Your Creative Environment
Controlling your work area surroundings through color, decor, tchotchkes, toys, books, images, music, and more allows you to design a creative environment that which fosters and inspires you to be more creative and produce more innovative ideas on a regular basis.
Different people have different preferences for their individual creative workspaces.
Some can only work in a space that is neat and orderly and contains absolutely zero clutter. Others would find this environment too sterile and bland, requiring a little chaos and clutter in order to manifest their creative spirit.
The walls of my office in the finished basement of my home are painted in an energetic bright yellow. I have giant lightbulb-shaped floor lamps and desk lamps. I am surrounded by books from my favorite authors and Batman action figures. An Amazon Echo is connected to a wireless speaker so I can create innovation inducing playlists on the fly by shouting at Alexa to play my hearts desire from Spotify.
Inspiring art prints on hang on the walls and half of the large basement area is devoted to my own personal tiki bar outfitted with Polynesian wood carvings, collectible ceramic tiki mugs, eclectic bottles of rum, and other assorted miscellanea that make me smile when I look at them (…and of course a well-stock coffee machine is always nearby).
My wife’s workspace is completely different.
Her office is not in a windowless basement like mine, but on the second floor of the house with two large windows that look out on a backyard featuring 100-year old oak trees. Her office walls are a calming turquoise color and she works at a small desk that once belonged to her father. Her room is uncluttered and neat as a pin. She has a large, round papasan chair positioned to catch the sun streaming in from her windows where she can curl up with her cat, sip tea from one of her antique fine china tea cups, and read a book.
What personal items are must-haves in your creative environment?
- What object must be present for you to think outside the box?
- Which items acts as a talisman to increase your focus and productivity?
- Is there an item that helps you to maintain a positive attitude?
Our creative environments are very personal. If you pause to consider each item in your area, you might be surprised to find that they hold greater meaning and serve a larger purpose than you originally imagined.
