One thing I hear a lot about working from home is that your workspace shouldn’t really be comfortable. Honestly, I really don’t like that idea. While I totally agree that your workspace maybe shouldn’t be all pillows and blankets, I also know that I personally can’t focus in a cold, uncomfortable setting. Having a workspace that makes you happy affects your attitude toward your work, making you so much more motivated to get things done. But is it possible to have a workspace that feels cozy AND makes you want to work hard? I think so. From decor and lighting to room temperature and scents, you can find elements that will make your office your ultimate happy place, where you’ll feel comfortable but also alert and on task. Scroll down for five ways to make this happen!
1. Candles & Scents. I usually associate candles with relaxation and winding down after a busy day but it turns out some scents are great for waking you up and helping you focus. Citrus scents are amazing for decreasing anxiety and enhancing memory. Grapefruit specifically is a natural mood booster and promotes concentration. Eucalyptus is known to increase brain wave activity and promote alertness (and it’s beautiful so that’s a plus). Cinnamon, peppermint, rosemary, and mint are just a few other scents that contribute to productivity. Sooo… anyone wanna go candle shopping with me?
2. Houseplants. Oh, how I love plants. The other day I went to a wholesale floral market and bought so many houseplants, I don’t even know what to do with them all. One of the biggest benefits of having houseplants is that they are natural air purifiers and help fight indoor pollution. According to this article, indoor plants also can enhance your well-being and improve your concentration. I can vouch for that. If you don’t have a lot of space for houseplants, try buying or DIYing some cute hanging planters!
3. Room Temperature. Some people would argue that a cold work environment will keep you alert and on task. I 100% disagree. Personally, I can hardly think straight when I’m too cold so there’s no way a chilly office would ever increase my productivity. While I was reading up on the relationship between room temperature and productivity, I came across this really awesome article. Belle Beth Cooper from Buffer Social writes that “if you are feeling cold, you are using a substantial amount of your energy to simply keep warm,” which results in less energy going toward your creative projects. I don’t think there is a magic room temperature that makes people more productive, but the point is mainly that feeling comfortable is a good thing.
4. Color. I love learning about color psychology and how different hues can have an effect on your mood. According to research, the color orange is associated with promoting focus. If orange isn’t your color, I say just fill your office with colors that make you happy. There are lots of way to brighten up your workspace, whether it’s with an abstract print, a patterned rug, or a cute desk lamp.
5. Hot Tea. I used to drink tea all day every day. In high school I created “tea week”, a made-up week long event where I posted up in the cafeteria with hot water, a variety of tea, and pamphlets full of the health benefits of tea. I was that girl. Coffee eventually won me over, but I still love tea and the plethora of health benefits it provides. Green tea is amazing for the body as well as the mind. It’s caffeinated, full of antioxidants, and known to boost concentration. And it contains l’theanine, an ingredient that releases caffeine slowly so that you don’t crash. Regardless of what beverage (if any) wakes you up, I think we can all agree that hot drinks are the coziest.
I definitely think there is such a thing as having a work environment that is too cozy. Filling your workspace with candles, plants, tea, and a space heater might make you want to take a nap. But it’s cool to know that you can be comfortable at some level and still cross things off of your to-do list. If you work in an office, try bringing hot tea to work or putting a plant on your desk and see if it makes a difference in how you feel throughout the day. If you work from home, have fun experimenting with your decor, lighting, and scents and see if this helps you feel more motivated.
Have you figured out what kind of atmosphere you feel most productive in? Do you prefer being as cozy as possible or do you need more structure and less distractions?
Candle: Schoolhouse Electric / Mug: Pickle Pottery / Coaster: Anthropologie / Notebook: Worthwhile Paper / Notepad: Rifle Paper Co.
Andrea @ Blog Strength says
Great list, couldn’t agree more. I can’t concentrate when I’m cold, unfortunately I can’t control the heat in my apartment so when it gets a little chilly I have to whip of the electric lap blanket or else I can’t work.
Jennifer says
Oh man, thank goodness for electric blankets! My roommates and I have been trying to use our heat less and it’s a struggle haha.
Zoe Linda says
Holy hell – YES to candles and scents! Can’t work properly without my cinnamon candle on!
Zoe x | http://www.zoelinda.co.uk
Jennifer says
Mmhmm! I really need to find a good cinnamon candle!
Anna International says
I so agree with you on the cold! We are renovating my home office at the moment (cannot wait to have my own dedicated room!) and so I am working in our freezing dining room. Even with blankets galore, fingerless gloves etc, I am still half as productive as usual because my fingers are so cold I can’t type very fast! Nightmare. Also, tea seriously helps right now, but also anytime!
I plan to scent my office (when finished) with some lovely candles, and I have to admit, I hadn’t thought about choosing scents based on what they might do for my productivity! Thanks for this.
Jennifer says
Oh wow, I hope the renovations are quick!! Share lots of pictures when it’s finished! :)
Sarah Bayly says
Love this post, I’m moving soon too, and can’t wait to plan where everything is going to go – rather than just put in a space that it’ll fit!
Emily says
Great post! I do a few of these things myself. I need to get myself to drink more tea though, mostly for the health benefits. I am such a coffee girl!
Jennifer says
Same here! Coffee is my go-to now but I need to start making tea a habit again.
Rachel @ Countdowns and Cupcakes says
I need a clean and organized space in order to be productive. And it can’t be freezing!
Jennifer says
I always try to keep a clean and organized space but I always end up with a little clutter :/ working on that!
Karin @ Calm to Conniption says
I just reorganised my space but I think I need some plants and the tea needs to definitely be closer!
Jennifer says
Yes! It’s crazy how much of a difference plants make. Suddenly the whole place comes alive. :)
KP says
I’m in desperate need of house plants. I’m terrible at keeping them a live though. I think a cactus is just right for me :)
Angela says
Oh, same! Even cactus eeek!