How To Design A Workspace That Inspires Creativity And Innovation
Whether your workspace is located in an office building or within your own home, the way you design it can have a direct impact on your everyday performance. From adding personal effects or curated art to investing in higher-quality furniture, even small, simple changes can enhance comfort, promote productivity and boost your morale.
Humanizing your office space and making it truly your own not only makes it a more comfortable, welcoming place to work, but may also fuel your creative and innovative instincts. Below, members of Forbes Business Council share their best tips for shaping a space that's truly inspirational rather than simply utilitarian.
1. Include Reminders Of Your 'Why'
I fill my space with reminders of my 'why.' These can be flower Legos my kiddo builds for me, photos that spark joy and images that make me feel light, energized and inspired. Other leaders should surround themselves with what connects them to purpose and play. When your space reflects you, creativity naturally follows. - Casey Halbach, Intentional Talent Solutions
2. Incorporate Personal And Professional Growth Reminders
Keep reminders of your personal and professional growth present at all times. If you make a tangible product, keep your earliest prototype and every iteration in between. Organize them in a timeline style to show how far your company has come. If you have a personal office, keep little reminders of your earliest wins and the steps you've taken along the way. - Ryan McFarland, Strider Bikes
Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders. Do I qualify?
3. Reflect Your Energy And Vision
My workspace reflects my energy and vision. I keep it clean, intentional and full of purpose with quotes that ground me, music that lifts me and tools that help me think big. Leaders should design a space that reminds them daily that they're here to build, lead and drive impact. Your environment fuels or drains your potential. - Eduardo Fuenmayor, Tensik Industries
4. Choose A Space That Reflects Your Current Work
I switch up my workspace depending on what I'm working on. If I need to think deeply, I move somewhere quiet with no screens. If I'm focused on the team or hiring stuff, I'll work where conversations happen more naturally. I've found that matching the space to the type of work makes a big difference. It clears my head and helps ideas land quicker. - Zain Jaffer, Zain Ventures
5. Show What's Possible
We keep our workspace visual by having whiteboards filled with ideas, quotes and income stream maps. Seeing the vision daily fuels creative momentum. Other leaders can design a space that reflects their mission. If your environment shows what's possible, your team also will believe it. - Michael Lanctot, YoungNRetired
6. Invest In A Comfortable Chair And A Fast Laptop
I learned early in my career that focused creativity requires two main things: a seat so comfortable that you forget about it and a computer that operates at the speed of you. Good chairs and fast computers are something every company should invest in for its leaders. Together, these two critical basics can make every distraction fade into the background while you do your best work. - Cameron Deemer, DrFirst
7. Position Your Desk Toward A Window
I position my desk to face away from digital screens and toward a window with natural light and changing views. This setup forces regular visual breaks that allow my brain to 'flow' while processing complex problems. As all teams in my companies work remotely, I advise my colleagues to do the same. - Nikola Minkov, Serpact
8. Think About Comfort
Always design a space that feels warm, luxurious or homelike, because comfort sparks confidence and creativity. Natural light, elegant details and calming tones inspire both clients and staff. Leaders should create environments that reflect their brand energy and make people feel safe to express themselves and innovate. - Roxana Diaconu, ROXANA AESTHETICS CLINIC
9. Tap Into Your Personal Feng Shui
I tap into my personal Feng Shui to orient my desk toward my most supportive direction and balance energies on each side—for example, left (dragon) for motion and right (tiger) for calm. I incorporate elements like wood, metal and water to enhance clarity and flow. Leaders can spark creativity by aligning their workspace with their energy and using the five elements for harmony. - Irina Logman, Advanced Holistic Center
10. Incorporate Natural Elements
There's something about natural elements. Whether it's watching leaves move in the breeze or simply having living greenery nearby, nature always seems to unlock different thinking patterns for me. The quiet presence of nature offers a counterbalance to digital intensity. - Laurent Valosek, Peak Leadership Institute
11. Gather Emotional And Sensory-Rich Objects
I surround my workspace with objects rich in emotional and sensory meaning, like vintage perfume bottles, burning incense and fresh flowers. They serve as quiet muses. For other leaders, I recommend curating a space that tells your story. When your environment reflects your soul, creativity flows naturally. - Sudhir Gupta, The Facticerie
12. Hang Representative Art
I use art that represents who I am or who I think I might be to inspire me to stay creative. I have dozens of framed pieces that are visible on video calls. They also make for great icebreakers with new colleagues and clients looking in. - James Felton Keith, InclusionScore
13. Don't Be Afraid To Go Bold
Ditch the beige. My space is filled with bold female visuals from around the world, turquoise wallpaper, evergreen drapes and a Spanish silver armoire. Creativity doesn't live in clutter or cubicles—it lives in spaces that feel like possibility. Design for energy, and build for vision. Make your space reflect the future you're building, not the job you left. Never apologize for having taste or courage. - Aleesha Webb, Pioneer Bank
14. Make Room For A Personal Passion
My home office doubles as a music studio with keyboards, guitars and electronic drums. When I need a reset, diving into a quick jam session helps immeasurably! In particular, the drums are a great way to mentally shift gears. A workspace that includes a personal passion—be it music, art or something else tactile—can create a powerful outlet for creative thinking and emotional clarity. - Luke Lombe, Faculty Group
15. Designate Distinct Areas For Specific Functions
Design your workspace with distinct areas for focus, collaboration and recharging. A creativity zone—with whiteboards, flexible seating and natural light—encourages brainstorming and fresh thinking. Leaders can replicate this by integrating inspiring visuals and adaptable setups to support different workflows and boost innovation. - Rohan Sharma, Zenolabs.AI
16. Remove Distractions
Clear your space of distractions first, removing clutter and phones. Then, guard your time. Block creative sessions on your calendar, set a timer and stick to it. Creativity isn't just about space; it's about focus. Leaders can foster this by modeling discipline and making room for deep thinking. - Jon Osterburg, Jitasa
17. Keep It Clean
Include elements that stimulate focus and imagination, like a clutter-free, organized space with plenty of natural light. When the space is clean, disinfected and well-organized, it helps clear mental distractions, making it easier for employees to focus and think creatively. A clean environment sets the tone for fresh ideas, sharper problem-solving and more inspired work. - Adam Povlitz, Anago Cleaning Systems
18. Tidy Up At The End Of The Day
Overwhelm is the enemy of action. When your workspace is a mess, it's impossible to think clearly or creatively. By tidying up your desk at the end of the day, you ensure you're set up for success the next morning while mitigating overwhelm. - Erin Stafford, Stafford Company
19. Spark Your Curiosity And Bold Thinking
I surround my workspace with books, art and objects that reflect curiosity and bold thinking. This keeps my mind engaged and open to new ideas. Leaders can create similar spaces by blending personal inspiration with tools for focus. Think open layouts, creative prompts and areas that encourage reflection and collaboration. - Asaad Hakeem, SARC MedIQ Inc.
20. Reflect Your Unique Goals And Mindset
I believe it's not the space that inspires the person, but the person who inspires the space. I keep my workspace simple, clean and filled with purpose. It's not about design; it's about focus and energy. Leaders can do the same by creating a space that reflects their goals and mindset, as that's where true creativity begins. - Jekaterina Beljankova, WALLACE s.r.o
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
29 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Intel to outsource marketing to Accenture and AI, resulting in more layoffs
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Employees at Intel's marketing division were informed that many of their roles will be handed over to Accenture, which will use AI to handle tasks traditionally done by Intel staff, reports OregonLive. The decision is part of a company-wide restructuring plan that includes job cuts, automation, and streamlining of execution. The marketing division has been one of Intel's key strengths since the company began communicating directly with end users with the launch of its "Intel Inside" campaign in 1991. However, it looks like the company will drastically cut its human-driven marketing efforts going forward, as it plans to lay off many of its marketing employees, believing that Accenture's AI will do a better job connecting Intel with customers. The number of positions affected was not disclosed, but Intel confirmed changes will significantly alter team structures, with only 'lean' teams remaining. Workers will be told by July 11 whether they will remain with the company. Among other things, the aim of the restructuring is to free up internal teams to focus on strategic, creative, and high-value projects, rather than routine functions. Therefore, Intel intends to use Accenture's AI in various aspects of marketing, including information processing, task automation, and personalized communications. Intel has acknowledged the shift to Accenture and explained that this will not only cut costs but will modernize its capabilities and strengthen its brand. How exactly the usage of AI instead of real people can reinforce the brand hasn't been explained yet. "As we announced earlier this year, we are taking steps to become a leaner, faster and more efficient company," a statement by Intel published by OregonLive reads. "As part of this, we are focused on modernizing our digital capabilities to serve our customers better and strengthen our brand. Accenture is a longtime partner and trusted leader in these areas and we look forward to expanding our work together." In messages to staff published by OregonLive, Intel indicated that part of the restructuring may involve existing employees training Accenture contractors by explaining how Intel's operations work. This knowledge transfer would occur during the transitional phase of the outsourcing plan, although it is unclear how long this phase will take. Follow Tom's Hardware on Google News to get our up-to-date news, analysis, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button.
Bloomberg
33 minutes ago
- Bloomberg
Malaysia Says US Agrees to Finalize Trade Talks Before Deadline
Malaysia and the US have agreed to finalize trade negotiations before the tariff reprieve expires, the Malaysia's Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry said. 'Both Malaysia and the US representatives expressed their intent to finalize the negotiations before the expiry of the 90-day pause on tariff implementation and agreed to intensify efforts to reach an agreement that would be mutually acceptable by key stakeholders from both countries,' according to a statement from the ministry on Sunday.
Yahoo
38 minutes ago
- Yahoo
2 world-class growth shares to consider buying during a stock market crash
It's always a smart idea to have a shopping list of shares at hand. This is what I had in April when the proverbial hit the fan, saving me valuable time deciding which stocks to buy when many suddenly went on sale. Two on my list were Shopify and Nvidia, and I took my chance when things quickly went south. Those positions are currently up 40% and 51% respectively since early April. Here are two shares that look overvalued, but which I think investors should consider putting on a shopping list for the next bear market or crash. The first is Axon Enterprise (NASDAQ: AXON). As well as owning the Taser brand, the company sells body-cams, dash-cams, and various software products to law enforcement customers. It's also innovating in drones, VR training, and powerful artificial intelligence (AI)-powered tools. Last year, revenue jumped 33% to $2.1bn, up from $681m in 2020. Over $1bn of that is now annual recurring revenue, while total future contracted bookings rose to $10.1bn. The company continues to scale up very impressively. This rapid progress is reflected in the share price, which has vaulted 700% in three years. The key risk now then is valuation, with the shares trading at 27 times sales. If Axon's growth underwhelms, the stock could sell off heavily. But I think this is definitely one to consider picking up during any such sell-off. The enterprise growth opportunity's very large. Take body-cams, for example. In an attempt to reduce attacks on staff, Walmart's piloting black-and-yellow body-cams in some stores (Axon's signature colours). Management points out that Walmart has 2.1m retail workers, far in excess of the 900,000 cops in the US. What about airlines? Cabin crew are no strangers to abusive behaviour. Cameras can provide evidence, reduce false claims, and deter aggression. They would integrate with Axon's cloud-based evidence system, adding to the recurring revenue. Meanwhile, the company's sitting on a library of video data that's roughly 40 times larger than that belonging to Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX). Axon's using this vast data trove to train AI models and power a growing suite of tools, embedding it ever deeper into customers' daily workflows. Looking ahead, the international opportunity in Europe, Latin America and Asia remains largely untapped. Returning to Netflix, I think the global streaming leader is worthy of consideration. But perhaps not right now around $1,220. This price puts the stock at 13 times sales and 49 times forward earnings. Again, this stretched valuation leaves very little margin for error, particularly if subscriber growth unexpectantly slows. Long term though, I'm bullish on Netflix. The firm possesses an incredible brand and streaming still has plenty of room to grow globally. It also offers fantastic value for money. At £12.99, my Netflix subscription's probably one of the last discretionary things I would cut. The new ad-supported tier is just £5.99 a month — less than the price of a pint in London nowadays! I think Netflix can keep increasing prices for years without losing too many subscribers. The firm has set a goal of reaching a $1trn market-cap by 2030, up from $520bn today. I think that's achievable, especially if cutting-edge generative AI helps it make content for less money. The post 2 world-class growth shares to consider buying during a stock market crash appeared first on The Motley Fool UK. More reading 5 Stocks For Trying To Build Wealth After 50 One Top Growth Stock from the Motley Fool Ben McPoland has positions in Axon Enterprise, Nvidia, and Shopify. The Motley Fool UK has recommended Axon Enterprise, Nvidia, Shopify, and Walmart. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. Motley Fool UK 2025 Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
