7 Ways to Make Your Office a SanctuaryBeing at work shouldn't be an ordeal.

ByJacqueline Whitmore

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

After a busy workday, there's nothing better than to come home to your comfortable surroundings, including a happy family and your cherished treasures. If you're like most people, however, you probably spend more waking time in your office than you do at home. Imagine if you could look forward to the comforts of your office like you do the comforts of your home. It's possible. With a few simple tweaks, you can create an appealing space for yourself.

Here are seven tips to make your office a more peaceful and inviting place to work.

1. Live clean and clutter-free.

Clutter and dirt can create distractions, or white noise, and can take your mind away from the task at hand. Clear surfaces, walls and floors of extraneous items. Only display what you consciously choose. Clean up your space every evening so that you return to a pleasant office each morning.

Related:Your Office Isn't Big Enough for Clutter and Productivity

2.把美学。

Create harmony with matching furnishings, draperies and colors that please your eye rather than distract it. Invest in a comfortable, yet functional, office chair. Add personal touches that make the office feel homey rather than institutional, like a decorative pillow, picture or lamp. Get rid of broken, dirty, or marred items.

3. Create and use systems.

Put systems in place to help reduce clutter and anxiety. Create color-coded files and folders to hold information. Establish a routine for when to check email, take breaks, block work time, and return telephone calls. Get rid of paper clutter by using a "touch it once" system. In other words, when you pick up a file or piece of paper, decide what to do with it, such as shred it, toss it, file it, or trash it. The "touch it once" system is designed to help you move paperwork to the next stage instead of endlessly moving it back and forth across your desk.

4. Add some personality.

Personal artifacts such as photographs, souvenirs, and decorative items are what make your home comfortable. Display items in your office that make you smile and remind you of loved ones and cherished memories. Place items or messages that inspire you within sight. Create an inspiration board containing pictures or images that represent whatever you want to be, do, or achieve in your life.

Related:5 Painless Steps to Eliminate Your Desktop Clutter

5. Bring nature inside.

Living plants, fresh orchids, a unique stone or seashell, or even an aquarium filled with colorful fish will add a touch of nature and bring the freshness of outside inside.

6. Brighten your space.

Proper lighting can make a dramatic difference in your mood, behavior, productivity and hormonal balance. Use natural light to your advantage whenever possible, or showcase your personality and enhance your aesthetics with interesting and functional light fixtures.

7. Nourish your body and soul.

Create a healthy snack bar in your office and stock it with some of your favorite items to eat, including mixed nuts, protein bars and fresh fruit. Drink your coffee from a special mug, tea from a china cup, and water from a decorative water bottle. Keep your favorite music on hand to elevate your mood or help you concentrate.

These little touches will be sure to turn an ordinary workspace into an extraordinary workspace.

Related:10 Questions to Ask When Designing Your Office

Jacqueline Whitmore

Author, Business Etiquette Expert and Founder of The Protocol School of Palm Beach

Jacqueline Whitmore is an etiquette expert and founder of theProtocol School of Palm Beachin Palm Beach, Fla. She is the author ofPoised for Success: Mastering the Four Qualities That Distinguish Outstanding Professionals(St. Martin's Press, 2011) andBusiness Class: Etiquette Essentials for Success at Work(St. Martin's Press, 2005).

Editor's Pick

Related Topics

Business News

Amazon Is Boosting Pay for Contracted Delivery Drivers—Starting as Soon as Next Month

The company is raising the average hourly rate for delivery drivers to $20.50 by mid-October.

Business News

'Worst Investment Ever': The 'Brady Bunch House' Sells to Real-Estate Enthusiast for $3.2 Million

The famous Studio City, California residence known as "The Brady Bunch" house recently changed hands from television network HGTV to California resident Tina Trahan.

Business Ideas

55 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2023

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2023.

Business News

'People Have Died Where You Are': Influencer Slammed for Photoshoot in 'Prohibited' Deadly Cave

El Tancón cave is located in Santiago del Teide in Tenerife, Spain.

Business Ideas

2 Grammy-Nominated Musicians Share What They Consider the Greatest Assets to Any Startup

From music to skincare, learn the unconventional journey of Mike Einziger and Ann Marie Simpson-Einziger.

Business News

Major Media Company Hiring Taylor Swift, Beyoncé Reporters to Go Backstage at Tours, Get 'Inside View' of New Music

USA Today and the Tennessean are seeking cultural mavens for the new positions.