How to Spruce Up Your Home Workspace: Ideas & Tips

So, it looks like remote working is here to stay. 

Whether you're enjoying your time at home or raring to get back to the office, chances are we'll all have to keep working from home a while longer. 

While the situation may not be changing as quickly as we'd like, we can still make changes to our current work environment to give ourselves a well-deserved lift.

1. Personalise Your Workspace

Your desk area needn't have to resemble a page out of an IKEA catalogue for you to enjoy spending time at it. What may be aesthetically pleasing to you might not be the stuff of interior design magazines, but that's ok — your space should reflect you and what you like. 

That might be a homemade paper-tray, a beloved old lamp, a goofy-looking pen holder, or a couple of your favourite photographs of family or friends. Don't hold back, but don't overcrowd your desk either. The resulting clutter will only stress you out rather than relax you. 

Decorate your space with the kind of stuff you love to see

If you aren't fortunate enough to have a dedicated home office or desk, there are still some ways you can personalise your kitchen or coffee table workspace. Stylist Magazine recommends adding touches like a new tablecloth, scented candles, fresh, colourful flowers, and investing in a good quality lamp (if you don't have enough natural light). The portable nature of these items means that you can easily transform your table from workspace to dinner-space come 5 pm.

2. Liven Up Your Surroundings

Support Irish artists by purchasing some stunning art from Jam Art Prints. Talented illustrators from all over the country are selling their work through this Dublin-based gallery, which has an online store. Unframed, unique prints go for as little as 20 quid, which makes a fantastic alternative to investing in original (and expensive) art pieces. 

Plants: it's been said time and again, but plants really do have the potential to enliven an otherwise dark and empty space. When you're stuck indoors for the day — especially without a good view — plants can do wonders for your mood. If you're not a fan of (or particularly good at) looking after plants, opt for cacti, which require less tending to but can produce some gorgeous blooms. 

Organise your space with some new stationery. A new diary, folder or pen holder could help you get rid of all that unnecessary clutter on your desk; a mini pin/whiteboard behind your monitor could also help you explore ideas without sacrificing on deskspace. 

On a budget? Framed prints are wallet-friendly and versatile

3. Invest in Some New Furniture or Accessories

A new desk or chair might be exactly what you need to take your workspace comfort to the next level. 

Otherwise, small changes and purchases, like that of a computer stand or a bigger keyboard, can make a world of difference. The longer we spend working at a desk, the more we need to think about how we can maintain good posture, and making 'ergonomic' choices (chairs, desks, and other accessories designed to reduce strain on our bodies) can help with this. 

Depending on your budget, try to give your business to locally-based I.T., homestore, and office supply companies. It may be tempting to purchase in bulk from Amazon, but with Brexit and all the rest, it's probably best to search for your pieces closer to home.

4. A Change of Scenery

If you have some extra space in your home, consider whether or not your workstation would be better off in another room.

We often get so used to spending time in one place that we neglect to think of the alternatives. Perhaps you're working in a living-room nook, but there's a spot under the stairs or on the landing that, with some adjustments, could better accommodate your needs. Or, If you have a home office, simply moving your desk to face a window could do the trick. 

If you can, switch up your current workspace for a spot with plenty of natural light

Lighting is important, for both your mood and your eyesight. Choose areas with plenty of natural light to prevent your workstation from becoming too dreary. Decent overhead light fixtures and lamps will help protect your eyes from screen glare. Other than that, leaving the house for a walk during your workday will ensure you don't become too exhausted by your time on the chair. 

For home improvement items, try and buy locally when you can. Browse the 'Shopping' tab of the app to find local and family-run home improvement centres, as well as shops by Irish design makers. Some of them have online stores and are shipping nationwide - find a direct link to their website in the bottom menu of their listing!