Could you work or even live in this space?
When is the last time you tried to work at home and just shut down? Personally, when I worked from home in my corporate bank auditing days if my space was not clean around me I would get flustered, ADHD would be in full force, and my work would be scattered. Now if I had a nice clean space where I could solely focus on my work, listen to a nice ambient tune, and drink a nice cup of coffee my work would by far better. I could complete all tasks in an organized, timely, and well thought out manner. I concluded that my surrounding have a HUGE impact on my productiveness.
Now lets just take a look at some spaces, both out of control and serene. In a recent HOUZZ newsletter that I read in that sleepy haze between asleep and working around 4:45am I saw this amazingly simplistic office space.
Looking at this room you will notice that there is just a desk, chair, lamp, and a rug. Even with only having the bare minimum of items it feels cozy. Why is this? Part of the reason in this room is scale. The ceiling is lower, the rug and floor are of warmer tones, and the desk and chair are not too large for the space but there are not small either. Often, people will overlook scale with relation to a room and place items that are either too large or much too small, but that is for another post.
The overwhelming feeling of this space to me is a serene place for productivity. There is no clutter, no wires, no excess papers, and nothing to distract you but that view! ALWAYS make sure to take advantage of a rooms windows or views for your natural artwork.
At the other end of the spectrum, I found this great photo (through a random Google search) of how many peoples offices actually look.
Lets dissect this mess, I love finding Waldo! First, look at all that clutter. I know some people argue that they know exactly where everything is in their little landfill on their desk, I beg to differ. "Where is that memo pad with my frequent shoppers rewards card password?!?!?" I imagine this happening a lot in this area. Also, notice this is not a dedicated space for work, there is a living room, play room, and storage room all in 100 sqft. Unlike the other photo we have a desk that is not focusing on a nice sized window that could be showing Mt. Rainer for all we know, but rather facing the same direction as the sofa which by default would face a television. Not good so far.
Ok, now that we know layout and use of space is poor lets look at what is really in there. The overall feeling other than clutter is a generic 90's medical office waiting room. In the era of digital storage I can say with full confidence that 95% of the paper in that storage cabinet can be store in a thumb drive. Elimination of paper could reduce the pens/markers needed. This space is a self made torture chamber, I as other physical environment influence people could not function here.
What are the takeaways? Simplicity is good! I urge everyone to reduce. What you think you might need you more than likely you do not. Even if it is a small change like going to a full wireless house, it will begin the process.
What are your thoughts on these rooms? Have you worked in both types, which was better?
Till next time! (I'll be on vacation all next week, more than excited to get away!)
-Sean
Now lets just take a look at some spaces, both out of control and serene. In a recent HOUZZ newsletter that I read in that sleepy haze between asleep and working around 4:45am I saw this amazingly simplistic office space.
Looking at this room you will notice that there is just a desk, chair, lamp, and a rug. Even with only having the bare minimum of items it feels cozy. Why is this? Part of the reason in this room is scale. The ceiling is lower, the rug and floor are of warmer tones, and the desk and chair are not too large for the space but there are not small either. Often, people will overlook scale with relation to a room and place items that are either too large or much too small, but that is for another post.
The overwhelming feeling of this space to me is a serene place for productivity. There is no clutter, no wires, no excess papers, and nothing to distract you but that view! ALWAYS make sure to take advantage of a rooms windows or views for your natural artwork.
At the other end of the spectrum, I found this great photo (through a random Google search) of how many peoples offices actually look.
Lets dissect this mess, I love finding Waldo! First, look at all that clutter. I know some people argue that they know exactly where everything is in their little landfill on their desk, I beg to differ. "Where is that memo pad with my frequent shoppers rewards card password?!?!?" I imagine this happening a lot in this area. Also, notice this is not a dedicated space for work, there is a living room, play room, and storage room all in 100 sqft. Unlike the other photo we have a desk that is not focusing on a nice sized window that could be showing Mt. Rainer for all we know, but rather facing the same direction as the sofa which by default would face a television. Not good so far.
Ok, now that we know layout and use of space is poor lets look at what is really in there. The overall feeling other than clutter is a generic 90's medical office waiting room. In the era of digital storage I can say with full confidence that 95% of the paper in that storage cabinet can be store in a thumb drive. Elimination of paper could reduce the pens/markers needed. This space is a self made torture chamber, I as other physical environment influence people could not function here.
What are the takeaways? Simplicity is good! I urge everyone to reduce. What you think you might need you more than likely you do not. Even if it is a small change like going to a full wireless house, it will begin the process.
What are your thoughts on these rooms? Have you worked in both types, which was better?
Till next time! (I'll be on vacation all next week, more than excited to get away!)
-Sean
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