Whether it’s your regular routine or you just need a break from the fluorescent lighting and cubicle life, having a home office or workspace is essential. You should treat it like any other room in your home but tailored to your specific working habits and environmental needs. Here are some ideas on how to spruce up your home office to create your ultimate creative workspace.

Add A Lot of Storage

Have a place for everything and keep everything in its place with robust yet space-saving storage opportunities. Install a shelf close by or even above your desk to prevent clutter and mess on your desktop. An uncluttered desk allows you to cut right to the chase without any distractions or disorganization (Note to crafters: This is a perfect way to keep used paintbrushes or other tools out of the way while you work!).

Highlight Light Sources

Working away under lamplight is all well and good, but you gotta get some natural light somehow! If you need to spread your natural light sources to make the room brighter, try adding a mirror to your home office with a lot of surface area. It’s a practical substitute for wall art or décor because it allows you to work with more light and less electricity.

Have trouble focusing? Try a minimalist aesthetic.

You want your workspace to reflect who you are; we get it. However, if those knick-knacks and trinkets you use to decorate turn into an easy distraction, try going with a more minimalist approach to your desk. Minimalist, mid-century, or Scandinavian design allows you to develop your own space while keeping distractions to a minimum.

Organize with Pinboards or Magnet Boards

File cabinets are all well and good, but if you need to access those passwords and letterheads quickly, try using a magnet board or linen pinboard wall organizer! Having one of these wall organizers in your workspace lets you *literally* put a pin in personal projects or memos, keeping your essential documents on hand without the risk of flying under your desk.

How do you stay organized in your home office? Let us know by posting a photo on Instagram and hashtagging #KateandLaurel and #HomeOfficeHacks for a chance to be featured on our page or stories!