Six Ways to Spruce up Your Space

By Hannah Elders

If you’ve spent 90% of the past year in one place, you are not alone. The pandemic has forced us to combine our home, work and academic lives, leaving us scrambling to organize our stacked schedules. As students, an orderly, visually pleasing workspace can make all the difference, no matter what size space you’re working with. Here are 5 tips to spruce up your workspace. 

Vertical Wall Organizers
A lot of students don’t have much space to work with. For those of us in dorm rooms, bedrooms or apartments, small desk spaces can still go a long way if you utilize more than just the desk itself. Vertical wall organizers help keep the clutter off your desk, and neatly mounted above it. Making the most of the vertical space above your desk is crucial, and can also be a fun way to fill an empty wall. You can find vertical wall organizers anywhere from department stores to office supply chains. Here is a nice example that includes 6 file/notebook slots and a space at the bottom for office supplies, or even a small plant. If you want to take a step further and decorate the rest of your wall space, check Pinterest for some inspiration!

Plants
I know you all saw it coming, but I can’t stress enough how much of a difference plants can make in your space. Don’t have a green thumb? That’s okay! There are plenty of low-light, low-maintenance plants that can make your space a little greener. Plants in the peperomia family are great options for new plant parents, as they are pretty easy to care for and aren’t picky about lighting. If you’re plant-crazy like me and want to search for a wide variety of types and sizes to fill your space, check out some ideas here. Plants can purify the air and serve as a nice piece of décor all at the same time. If you are all for the décor aspect but not the maintenance, fake plants are a pretty and non-committal addition to your workspace as well. 

Colorful/Funky Candles
My favorite candles are ones that barely look like candles. They can add a pop of color to your desk without taking up valuable space. Etsy is full of small businesses that sell unique candles that are perfect for your desk or workspace. You can find everything from zig-zag candles to bubble candles, and even choose your colors and scents. Filling your space with a scent you love is a nice way to treat yourself while you work. Here is one of many awesome shops on Etsy that includes fun shapes, scents and designs for everyone. 

Mini Rug
They have been quite popular recently on Instagram and Pinterest, and for good reason. A mini rug under your desk chair or workspace can be a simple, effective way to pull your space together. A lot of small businesses and artists selling their work through social media have showcased colorful and creative designs as well as simpler rugs. There are plenty of fun shapes, colors and designs to choose from, so there is truly something for everyone. 

Lighting
Proper lighting is a must-have for our workspaces, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun with it. Try different shapes and colors for your lamps or light fixtures to add a cool element to your workspace. A simple desk lamp is always nice, but you can also switch it up with a lava lamp, some string lights, or even mimic the night sky with a light projector. Mushroom-shaped lamps are a fun and trendy way to brighten up your space as well. On-trend items like projectors and mushroom lamps can be a little pricey, so if you’re looking for a more affordable and unique lamp or light fixture, try checking out your local antique and thrift stores! 
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Add Personal Touches
Your space, even if used for work, should still look like you. Put up a framed photo or print from your favorite artist, or maybe add some cool stickers on your computer. Take a favorite mug and fill it with dried or fresh flowers from outside. No space is too small to make your own. Workspaces are great to experiment with your décor style because it doesn’t take much to fill them up. Adding elements to your space that bring you joy or remind you of a nice memory can also provide some positive associations with your workspace. 
As we continue to navigate through the pandemic, making our space our own is a small yet important act of self-care. And while there is, thankfully, a light at the end of the tunnel, remote work might be here to stay for a while; so be sure to make the best of your space.