MY MEDALLION
Your workspace or study is where you create, organize, and get things done. Regardless of the size of your apartment, there is always a way to dedicate a specific location to your work. Here are 7 ideas to create the perfect study or workspace in your apartment.
Choose the Correct Colours
According to a study at the University of British Columbia, the colours you choose for your workspace can directly affect your productivity. The research found that the colour red assists in enhancing attention to detail, while blues have a calming effect, increasing creativity. When choosing what colours to paint your study, think about your daily tasks, and choose a colour that will improve your performance.
Light up Your Space
Your workspace should be a place with ambiance and lighting that helps you focus. Natural light can be beneficial to your productivity, despite shadows or reflections causing distraction during the day. For a study space without windows, desk lamps paired with overhead lights are the best option for creating ambience. Overall, to create the perfect amount of light for any time of day, alternating between natural, direct, and indirect lighting will allow flexibility no matter where your space is located.
Avoid Clutter
Regardless of whether you are scheduling meetings, or editing a paper, clutter in a workspace is unattractive. According to a survey of coordinators for National Organize Your Desk Day, a messy desk is proven to decrease productivity by 20 percent. Avoid clutter by scheduling a weekly cleaning of your workspace. This will make it attractive, and improve your efficiency.
Personalize Your Space
Decorating the space around your desk is a simple way to keep you motivated and to regulate your mood while you work. According to an article by Fast Company, leaving the decor around your desk in the same fashion can make your space seem redundant. To avoid this, rotate the decor monthly, using a variety of photos, cartoons, and motivational quotes that will keep you focused.
Hide Your Cords
No matter what technology you may use to complete your work at home, power cords and chargers can be unsightly, and make your desk look messy. Avoid this by purchasing or creating a charging station like the one pictured above. When placed in the right spot on the desk, it functions as a tasteful way to hide the mess of cords. Sugarbee Crafts has an easy step by step tutorial on how to create your own organizer.
Consider Your Location
The location of your workspace is an important factor to consider. Choosing a space that is quiet and free from distraction will increase your productivity and help you focus. According to a study by the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, natural lighting is the best source of light for improving alertness. If you spend most of your day in your workspace, consider putting your desk near a window. To maximize storage space, the desk can be placed against a wall so floating shelves can be installed, preventing clutter from forming in the workspace. For more ideas about organizing above the desk, Smart Fun DIY has many suggestions, including where to obtain the materials required for each solution.
Choose the Right Chair
Selecting the correct chair for your workspace is not only important for your comfort, but also for maintaining your posture, and keeping you focused. According to Homedit, the chair you choose should reflect the work you are doing. If you spend time on a desktop computer, your chair should support the spine, and keep the body upright, with a height that allows your feet to be flat on the floor. In contrast to this, if your workspace is more for studying and reading, the chair you select should be more about comfort and ambience than posture.
With all of these factors considered, your apartment will have the perfect home workspace or study in no time! For more information on designing your home workspace, visit the Medallion Blog.
