Much is True prefers working in his finished basement office, according to the Chicago Tribune. He even customized it with figurines of Greek gods and a photo of Mark Twain.

    What unusual spots have you found to set up a writing space?

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