Reimagine your workspace: Consider these eight ways to bring welcome change to your office

Aja Macheel

Do you welcome change in your daily routine or do you avoid it like the plague (or shall I say, like the pandemic)? For some it feels like a welcome and fresh new start but for others the smallest nuance of change is enough cause serious distress and disorganization.

As human beings, we thrive on routine and consistency. While we may not notice it, the tiniest shift in our furniture layout, noise level, environment or the addition of other out-of-routine distractions within the workday can add up in a big lack of productivity, leaving us feeling unrested and disorganized.

Whether you worked in a large office during the pandemic, in a restaurant or retail or from your home office, you were likely not exempt from the many changes that the pandemic brought to our workplaces. Not only did a few things change, everything changed. Our furniture layouts look different, restaurants are rearranged, our work and living spaces have combined and we are still seeking social distance, safety and health.

All of this change once seemed temporary but just as we all tried to slide back into our normal work routine, things suddenly shifted again, leaving a lot of uncertainty and deepening our need for versatile and mobile workspaces.

No matter where you’ve landed after these last few pandemic years, it is important to stay focused and create an intentional and healthy workplace wherever you are. Check out the eight ideas listed below to inspire a reimagined workspace. These are easy fixes that do not require construction or remodeling. Each of us can make these adjustments to increase our focus and satisfaction in our space.

1. Clean up the clutter. Find a system to put away your paperwork, files and anything that will linger and leave you feeling incomplete or unfinished at the end of the day or week. When you walk away from your desk for the evening, make sure it is clean and clear, free of any piles or clutter that leaves you feeling distracted. Having a nice clean workspace to start out every day will make you feel clarity for the tasks ahead.

2. Lower the noise levels. There’s a lot going on these days in our home offices or collaborative spaces. Shut your door for privacy, dedicate a pair of earbuds to your workspace and listen to calming, soothing sounds. Add more plants into rooms that echo or feel empty — the foliage of living plants will reduce noise in any room.

3. Divide your space. Are your kids or pets on one side of your workspace while you try to focus on the other side or the room? Consider dividing the room in half with a large plant, a shelf or table. It can feel a little bit risky to cut a room in half with furniture or plants, but it is a great way to create smaller, more focused and intimate spaces at home.

4. Move your furniture around. Moving furniture always gives a space a fresh look and feel. If you find yourself unfocused in the office because you face another person or are too close to a high-traffic area, turn your desk to the wall, face a window or invest in desk dividers for privacy. Once again, adding plants around your desk space in large groups or as a dividing wall will not only reduce noise, but create the privacy barrier you may need.

5. Focus on something beautiful. We have a lot going on in and around our desks that demand our professional attention, but do you have something in your workspace that reminds you to stop, breathe and take a moment for yourself? This is important. Treat yourself to cut flowers to brighten up your day, or to a beautiful bonsai for your desk to give a calm and meditative effect. Let that item represent your calmness and attentiveness to your mental health and remember to regularly treat yourself to something beautiful to grab your attention.

6. Get some fresh air. Make sure you have clean air in your workspace. Not only is this important for mental clarity, its good for your immune system and overall health. Pop your home office window open for fresh air, even on cold days. Consider purchasing an air purifier or fan for under your desk that will gently freshen and move the air to keep you alert. Consider a plant in your space, which can effortlessly clean the air and add to the look of your space at the same time.

7. Eliminate distractions. Constant interruptions are a part of our everyday work life. People pop into your office for quick questions or even a phone ping or email alert can completely derail our focus. Kids and pets also demand distractions too, so no matter where you are, it’s important to draw some boundaries. Consider using a “silence” or “do not disturb” message on your computer or phone during focused work time. Close your office door or put a sign on your desk to "Please do not disturb." The few moments you’ll save by drawing these boundaries will add up in the long run.

8. Consider aromatic additions. Whether its someone’s reheated lunch, stagnant office building air or pet smells from the cat laying next to your keyboard, what our office smells like tends to go unnoticed. Think of tapping into other senses to brighten your space, and don’t leave out the aromatics. Fragrant flowers, fresh balsam cedar during the holidays or a richly scented candle will make the space feel whole and clean to work in.

Step back and look at your workspace in a whole new way and consider the things that are not serving you. Taking the time to practice this self-care will go a long way, no matter how many times you change workspaces. These tips will help your clarity and stamina, no matter what change is around the corner.

Aja Macheel is an interiorscape design specialist with 20 years’ horticultural experience. She is currently the sales manager at Salt Lake City’s Cactus & Tropicals.