How to make your desk a source of inspiration

If you have a sedentary job, you spend a minimum of eight hours a day and five days a week at your desk. Your office time consumes most of your waking hours and it is for this reason that your office space needs to be decorated in a manner that inspires productivity. Having a messy work desk is likely to hinder you from feeling motivated and happy. Here are some essential tips and tricks on how to effectively utilise your desk space to maximise output and, more importantly, your happiness while at work.

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Decorate your desk with things that make you happy

You might be spending a major part of your day at work, but that doesn't mean you don't have a life outside of work. Use your desk as a constant reminder of what awaits you when you leave from work every evening. You can decorate your desk with photos of your family, friends and your pets. To inspire yourself, you can write quotes on sticky notes and you can change the quote every other day. It has been proven that greenery has a soothing effect on most people. Having a plant at your desk can calm you down in times of stress and it can also make your work desk come alive effortlessly.

Drop money on a decent lamp

When the sun wanes by late afternoon, the artificial lighting of your office can be too bright or dim for your comfort. A small lamp that takes very little space can be set up at one corner of your desk to keep you focused. Use a yellow-toned bulb rather than a harsh white one to make your work space more inviting and interesting to co-workers.

Avoid making piles of anything

When you pile files or papers one over the other, it not only becomes difficult to locate the correct file at the time of an emergency, but it also impedes the flow of your desk. A work desk flow is when you lay heavier things like books and mugs on the left and place lighter objects like pens and sticky notes on the right to create a balanced surrounding. If your desk is big and spacious, use vertical file stands to avoid creating a mess. On the other hand, if you have a compact desk, consider installing a keyboard tray under your table to maximise surface space.

Add color

There is nothing exciting or inviting about a cubicle with drab grey walls. While you obviously cannot repaint your cubicle walls as per your fancy, what you can instead do is buy pastel file folders and colorful mouse pads to make your space more personalised and appealing. Colors make all the difference between a boring desk and a motivating one.

These tricks won't burn a hole in your pocket and you will gather envious stares from colleagues once you've set up your den. Go ahead and start brightening up your work space right away.