How to Create a Workspace That Inspires and Motivates You

Whether you're WFH full-time or just need a corner to focus and create, your workspace plays a huge role in how productive, creative, and motivated you feel. A well-designed space doesn’t just look good, it supports your mindset, and helps you stay on track.

With more of us blending home and work life, creating a space that feels intentional and motivational is key. Here's how to turn any area into a workspace that works for you and helps keep the Monday blues at bay.

Start with purpose

Before you start styling and shopping for your workspace, decide what you need it for. Will it be your WFH space or a recreational workspace? Will you need a visually stimulating or calm environment to suit your work style? Do you need to focus or be creative in your space?

Consider the following:

• What kind of work you’ll be doing there.
• What helps you stay motivated and focused.
• Do you work better in silence or with noise?
• Do you prefer a clean, minimalist setup or an expressive, creative space?

Defining your purpose makes choosing the right lighting, layout, furniture, and space easier and helps support how you work.

Choose the right location

If you have the luxury of a spare room to turn into a workspace — perfect. If not, no problem. A quiet corner of a living room, bedroom, or tucked away nook can become a motivating workspace. 

If possible, find a spot with natural light. Daylight boosts mood, alertness, and energy. Position your desk near a window, or if that’s not possible, invest in a daylight simulation lamp. Avoid noisy parts of your home if you need to focus, and if you’re in a shared workspace, use furniture to differentiate your space from the rest of the room.

Source: Unsplash

Invest in functional furniture

Comfort and practicality are key for a workspace, after all, you’ll be spending a lot of time there so it’s important that you’re not putting yourself at risk of any injuries by not having the correct furniture setup. Start off with the basics and invest in the following:

A desk: Choose the size that fits your space and your needs. If you’re tight on space, opt for a wall-mounted or fold out desk as a space-saving alternative. If you have the room and light to spread out, a desk with a greater surface area is perfect.

A chair: An ergonomic chair is a must. It should support your posture and have adjustable features to suit your height and desk size. Look for style, too — there’s plenty of stylish ergonomic chairs around that are bound to match your aesthetic.

Storage: Tidy space, tidy mind. Drawers, shelves, and cupboards help keep clutter and endless paperwork at bay and essentials within reach. 

Personalise your space

Your workspace is yours. So it should feel that way. Personal touches help create a sense of comfort and boost your connection to your environment making it a nicer space to work in. 

Add artwork or prints: Whether it’s your favourite movie posters, motivational quotes, or calming landscapes, choose art that’ll help you focus and lift your mood. 

Bring in some greenery: Not only do plants bring a bit of colour into your space, they can make the air feel fresher and the room feel more alive. 

Give it a splash of colour: Choose colours that work for your personality and your work. Blue tones can enhance focus and calm, whilst warmer tones might give the room a creative lift.

Use textures: Add soft furnishing such as cushions and rugs with warm lighting to make the space feel less clinical and more homely. 

Keep it organised

Try and maintain a stress-free environment. A cluttered desk can lead to a lack of focus and productivity, inducing stress. Use trays, drawer organisers, and desktop storage to keep items in their place and organised and if you’re infuriated by endless cables, invest clips, boxes, or wireless alternatives. 

Create a daily or weekly desk reset. Taking five minutes at the end of the day to clear your desk space can make a big difference to you and your future self. 

Use mood-boosting elements

Small sensory and personal touches can enhance your workspace. Like music? Set up a speaker or invest in a radio. Oil diffusers are a great way to infuse calming or energising scents into the room. Your workspace should support how you feel, not just what you do. 

Creating a workspace that inspires and motivates you doesn’t require a full renovation, just a few thoughtful choices. Define your needs, invest in furniture that supports your workflow, personalise with intention, and keep it tidy and energising.