Two years into the pandemic and many, if not all of us, have had to survive and adapt immediately by shifting our bedroom, living room (or any available spot at home, really) into an instant working area.
From having a dedicated table at the office where corporate efficiency was implemented to a last-minute, work from home set-up amid a very busy home environment — kids doing online education, spouse attending back to back meetings, a kitchen that never stops…and the list goes on — we all needed to find a fast solution.
What I found to be a lifesaver for me was a minimalist set-up. I really believe that keeping my workspace very simple helped increase my productivity. It helped me focus faster and better when I had to go on WFH mode.
Sharing how I set out to come up with a work area that was inspired by the 5S system we use at the office to my makeshift WFH space.
What is the 5-S System?
“5-S is a systematic way of organizing workplaces by eliminating waste, improving flow, and reducing the number of processes where possible. It applies the five Japanese principles: Sort (“seiri”), Set in order (“seiton”), Shine (“seiso”), Standardize (“seiketsu”), and Sustain (“shitsuke”). These principles were pioneered by Toyota Motor Company and has improved efficiency in their manufacturing facilities.”
Here are some tips on how to achieve a minimalist work-from-home set-up using these simple principles:
Find the right spot
It is crucial to find the best spot in the house where you can focus on your work and move comfortably.
As much as possible, find a spot that is far from the middle of the action at home. I found a quiet corner at the top of the stairs on our second floor that worked perfectly.
Locate an area where a table, chair and maybe a small cabinet can fit but not crowd.
This area must complement your goals — a clutter-free area is a basic requirement. Resist the urge to hoard.
Get rid of “stuff” like boxes, paper bags, plastic containers etc. — these will not only clutter your area but your mind as well.
In addition, comfort is key, a comfortable chair and roomy legroom both help make this simple WFH set-up ideal.
Pick the right furniture
Use small but functional pieces. Stick to what you need, not to what looks “pretty”.
The goal is to keep clean lines that collaborate with the minimalist look.
Go for a simple table (with a flat, smooth surface) and chair instead of a fancy one with too many details and patterns.
Do you know that the latin root word of minimalism is “minimus”? It means “smallest or least” so definitely no to bulky furniture.
Simple is beautiful
I strongly believe that simple design is beautiful. And it includes color, shape, lines, texture and proportion. I’m personally biased to neutral colors so my best bets are beige, taupe, gray, cream, and of course white.
Some may consider brown and black but it might look too “heavy” and “crowded” when you have a small area.
Lighter shades will make your space look bigger and brighter.
But don’t be afraid to throw in some color. An accent piece will not hurt. Just be careful and remind yourself that the goal is minimalism.
Keep the shapes, lines and texture as plain as possible because prints can be distracting. Do you know that according to studies, color and textures can affect your emotions and mind clarity?
Who wants to be distracted when working, right?
Organizers are your best friends
Organize. Organize. Organize.
Find the best storage solution that will suit your needs.
Make sure to narrow down what your office essentials are, this will help make it easier to find efficient storage solutions that will work for your new “office”.
This could save you from wasting money on supplies/organizers you won’t find useful in the long run.
Tips to keep your space clutter-free:
Always remind yourself that less is more. Here are some suggestions:
- Don’t bring out your stocks all at once. For example, bring out just one or two pens. You don’t really need all your pens out at one time. Also, stacks of scratch paper and dusty books on top of the table are definite no-nos. Keep or throw everything else. Personally, only my laptop and iPad (planner and notes in one) are left on the desk at the end of the day. It helps my mind switch to work mode more easily the next morning.
2. Use a planner or notebook instead of too many sticky notes.
3. Practice CLAYGO (Clean As You Go). Used coffee cups, candy wrappers and empty chip bags should not stay overnight. I’m sure you wouldn’t want uninvited visitors (find out how to get rid of ants here) hanging around your work area either.
Always remember: Clean is the new Beautiful. You don’t have to break the bank to have a nice workspace.
And you really don’t need a lot of things around you to do the work that needs to be done.
You just have to have the right mindset — a minimalist mindset and habits will help you get the job done.
Happy decorating (or in this case, un-decorating)!
