Spring has arrived, and with it the longer, lighter days, leaving us feeling more focussed and productive. With all of the spring cleaning we have on our minds (when did all of that dust get there?) we thought it would be a great time to have a little desk refresh. There are lots of simple ways to improve your workspace to boost your focus and productivity, and as somewhat desk connoisseurs – we are a stationery company, after all – we thought we would pull together a list of the easy ways you can improve your workspace to make your desk a wonderful place to be. Let’s get started! 

11 easy ways to improve your workspace

1. Time to declutter

First on our list of ways to improve your workspace, before we start on the rest of our desk improvements, it’s time for a declutter! Nothing helps focus like a clear desk. Go through any storage you have, recycle all those documents you no longer need, clear any space that may have become overwhelming. Marie Kondo your way to productivity and only keep around the things that bring you joy – as they say, tidy desk, tidy mind! 

2. Functional storage

Now that you have been through everything in and around your desk and you know which things you want to keep – where are they going to live? Is the space working in a way that is best for you? We’d advise trying to keep your main workspace as clear as possible besides the essentials, such as a pen pot (this is our fave). Utilise the spaces in and around your desk such as any shelving or drawers, all so your main workspace remains a clear space for you to come up with your best ideas!

3. Lots of labels 

Let’s recap – you’ve decluttered your space, and found all of your things their proper home. But is it functional, or will everything end up the way it was within a couple of weeks of actually using your desk space? We have the solution – and it is to invest in a label maker. Trust us! Not only is it so fun to go around and label everything, it also helps you remember where you decided everything’s ‘place’ is, so you can put something back after you have used it. It’s also mega satisfying, if we do say so ourselves.

4. Things you love

Desks don’t just have to be functional – yes, that’s pretty important, but you know what else is? Making sure your desk is a place you love! One of the best ways to improve your workspace is to fill it with things that make you happy. Try to still keep your workspace decluttered and distraction-free, but there’s no harm in adding a beautiful print or two to your wall, or a favourite family photo in a frame. Your desk is yours and it’s important to add some touches of ‘you’ along the way!

5. Productivity tools

As a stationery company, it will come as no surprise that we’re big fans of, well, stationery. But most importantly we love finding the right stationery that works for you! One of favourite ways to improve your workspace is making sure your plan or to-do list somewhere you can always quickly glance over at it – no looking for it in some hidden app in your computer or rummaging through a drawer to find it in that one notebook. Desk pads are an amazing way to see everything you need to do at-a-glance and plan out your day, without taking up too much room on your desk. 

6. A chair upgrade 

There’s a fair chance if you’re reading this that you’re someone who spends a lot of time at their desk, so if that’s you, it is worth investing in your comfort (and also you health). Giving yourself a desk chair upgrade to something which is going to give you real back support is a game-changer. When you’re comfy, you’re more likely to stay focussed on the task in hand, so it is worth considering if it is something which you have been thinking about for a while!

7. Good lighting 

Next on our list of ways to improve your workspace is to make sure you desk or work area is properly lit. No strained eyes here! Your desk should be somewhere light and bright. If you can, move it to be near a window – natural light is the best, and those sunnier days do wonders for productivity! If you can’t be near a window, don’t fret, but do consider investing in some good lighting so that your workspace can stay nice and bright.

8. Bring the outside in 

Did you know that flowers and plants can actually boost your productivity? Yep, greenery is not just a pretty accessory you can add your your desk, but can actually serve a very important function – at least, that’s what we tell our other halves when they say ‘is that another plant you’ve bought?!’. A vase of flowers or a new leafy friend sure can brighten up your desk, but it can lift your mood and improve your focus, too. 

9. Creature comforts 

It may be Spring now, but the days still take a little longer to warm up in the mornings. We love keeping a blanket and hot water bottle close by for the chillier spring mornings before the sun has warmed the air! This may seem like a total luxury, but if the office is cold it makes us just want to stay in bed, so they are definitely an essential! 

10. Pin board or whiteboard 

We’re all about finding different outlets for productivity. Sometimes you need to see how things connect, put your ideas down on paper and see if all written out in front of you. Adding something like a pin board or white board to your office space can be a game changer for brainstorming and planning projects, to help you see the bigger picture. You could even keep one as a permanent feature and use it as a vision board for inspiration and encouragement. Either way, we think these are a great, easy way to improve your workspace that can really improve the way you work. 

11. Stay hydrated

Our final top tip for ways you can improve your workspace is by making it easy for yourself to stay hydrated. Hydration = focus, so you can and should make your life that little bit easier by adding a super cute water bottle or water carafe and glass to your desk, to make it convenient to sip throughout the day. Lots of our desk pads – like the Self Care Daily Planner desk pad – have a space for you to track your water intake to keep you on track throughout the day. A hydrated mind is a productive mind!

We hope these tips on ways to improve your workspace have been helpful and have inspired you to make some changes! Let us know if you have implemented any in your own home office or desk – and don’t forget to leave your top tips for other readers in the comments!

P.S. It’s never too late to start planning ahead – and our 2025-2026 mid-year diaries have just launched! Plan for this summer through to next with a beautiful personalised diary. Shop the full collection here.