Playing to your five senses is a great way to increase creativity and become more productive in your work environment.
This is the fourth week of the $100 Room Challenge. Usually this is final makeover day, but since this January has five weeks, you’ll have to wait until next week for the big reveal. Instead today I want to share some ideas for engaging your five senses, that will in turn help increase creativity and productivity in your work space.
If you are coming here for the first time you can find all the weekly updates here:
Increase Creativity in the Workplace
Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5
This post contains some affiliate links (that means if you make a purchase after clicking a link, there’s no additional cost to you, but I will earn a very small commission. ) Click here to read my full disclosure policy.
Sight
Obviously a neat room with everything in it’s place helps our concentration, and keeps us from being distracted. For this makeover I’ve done the cleaning and organizing which has been a huge improvement, but a couple of other things that will help me in the future is the overall aesthetic of the room.
Using cohesion when decorating a space is a good way to unite the room together. One way I’ve accomplished this is by creating labels in the same color and font for all of my boxes. I also covered some of the boxes with brown craft paper, and tried to keep a neutral color scheme overall. (Brown paper bags from the store turned inside out work too).
Also, there are several pieces of wall art in the room. While I was cleaning I found this really nice friendship wall hanging. Unfortunately the red frame does not work well with the other art which are black, gold and wood. The easy fix is using rub n buff 
One last note about sight. Having good lighting is important for productivity in the workplace. Task lighting, for creating and writing, and natural light is a must for photos and overall wellness.
Smell
Aromatherapy is alive and well, and is no longer considered a pseudo-science. Having an essential oil diffuser in your office is a good way to boost your energy and mood. There are many affordable electric diffusers
Sound
Listening to music can make the time fly by. You can use a simple wireless speaker
Touch
Keeping a comfortable temperature in your office is key to a good work environment. Having a fan when it’s hot, or a little space heater on cold days, will keep you feeling good and you won’t look for excuses to leave the office. Another idea, and this one is especially true for me, is having living plants in your work area. Not only do they provide texture and beauty, they clean the air of pollutants to help keep you healthy.
Taste
Lastly, is our sense of taste. Having healthy snacks nearby and keeping hydrated, will help you stay focused on the task at hand. Flavored seltzer water and raw almonds are my favorites to have around while I’m working. What are your go-to treats?
Budget Update:
New Cyclamen plant (I couldn’t resist) ……. $4.99
Add $86.32 from week 3 ……New Total = $91.31
………… leaving $8.69 left for another plant. 😎
Next week is the Big Reveal! I can’t wait to see everyone’s completed spaces. But for now let’s see what they’ve been up to:
Carole says
Patti – That cyclamen is beautiful, their one of my favorites and I agree with everything you’ve shared. I really like your clay pot diffuser, brilliant! This room challenge has been my inspiration and I can’t thank you enough for sharing the journey. As you know I’ve been working on my new video/craft space and it’s almost done. Can you believe a craft space for a minimalist? I might have to share when I finish.
Your budget is impressive and I love how you’re bringing attention and value to the elements that make this space it’s own. Kudos this is fantastic! Carole
Patti Estep says
Hi Carole,
Creating anything in a minimalist fashion is a huge feat as far as I am concerned. I would love to see what you come up with and I know many others would too so definitely share your new craft studio.
Wendy says
These are all great ideas! Especially important to me is light. It makes all the difference.
Nicki Parrish says
Wonderful tips, and I can’t wait to see the reveal, such pretty plants too!
Emy says
I love these tips! I’ve never heard of coffee shop ambience. So funny! I prefer podcasts when it gets too quiet. 🙂
Roxanne says
I love what I’m seeing so far, I can’t wait to see it all next week!
Meredith @ The Palette Muse says
What a great way to think about how your sense affect your creativity! I need to take a new look at my office and see what I can tweak. My go to’s are coffee and chocolate but almonds and seltzer water sound a lot healthier!
Beth says
These are great tips- so many things I had never thought of before! I keep hearing so many good things about the benefits of essential oils and aromatherapy. I think I need to get a diffuser 🙂
Erin- Lemons, Lavender, & Laundry says
Had to click over to hear the coffee shop chatter… that is so fun! I think coffee shops just might be one of my favorite places to be 🙂 Great tips on getting those creative juices flowing! Can’t wait to see this space next week for the reveal!
Meg Green With Decor says
Such fun ideas! Love those wireless speakers!
Melissa says
I love the brown bag coverings and how neat and organized everything looks. And I couldn’t agree more with all your suggestions. Especially music! Pandora and a wireless speaker make any task better! Can’t wait to see your whole reveal!
Shelley says
Great post! I love aromatherapy too. It was one of my New Year’s goals to slow down and use my diffusers and candles more. Anxious to see your finished room next week.