YOUR HOME OFFICE SHOULD BE YOUR SANCTUARY
As many of us settle into our homes for an extended period of time over the next few months or longer, it is essential to create a work space or home office that is specifically your space alone, your sanctuary, where you can feel calm and productive.
Jeff Sheldon, Ugmonk
CHILDREN NEED A PLACE TO WORK, TOO.
I am helping my kids to create a space for themselves as well since they are home all day, and will need to have designated times throughout the day when they can get their school work done.
HOME-DESIGNING.COM
THE IMPORTANCE OF CLUTTER CLEARING
With the extra time we all have at home, it is a great time to clean up your office and your business; not just physically, but virtually and mentally. As you clear away the physical clutter, and the digital clutter in your computer, you will start to gain clarity mentally as well.
“Your environment has enormous influence over the way you think, feel, and behave. Over time, your environment — and the people in it— can make or break your success” – Marie Forleo
With tax prep on our minds, there is a lot of reflection on what works and is not working so well in one’s business, financially and otherwise. It is always helpful to review last year’s calendar and financials, and reflect on what you accomplished as well as what you want to change and improve upon as you plan for the coming year.
CALENDARS & PLANNERS
A planner can be a helpful tool.
LISA CONGDEN for Papersource
Calendars and planners are ridiculously cheap right now (75% off) at places like PAPERSOURCE where I found these fun items.
It is very easy to forget to acknowledge the triumphs of the previous year when you are always looking ahead. If you haven’t heard of MARIE FORLEO, check out her just released NY TIMES Bestseller chock full of strategies and tips for entrepreneurs.
HOME OFFICE REFRESH
So, let’s get started, shall we?
DECLUTTER YOUR FILES & YOUR COMPUTER
If you are in the throes of getting your taxes done, now is the perfect time to shred old bills and documents and create files and a system for 2020. Bills more than one year old can be tossed out but keep tax forms and receipts for seven years. Of course, remember to shred papers that contain confidential information.
This is also a great time to de-clutter all the excess documents and photos on your computer. I had a friend come over recently and he cleaned out all of the behind the scenes garbage that was slowing down my iMac. It’s also a good time to get rid of the countless emails you no longer need. You can search alphabetically and eliminate multiple emails from one entity all in one fell swoop.
Photo from MY DOMAIN
CLEAN YOUR DESK, SHELVES & DRAWERS, WITH A NATURAL CLEANING PRODUCT
Empty out all your drawers and shelves, one at at time. After you eliminate what is no longer relevant, and before you put back what is, clean all your surfaces. Vacuum and/or dust with a damp cloth your desk, shelves, and drawers. Something like this all natural multi purpose cleaner with cedarwood and sage essential oils from TRADER JOE’S is inexpensive and smells good.
ORGANIZE YOUR BOOK SHELVES
Go through each book and get rid of whatever is not relevant to your work. You can then organize by subject, color or whatever makes sense to you. I use baskets and containers to store miscellaneous items and remove visual clutter. Get rid of old catalogs, magazines, and books you don’t use.
REFRESH YOUR WALLS WITH A FRESH COAT OF PAINT & PICK COLORS YOU LOVE!
Domino Magazine, Erika Bonnell
You can spend some time on Pinterest researching which offices speak to you color wise as it is entirely what works best for you.
Martha Stewart has a few suggestions in an article about Best Paint Colors for your Home Office.
Why WHITE or GRAY is often best for creatives.
REAL SIMPLE had a list of 21 best whites however if you live in a place like Portland, OR or Alaska, I recommend Mountain Snow by METRO Paint for $14/gallon. It is recycled, excellent quality paint and most importantly, it is the perfect white for bluish, northern light. Whites come in so many shades and it is important to pick the right one for your space.
In my case it was essential that I have white paint. If you have an old house, it also gives it a fresh and more modern look.
1. White always brightens up a room. It is so refreshing to walk into your office everyday. When the sun is shining in, it is especially lovely.
2. If you shoot products in your office, the background needs to be white. It keeps the light a pure natural light.
3. If you look at colors all day you might need a break from all the visual stimulation.
And for fun, you can always add a touch of color in your very white room; on the doors or add a mural or accent wall.
ESSENTIALS FOR THE HOME OFFICE
1. CALENDAR 2. CHANDELIER 3. PEACE SIGN 4. COLOR TRENDS 5. WALLPAPER 6. DESK 7. OFFICE CHAIR 8. JOURNAL 9. CLEANERS 10. PILLOW 11. PENCIL CUP 12. LAMP
DESK
Find a desk that works for your space and purposes. The most important thing is that you have a desk that suits your needs and that feels good to you.
Melrose Writing desk, ONE KINGS LANE.
You can also find unusual finds on CHAIRISH, 1st DIBS, or ONE KINGS LANE. IKEA has the basics as does WEST ELM, POTTERY BARN, WS HOME, WAYFAIR, etc. Or if you have a corner or special nook, sometimes a custom cabinetmaker or carpenter can help you out.
1st DIBS
You want to make sure there is adequate space on the desk, it is solid and stable, and preferably has space for storing files and drawers for miscellaneous supplies.
And make sure you have your computer at the appropriate height and your keyboard on a surface low enough to be comfortable with your sitting position. You can have major wear and tear on your wrists, forearms, back and hips if you have to stay in one place for extended periods of time.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MY DOMAINE
Find uplifting accessories like cups and trays to store your pens, pencils, papers and other miscellaneous items. A nice trash can is always necessary.
SCHOOLHOUSE ELECTRIC
OVERHEAD & TASK LIGHTING
You want an OVERHEAD LIGHT with a dimmer switch so you can adjust the amount of light throughout the day.
At night or on an overcast day, it is nice to have the warmth of a DESK LAMP.
You want to pick a lamp you won’t tire of; that you love but is perhaps not too much of a distraction.
A COMFORTABLE CHAIR
UPLIFTING, MEANINGFUL ART
You want to select art that makes you happy, or that reminds you of who you are, what your interests are, or what your mission is in life/work. This is perhaps your chance to bring in color, texture or pattern.
SCHOOLHOUSE ELECTRIC.
PHOTOGRAPHS THAT MAKE YOU HAPPY
Like a picture of your beautiful children at the beach.
PLANTS
Plants bring life and fresh carbon monoxide to a space. They remind me of hikes and overnights in the woods, which are always restorative.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JEROEN VAN DER SPEK FOR THE DUTCH DELICIOUS MAGAZINE
PROSPERITY CORNER
With Feng Shui in the Northern hemisphere the primary wealth corner is in the South Eastern sector and in the Southern hemisphere the wealth corner is in the North Eastern sector of your home or office. You need to keep the wealth area of your home clean and free of clutter. Place items that symbolize money, abundance and prosperity in this area: images of moving water, such as waterfalls and crashing waves, a money tree plant and plants that cleanse the air, items that are gold or purple and items and images that evoke wealth for you. To learn more, go HERE
PURIFY & REFRESH YOUR FURNITURE & SPACE WITH ESSENTIAL OILS AND SMUDGE STICKS.
CLEANSE YOUR SPACE to CREATE NEW ENERGY and clear out the old.
ESSENTIAL OILS
Figure out which essential oils you like and you can use them as a room spray or with your cleaning products that you use.
“Remember that within your soul is an innate wisdom that absolutely knows what oils are needed for a particular activity or room in your house. So take time to tune-in to the essence of your home and your intuition before you choose your oils.” – Denise Linn(Healer and Practitioner of Interior Alignment)
I hope you found some of these tips to be helpful. If you would like a PUNCH LIST of items to consider for your home office as you clutter clear your work space, enhance the space with energy and newness and set your intentions for the upcoming year, click HERE, and I will send you a copy. And always, thank you for following along!
