Creating a study space that helps you focus and keeps you happy while you work is so important. Studying at home can have its challenges – especially if you live with friends or family. That’s why we have put together a short guide to building a comfortable workspace to increase your productivity.
What does a good workspace look like?
- Step one: Make sure your desk is neat and organised and only has on it the things you need for studying – follow the saying “tidy desk, tidy mind”.
- Step two: Put your phone somewhere out of sight, such as inside a drawer, or even just behind your computer.
- Step three: Keep some objects on your desk that make you happy. You can decorate the space with colourful posters, photographs of friends and family or even potted plants. Studies have shown that desk plants can improve your mood and your levels of creativity too.
- Step four: Check that the lighting is right for you. Sit by a window if possible and think about buying a lamp with a dimmer. This way you can adjust the light throughout the day, reducing strain on your eyes.
- Step five: Clean up your virtual space by organising your computer’s desktop. Make sure apps aren’t running in the background and organise your documents into folders.
What does a good workspace sound like?
There is no right or wrong answer to this question. It all depends on how you like to work. Research shows that music can help your motivation and reduce tiredness. However, whilst some people find music helpful in boosting productivity, others have been known to find lyrics distracting.
Luckily, you can always listen to some instrumental music without singing. We recommend this Spotify playlist.
What does a good workspace feel like?
Sitting at a desk for hours at a time can be uncomfortable – especially if you’re using equipment that isn’t designed for it. There is a word for furniture that helps us to focus and be comfortable at the same time while working: “ergonomic”.
You may want to invest in an ergonomic chair, or a stand that lifts up your laptop to eye level to avoid aches and pains. Research also shows that working from bed isn’t a good idea for posture and could also stop you from sleeping well at night.
Where is a good workspace located?
If you get easily distracted by food, sitting in the kitchen may not be the best idea – plus, snacking all day may make you feel sleepy and unproductive. Think about putting your workspace in an area of your house that you can leave to do other things when you want a break.
If your workspace is in the sitting room, you can leave to grab a healthy snack from the kitchen in the afternoon, or have a nap in your bedroom, or perhaps even sit outside for lunch.
The most important thing of all is to make sure your desk is somewhere you like to spend time. Websites such as Pinterest are full of great ideas for making a study space look and feel good. You might even ask a friend what works for them. Although sometimes challenging, studying should be a positive experience and where you choose to do it can make a big difference to that.