*Joining in on the Seasonal Simplicity Home Tour group.  Welcome everyone who just came from Rachel’s home, from Maison de Pax.  I just spent time with her in person at a conference this past weekend, and she is even more delightful than her stunning home!  To see all the Spring home tours, be sure to make it to the bottom of this post.

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When I get really stumped on what to write with a post, I’ll ask Mr. TIDBITS to help me get the writing juices flowing.  He then inundates me with questions until we both feel we like we’ve found a helpful topic of conversation.  As we discussed how I added a few very very very simple Spring touches into this work space, we began thinking about the important elements of a home office that cultivate inspiration and productivity.

After the realization that chippy furniture, blue and white color schemes, and pretty chandeliers were not exactly the key elements we were looking for (though helpful, I’m sure), we did narrow it down to a list of . . .

5 ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS FOR INSPIRATION AND PRODUCTIVITY IN THE OFFICE

So whether you have a dedicated work space (small or large) at home, or your own office at work, think about making sure these 5 elements find their way into your space every day.

1 – INSPIRING SURROUNDINGS

Whatever is inspiring to you, be sure to include it in your office.

For me, the number one inspiring item in my office is this old tattered rose painting I found for a steal at an antique store.

It is beauty for my eyes and speaks to my soul.  Art is always a way to foster inspiration when needed, but there are others ways as well.

I keep a collection of curated trinkets and office necessities out where I can see and enjoy looking at them.

I even try to make the necessary items as beautiful as possible.  My daughter needed a place to hold her violin music while she played (which she does in the office), and I fell so in love with this chippy book stand from an antique store.

Inspiring surroundings can also be in the books and literature you place in the space.  For me, a reminder to read from scripture daily is placed where I can see it.

As well as educational and motivational books and resources at handy reach.

Make a list of things that feed your curiosity and enlighten your senses to create inspiration on every turn.

2 – THE BREATH OF LIFE

I hear it all the time how statistics show greater productivity when plants and nature are placed in the office spaces.  Take notice of this fact as you walk into office spaces around you.  You can usually find at least one plant, and for good reason.

To make our home office space feel more fresh for Spring, I bought a plant from the nursery and placed it into an old pot.

It’s amazing what a difference that made in the space almost instantly.

Simple grocery store florals or even faux florals are better than nothing.  Give it a try and see if it boosts your spirits when the work gets grinding.

3 – ORGANIZATION

Not much kills productivity more than a disorganized space.  Trust me, I know this concept well.  When Mr. TIDBITS made this 18 drawer apothecary cabinet, I just started filling it up with whatever and doing lots of shoving and stuffing.  It hid the clutter great, but I could never find what I needed.

So I took everything out of the drawers and mapped out a more organized system.

Once it was all back in place, we can now find exactly what we are looking for in a fraction of the time.  Let me show you what I started doing.

I divided the “stuff” into sections and made a list of all the categories they went under.  Then using my favorite label maker, I put the clear labels in a visible but conspicuous spot.

I haven’t perfectly organized the insides of each and every drawer yet, but for now they are categorized and easy to find and put away.

Having 18 drawers at your disposal sounds pretty awesome, but when you have to play the old memory game to find something, 18 drawers can be your undoing.

Now when the little preschooler and I need to do some homeschooling, he knows just which drawer to find the lesson for the day.

By the way, The Good and the Beautiful is an incredible homeschool curriculum for all ages.  I use and love it for my preschooler, and then I’m excited for summer to dive into the History and Science curriculum with my older kids.  They go to public schools, but I like to supplement their education with topics that I feel are lacking.  This curriculum makes that easy.  I highly recommend it if it sounds like something you are interested in.

I digress . . . get your office space organized, labeled and with a workflow system and you’ll find inspiration and productivity come very naturally.

4 – COMFORT

No one can feel good at work if they are uncomfortable.  I adore our soft and supportive office chairs (shop the look below) and have my computer screen raised high to help me sit up straight and my neck upright.

The kids often work or create beside me, so it was helpful to have a surface for them at a comfortable distance from me, without being right in my work space.

I think investing in items that will aid in bodily comfort is well worth the investment in an office.

Now lastly . . .

5 – CLEANLINESS

Papers, office supplies, stacks of this and that can quickly take over a work space.

I try so very hard to clean up all my tabletop surfaces at the end of the day, or before I start to work.  Not all personalities work like this, but for me, a cluttered environment leads to a cluttered mind.

It really helps to take 5 minutes to clean and tidy before sitting down to work.

So do you agree with my 5 essential elements for inspiration and productivity in the office??  Could you add to the list??  Could these concepts work for every space in the home, do you think??

I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

For those anxious to know, here are my resources for the items you see in the images above.  Please keep in mind, some items were found thrifting, antiquing, or are DIY.

*Affiliate links included.  Thank you!

SHOP THIS POST

RELATED POSTS THAT MAY ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS:

DIY 18 Drawer Apothecary Cabinet

Office Makeover Reveal

New Laminate Flooring

Big thanks goes to my friend Krista from The Happy Housie for organizing this fun event!  Sweet Annie from Zevy Joy is up next in the loop, or you can click around below.

 

Monday

The Happy Housie // Sunny Side Up // Rooms FOR Rent

So Much Better With Age // Maison de Pax // TIDBITS

Zevy Joy // The House of Wood // The Turquoise Home

 

Tuesday

Confessions of a Serial DIYer // Designthusiasm // House by Hoff // Nina Hendrick Design Co.

Stacy Risenmay // Southern State of Mind // Sincerely, Sara D. // Town and Country Living

 

Wednesday

Willow Street Interiors // On Sutton Place // Duke Manor Farm

Place of My Taste // Rambling Renovators // Deeply Southern Home

 

Thursday

Decor Gold Designs // Amber Tysl // Sincerely Marie Designs

Summer Adams // Setting for Four

To see my other Spring Home tours this year, visit the spaces below.