Creative Home Office Refresh: Spring Edition

Spring is here! Here are some organization and decor tips guaranteed to reinvigorate your creative space.

Spring is the ideal season for change. Some people obsessively clean, breathing new life into treasured objects. Others declutter and streamline.

No matter your preference, creative roadblocks are real. If you feel stifled, your home office could be to blame.

The solution? Refresh your space (and life) by organizing and decorating. Throughout his article, we’ll explore three subcategories: desk, wall, and more (+). Within each, there is a series of images and source links, so you can gather inspiration and decide what works best for you.

Organizing

There is a time and place for clutter. Sometimes, you need to spread out, especially during brainstorming sessions. (My desk is currently covered with notebooks, pens, sticky notes, and books.) Depending on the week, this arrangement can help me gain a bird’s eye view and track pressing priorities. It can also be overwhelming if I’m on a time crunch, pushing to meet a design or writing deadline.

If you need more space to breathe and think, these organizational tools could make the ultimate difference.

DESK

Unless you prefer analog tools, most people have some type of screen on their desks. These can take up a lot of valuable horizontal space. So how do we make the most of it?

Monitor Stands

PHOTO: COURTESY OF IKEA

Modular Desk Trays (for grouping similar objects)

PHOTO: COURTESY OF HOEK HOME

Desktop Power Strips

PHOTO: COURTESY OF IKEA

Cable Organizer Blocks

PHOTO: COURTESY OF COASTAL VILLA ON ETSY

Document Drawers

PHOTO: COURTESY OF IKEA

Pen & Pencil Organizers

PHOTO: COURTESY OF POTTERY BARN

WALLS

Make the most of vertical space and rise higher with practical, yet stylish, organizers.

Wall Pockets

PHOTO: COURTESY OF TARGET

Hanging Baskets

PHOTO: COURTESY OF ANTHROPOLOGIE

Shelves

PHOTO: COURTESY OF ALLMODERN

Wall-Mount Systems

PHOTO (Left): COURTESY OF 1THRIVE ("The Susan"); PHOTO (Right): COURTESY OF IKEA (SKÅDIS Pegboard)

MORE (+)

Sometimes, you must think outside the box to find the perfect fit for miscellaneous objects.

Magnetic Clip Holders

PHOTO: COURTESY OF KOQYE STORE ON AMAZON

Under Desk Multi-Drawers

PHOTO: COURTESY OF BISLEY STORE

Storage Bench or Footrest (for underneath your desk)

PHOTO: COURTESY OF WORLD MARKET

Decorating

Decorating is personal. It’s less about curating a specific aesthetic and more about listening to your intuition.

Changing your environment prevents boredom, stimulates the senses, and fosters imagination. Why not experiment with desk layouts, wall colors, artwork, ambient lighting, or statement furniture pieces?

On the other hand, you may lean toward minimalism. This is especially true for me during periods of overstimulation. Amid intense projects, I prefer neutral walls with subtle decorations, so I can stay present and fully invest in the task at hand.

No matter what state of creativity you’re in—preparation, incubation, illumination, or verification—it’s always important to find a balance.

DESK

You probably spend hours at your desk. (I know I do!) It’s time to add a dash of spontaneity to your usual routine. This simple act can shift your perspective and spark innovation.

Picture Frames

PHOTO: COURTESY OF ANTHROPOLOGIE

Coasters

PHOTO: COURTESY OF ANTHROPOLOGIE

Statuettes or Figurines

PHOTO: COURTESY OF ANTHROPOLOGIE

Desk & Mouse Pads

PHOTO: COURTESY OF KALADYN DESIGNS ON ETSY

Vases

PHOTO: COURTESY OF H&M

Candles

PHOTO: COURTESY OF HANNAH SOY CANDLES ON ETSY

Desk Lamps

PHOTO: COURTESY OF TARGET

WALLS

Some people make a bold statement with prints, posters, photographs, and unique focal points. Others prefer blank canvases. Either way, it’s only natural to daydream between tasks and observe your surroundings. What do you want to see every day?

Magnetic Strips

PHOTO: COURTESY OF WEST ELM

Framed Art (print, posters, paintings, etc.)

PHOTO: COURTESY OF WORLD MARKET

Reliefs & Tapestries (The Ancient Home)

PHOTOS: COURTESY OF THE ANCIENT HOME

Curtains

PHOTO: COURTESY OF TARGET

Custom Hardware (i.e., light switches, outlet covers, handles, and metal corner protectors)

PHOTOS: COURTESY OF ANTHROPOLOGIE ("Joan" Line)

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You don’t have to sacrifice style for comfort or performance. From chairs and filing cabinets to bookshelves, there is something for everyone.

Floor Lamps

PHOTO: COURTESY OF TARGET

Rugs & Runners

PHOTO: COURTESY OF RUGGABLE

Plants (Real or Fake)

PHOTO: COURTESY OF TARGET

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Some of my favorite brands for organization and decor include Anthropologie Home, Ikea, Target (Hearth and Hand with Magnolia), World Market, HomeGoods, and Joss & Main.

Tip: Search Dupe.com for similar products for way less.

Is your room missing something special? I highly recommend exploring antique or thrift stores, estate sales, and Facebook Marketplace. Many of my friends have found quality furniture for well under the original sticker price.

Don’t be afraid to step beyond your comfort zone and experiment. Follow Smolder on Pinterest for more office organization and design inspiration!