THINQ's Blog

3 Ways to Supercharge Your Work Space Design

Picture this scenario: The deadline for that project -- the one that you had PLENTY of time to work on next week -- has been moved up. WAY up. Like "tomorrow" up. But you're not worried. And why not? Because you are perfectly at peace with deadlines. You retreat into your office, which is a picturesque cocoon for productivity. Form and function intertwine to form a perfectly balanced double-helix. There is perfect harmony in your surroundings. Your office -- an inspired space that is the envy of all who enter it -- is like a warm bath for your work-soul.

How did that go? Were you able to buy into the vision? Or were you distracted by your elbow whacking into that overstuffed coffee mug full of cheap ballpoints when you went to scroll down on the trackpad that's still sticky from that near-catastrophic Twinkie incident yesterday afternoon?

Feng shui? As if. Your shui HAS no feng. It has been rendered feng-less. If you ever HAD any feng shui, it was destroyed by your uninspired surroundings: a cluttered workspace, outdated decor, and a desk that looks more like a frat house coffee table than a space designed for anything resembling productivity.

Work provides enough stress, so why add to it by working in a space that's anything less than inspiring? Here are three "-zations" that can help you transform your work space design from tacky to tranquil.

1. Organization

"I've been meaning to clean it." "I'm a creative person; my desk is supposed to be cluttered." "I know it LOOKS unorganized, but I know exactly where everything is!"

Save it. All of these excuses are as stinky as that gym bag that's shoved between the printer and the overflowing waste basket. How can you get any work done if you can't even FIND it? Finding the right balance of minimalism and practicality is key. If you can't remember the last time you used it, get rid of it. Lose the clutter, and make a place for everything you DO need.

• Keep it clean. Do you REALLY work best surrounded by fast-food wrappers and empty soda bottles? (You should probably re-examine your eating habits, but that's a topic for another day.) Keep some basic cleaning supplies on hand (glass cleaner, furniture polish, etc.) on hand. You'll feel better about your office if it's not healthy.

• Consider going cordless. Why deal with a mass of tangled printer cables and computer cords if you don't have to? Minimize the mess.

2. Optimization

The key is to make your office setup as conducive as possible to the work you do. If you meet with clients in your office all day, make sure they have a clear path to your desk and a comfortable chair. If you're a designer and you need lots of space to create, consider an L-shaped desk. This leaves your primary work area free for, well...working. The "L" part of the desk can be dedicated to everything else: office supplies, pending files, and miscellaneous paperwork.

3. Personalization

If you're comfortable in your office --if you WANT to be there -- it will show in your productivity. Do you like to have music playing while you work? How about a comfy place in the corner to brainstorm? Do you prefer muted tones, or do you like to be surrounded by color? From the decor to the lighting, put your signature on the space.

Need more ideas? Check out this article for 30 inspiring workspace examples and design tips. And when you've gotten your workspace just right, don't forget about the nuts and bolts, including workstation management services.

Have you found other ways to enhance your work space design? Tell us about them in the comments!

Image credit: Pieter Schepens