New Year, New Office!

OFFICE: (noun) a building or room in which people work at desks doing business or professional activities; a room with a desk where a particular person works. So says Merriam-Webster. Not so sexy. Or particularly appealing. Let's be real about this. How appealing is an office or workspace supposed to be? It's where you punch in, show up, and knuckle down to earn that paycheck, pay the bills, manage your projects and generally try to organize and forward your life, professionally or otherwise.

Yet, according to several sources (academic and popular), the physical design and decor of your workspace - the word for that would be 'atmospherics' and no, I'm not making that up - really do seem to make a difference when it comes to things as simple as your attitude toward work, and, more importantly, your level of productivity. In short, your enjoyment of and response to the space where you perform your business and professional activities actually matter.

And here's another truth: changing up the look of your office/workspace, refreshing it, so to speak, can also refresh your perception of the work you do in that space. This is why retailers redecorate with relative frequency; the redo inspires both employees and customers to work and spend more cheerfully.

So, as we anticipate a new calendar year, isn't it the perfect time of year to plan an office makeover? Maybe you can even choose a new space, and outfit it with flair.

For starters, a well-organized space, well-suited to the work your are doing is key, even if it's small. We've seen examples of "office" space as part of bedroom decor, kitchen nooks, and living areas. A workspace that's part of a larger decor scheme can be beautifully integrated. Consistency with color, decorative accents, and furnishings that harmonize with the existing aesthetic of the room can make the workspace blend, maintain the appeal of your living space, and create a comfortable camouflage for what might otherwise come across as utilitarian or starkly functional.

If you're lucky enough to have a whole room dedicated as office space, you may find the need to make the room a multipurpose area. Perhaps it's a study and homework space, as well as a place for paying bills, handling correspondence, and running an online retail business. Comfort is important, but think of comfort as an ergonomic feature that enables everyone to stick to their tasks and complete assignments.

Lighting is also significant. Natural light is best, so an area with windows and diffuse exposure would be ideal. Additional lighting, in the form of desk lamps or floor lamps that provide illumination for your desk is also highly recommended.

Desk accessories should serve your needs, and not distract you unnecessarily from your tasks. Clutter is a productivity killer. By the same token, aesthetic objects or accents that inspire your creativity and give you a sense of ownership of your workspace can be worthwhile. Consider well-chosen artwork, such as an abstract painting or wall sculpture. For limited workspace, items scaled down to minimize the area they take up are key. Consider a portable speaker (background music is good) or smart phone holder (efficient, protected charger).

And cleverly disguised storage can hide papers and functional necessities in plain sight…beautifully.

A new year is, indeed, here…, we wish you blessings and prosperity, especially as a result of your personal efforts and successes. It may start in your office space….!

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