Home Office Design Tips for Writers: Crafting a Creation Station

March madness has struck! My writerly pals and I are updating our work space and sharing the results of our labors this week in our Creation Station blog hop. Hopefully, you can find some ideas and inspiration, then visit the awesome bloggers listed at the end of this post, who also invite you into their work space.

Before we get started, the photo below shows my office space:

Readers of my blog know that my husband and I recently built and moved into our new home. After a tumultuous year, I was striving for serenity in my new digs. The colors are reminiscent of the beach which I find tremendously soothing.

My former house had an extra room dedicated to my office. It was Old World style with an over-sized dark wood desk, rustic colored paint on the walls, and built-in bookshelves. However, my life has changed drastically and we went from being empty nesters to a multi-generational home. (Which is working well – but that is a subject for another blog.)

As a result, now my office consists of a corner in my master bedroom which is also decorated in light, breezy, beachy colors. As you can see from the photo, while my old office had shelves and file cabinets, and a large printer stand, my current office is much simpler.

In today’s world of technology who needs bulky file cabinets and a chunky computer? I now use a lap top, and must confess, on a normal workday as a freelance writer, start writing in my bed, move to my desk, and end up in a cushy chair. Nonetheless, during the hours I’m sitting at my desk, I actually like this office better than my previous one.

As a full-time freelance writer, I wanted my office to not only be functional, but inspirational. I wanted a place that invites me to come in and enjoy the simple satisfaction and joy of writing. My home office is still a work in progress, but I wanted to give you a peek and share a few tips you can use to set up your own creation station:

It’s All About Location

Whether you write or blog full-time, run a business from your home, or write after-hours as a hobby, designate a special space where you feel inspired and creative. If necessary, it can be a small corner in a bedroom. Just make sure it is tucked away in a quiet area where you can think and won’t be distracted.

Surround Yourself with Inspiration

When I first started writing and was just starting to get published, I had a board above my desk with clippings, acceptance letters and even encouraging rejection letters to help me remember early accomplishments and not lose my passion. It worked.

So hang a few inspirational sayings, a beautiful painting, or surround yourself with photos that make you smile above your desk for extra motivation. I’m SO not crafty, but I wrapped an inexpensive bulletin board in gorgeous fabric and ribbon for this purpose. It was really easy!

Choose Pretty Accessories

Bring in furniture and accessories that demonstrate your style and personality. Start with a pretty chair and then add a pretty lamp for extra light, trendy notepads, a vase with flowers, or a decorative waste basket.

Add cherished knick-knacks like my Mom’s silk flowers and old pencil holder. Think about colors, textures, and items that will help your productivity and provide a sense of well-being.

Get Organized

This is especially important when you have minimal space. Use floating shelves on the walls for reference books, vertical file folders to keep important papers within arm’s reach, and a pretty basket to tame your mail, notes, and papers.

My organizer I use for this purpose  was inexpensive and purchased from Target. As you can see, it not only holds papers and files but also my printer.

So there you go. Hopefully, I’ve shared some tips you can use to craft your own personal creation station.

For more ideas and inspiration about writerly work spaces, please visit these #Gr8blogs today:

Auden Johnson

My Creation Station

Take a tour of this author’s muse station – which happens to be in her living room like many a writer – and her wonderful world building wall. Auden even includes a photo of her adorable dog, Oreo, who either serves as company or an obstruction.

Cat Michaels

Be Inspired with a Visit to my Creation Station

Cat invites you to come and get comfy as you take a look at her creative space. A lovely vintage maple hutch from the 1960s serves as display and storage unit for photos, office supplies and school visit material.  Love her eclectic mix of old, new, and tech. Cat even includes a video tour for your viewing pleasure.

Corrina Holyoake

Station Creation Blog Hop – Our Creative Spaces

After years of working out of her kitchen/dining area filled with an endless supplies of art materials, Corrina moved and was able to carve out her own little haven with a lovely calming vibe as she lives out her dream as an author and illustrator.

K. Lamb

My Corner of Imagination

This author shares her magical place in a comfy, leather chair that instantly transports her into a world of make believe where anything can happen. Her tips include surrounding yourself with a bit of whimsy, a time-out corner, a jar of jelly beans, and a fort.

Leigh Sherin, Writer

Starlight & Alchemy; The Anatomy of a Workspace

Leigh poetically describes her typical day bustling between family and farm life and squeezing in those creative moments that we all crave. “My little workspace is what I have,” she writes. “It cradles my visionary spirit, laying down a buffer to the reckless and breakneck outside world.”

If you have a blog about designing a work space, we’d love to have you post your blog link in the comments section below, and we’ll give you some blog loving!