Spring is finally here in the Northern hemisphere and it feels so good! It always feels so refreshing to go through all of the clutter that has built up all around you after a certain amount of time and clear things out to make way for the new. I’ve spent the past week setting up my studio and making it my own personal haven as a major step in beginning to take my business a lot more seriously. Whether you’ve been in business for a while, or you’re just setting up like I am, here are some tips for making the most out of your workspace:
Decorate for Inspiration
When I went to visit the Art Institute of San Diego back when I was still trying to figure out which college to go to, I was surprised to find out that they had painted all of the walls in the school a medium gray color to encourage the creativity of their students. After all, I think gray is somewhat of a depressing color, but I suppose they probably assumed that the students would strive to make more beautiful work in order to fill the void in the atmosphere.
Even if you’re not about to rush out and smother your office with the dullest things you can think of, I think the important thing to note here is that your atmosphere has an enormous affect on you as well as how you perform. Honestly, that’s kind of why I did the opposite!
Your favorite colors and knick-knacks along with fresh flowers and plants can really brighten up a space, make it feel like home, and maybe even make it smell great! I also always feel so much better when things are clean and clutter-free (even though I don’t always make sure that it happens), because it leaves room for new ideas and directions.
Organize for Efficiency
When you’re lost in the depths of work mode, the worst thing that could happen is that you have to stop and look for something you need because you can’t find it. I start to get really frustrated and before long my concentration dissipates.
I have everything I need organized into jars, drawers, bins, and shelves where I can very easily reach over and grab them anytime, and it’s equally as easy to put them right away when I’m done because they have a specific home that I know they belong to. It’s also good to periodically back-up important files on your computer and delete anything you no longer need to free up some space. Efficiency not only saves you from the annoyance of having to look for things that have gone missing, but it also means that you’ll be able to get your work done a lot quicker. Believe me, it definitely makes the process a lot more enjoyable!
Why not take a few moments this week to refresh your own workspace? You can see my full studio tour on my blog (along with pictures of what the room looked like in the beginning) here!
