6 Rules of Creating a Powerfully Productive Workspace

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After a particularly long morning at work, does it sometimes feel like you and your office chair have permanently merged (in the worst way possible)? That those ceiling-mounted fluorescent lights are energy-sapping torture devices? That you'd give just about anything to be able to burrow through to the parking garage and speed your way toward a permanent vacation? Your exhaustion and lack of motivation may be due, in part, to an office environment that just isn't working for you. (See also: 12 Ways to Improve Your Work Performance)

Thankfully, we can exercise some control over our workspaces and with a few small changes, significantly improve our productivity, energy-levels, and happiness. Here are six tips for creating a powerfully productive workspace.

1. Design for Use

If you're setting up a home office or have some control over the arrangement of your office at work, design for how you'll actually use the space.

Before you arrange a single stick of furniture or wheel in that Aeron chair, consider your habits, preferences, and work style. (See also: Reasons to Get Out of Your Office Chair)

  • Do you need a large desk or would you prefer room to move, organize multiple projects, or read comfortably?

  • Is your office a hub for other workers, requiring more open space and a few extra seats?

  • Do you travel extensively for work and need a place to stow luggage before and after flights?

Designing for real-world use instead of purely stylistic concerns will help you build a space that supports, rather than fights, your work.

2. Lighten to Brighten

Unfortunately for most workers, fluorescent lighting and office environments go hand-in-hand. But a growing body of research suggests that fluorescent's single spectrum of lighting may actually be doing us harm — contributing to inactivity, exhaustion, or anxiety. Studies show that fluorescent lighting in schools may be contributing to children's hyperactivity and abbreviated attention spans.

To improve your productivity, bring as much natural light as possible into your workspace. Gravitate toward lighter colors, reflective surfaces, sheer window coverings, and other design elements that maximize natural light and reduce the need for glaring artificial light.

3. Go Natural

It makes sense. We're natural creatures, and we respond well to the natural environment. While working indoors all day may be a necessary evil in our modern world, bringing a bit of nature in can help reduce stress and keep us engaged. Besides their aesthetic appeal, adding plant life to your workspace is an inexpensive way to improve air quality and interior humidity levels.

If your office doesn't get much natural light, choose your greenery carefully. Bamboo, jade plants, peace lilies, and philodendrons are hardy choices that do well in artificial or low light conditions. (See also: Hard-to-Kill Houseplants)

4. Enjoy the View

Of course, the ultimate way to let nature and natural light into your office is to take advantage of a wonderful view. Though we may be sequestered away in our offices, taking a moment to enjoy a view of nature or society can have a restorative effect. If you're stuck in a windowless or garden-level office, create a faux view by hanging photos of inspiring outdoor scenes.

5. Decorate

Those sleek and minimalist offices look great in glossy magazine spreads, but adding a few personal touches to your space can help boost productivity. It's all about comfort. Think about it: If you have to spend 8-10 hours in a space, then photos, artwork, plants, and other items can help you feel more relaxed and, in a tangible way, connect your work with other parts of your life.

6. Ignore the Messy Versus Neat Debate

A 2012 study conducted by the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota found that people who work in messy or cluttered environments tend to be more creative and innovative, while those in more orderly spaces are prone to make healthier choices and be more generous. The bottom line? Clutterbugs and strict minimalists each have their upside. Stop worrying about how you think your space should look and embrace the strengths in your personality that are reflected in it.

So, the next time you're clicking away at your keyboard and notice your fingers beginning to feel like sticks of lead, consider how your office may be working against your personal productivity. Would a smarter layout, better lighting, or personal touches help? With a few tricks and tweaks, you can change your space and reinvigorate your workday. At the very least, ditch those industrial fluorescents and let a little sunshine in.

How do you maximize productivity in your workspace? What single idea or strategy has helped the most?

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