7 Tips to Create an Inspiring Writing Space and Workstation

No matter what kind of writer you are, you need a dedicated space to work from where you can be creative, productive, and work without distractions.

Whether you have a dedicated room to convert into your home office, or you just have a tiny corner in your home where you can work, having an inspirational workspace will do you a world of good.

When you turn your nook into a writing space designed just for you, your work will feel more like play, and you’ll be amazed at the difference it’ll make in your fulfillment and productivity. A better writing space will help you write more efficiently as everything in that space is there to help you be comfortable, get in the flow, and ultimately write better.

It should be the kind of space you love working in and the kind of area that inspires your deepest creativity and focus.

With a few tips and tweaks, you can create a great writing space on a modest budget.

1. Choose Your Writing Space

Decide where you want to set up your home office.

Do you have a spare room you can use as your workspace? If so, this step is pretty easy, and your main job will be to turn your office into a writing space that inspires you.

If you don’t have an extra room available, you’ll have to make the best of the space you do have. Do you have any little nooks or corners you could use, perhaps the space under a stairwell, or a cozy corner in a room?

If you don’t even have a little bit of extra space available, then you’ll have to get even more creative. Can you convert a portion of a room into a writing space when you need it? There are more options available today for tiny workspaces than ever before.

Courtesy of Urban Outfitters

You can find all kinds of small desks and equipment to set up a tiny writing space in a flash.

Make sure that the space you choose gives you ample light. Choose an area with less foot traffic so that there are no disturbances when you are working and that you also have some privacy to work through your thoughts.

2. Make It Comfortable

Nothing disrupts productivity like an uncomfortable working space.

If you can, make sure everything you have in your writing space instills positive feelings and enhances your comfort.

Start with your desk, which will take center stage in your writing space. You don’t have to go all out and buy an art deco vintage executive desk. Even a simple, sturdy desk from IKEA will do the job. As long as you have ample space on the desk to sit down and write, you’ll be good to go. Sometimes a smaller desk is better because it forces you to avoid clutter (or at least move it somewhere else so it’s out of sight while you write).

A desk with inbuilt storage can be handy in keeping things organized and clutter-free.

Go all out and make this space your own be decorating it in colors that bring you joy. It’s your space, so feel free to design it just the way you want it. Maybe add little trinkets and keepsakes you like to decorate the space. Or fill it with positive vibes by hanging beautiful pictures, inspirational quotes, and photos of your loved ones. Or keep it simple and Spartan—it’s up to you!

3. Add a Plant

Nothing inspires the soul quite like nature. You might be amazed how much adding a simple plant to you writing space can increase your ability to relax and be creative. Many studies show that simply looking at a plant or being in an environment with green plants can help us reduce stress, be more relaxed, and be more creative

Consider something small and easy to take care of like an air plant (Tillandsia), snake plant (Sansevieria), philodendron, or a spider plant.

4. Pay Attention to Ergonomics

Sitting for a long time increases your risk of early death. And as a writer, you will be spending a lot of time sitting. But as someone who works from home, you can decide how long to sit and when to take your breaks. Consider using an adjustable sitting / standing desk, or set up two desks, one for sitting and one for standing.

You can also get a treadmill desk so you can walk while you write. Walking has been shown to boost creativity dramatically, so it can be a great way to keep your creative juices flowing while getting more exercise and improving your health at the same time.

If you’re set on having a sitting desk, make sure you have a comfortable office chair to sit on—the kind that supports your back and encourages proper posture.

Make sure your desk and keyboard are at a comfortable height to reduce strain and stress from long hours of work.

5. Get the Right Light

Lighting plays a significant role in affecting your mood and your productivity.

Working in natural light is the best, so choose a spot that has enough windows to give you daylight. Place your desk in a position where you don’t have a glare on your screen.

If you must invest in artificial lighting, then choose LED lighting which is the next best thing to natural sunlight.

For nighttime work, you’ll want to avoid blue light because it can interfere with your sleep, and good REM sleep is crucial for sustaining creativity over time. Invest in a lamp with asymmetric light output and color temperatures around 3500-4000k, also known as warm colors. You can also download a free app for your computer called Flux that will remove blue light from your computer screen so your sleep won’t be disrupted after working on your computer in the evening.

6. Limit Distractions

When writer’s block strikes, it’s easy to get distracted by other gadgets around you like TV and video games.

Instead, surround yourself with things that will give you a refreshing break so that you can get back to work quickly. Keep all other non-work items and gadgets away from your space such as a vacuum cleaner and that pile of laundry that needs folding. All this stuff can distract you from your time at work, affecting your productivity.

If noises are distracting you, buy some noise canceling headphones—you’ll be amazed at the difference it’ll make in your ability to concentrate and focus when you can quickly and easily shut out any outside noise.

7. Declutter Regularly

A cluttered desk will not inspire creativity. In fact, the clutter on your desk competes for your attention and thus takes away your attention from your work. Clutter also causes stress which can negatively affect your work. So, it’s a great idea to clean out your desk every day of all the stuff that doesn’t need to be there.

Make sure you have enough storage for all the things you need to work like pens, pencils, papers, and stationery. This way you have a dedicated place to put away all your stuff and your workspace is clean and inviting.

Everything on and near your desk should support you in being productive and feeling relaxed. If something in your space is causing you stress, get it out of there! You’ll be much more productive and happy working in a space with minimal clutter.

Your New Writing Space

Creating your own workspace should be a fun endeavor. Use your creativity and these key tips to create your dream writing space.

Do you have any tips on creating a great writing space? Post your comments below and let us know!