Spring Cleaning: Refreshing Your Workspace

If you’re located in the Northern Hemisphere, spring has sprung! Per the Old Farmer’s Almanac, the spring equinox (also called the March equinox or vernal equinox) falls on Tuesday, March 20, 2018, at 12:15 p.m. EDT. And while many around the world may still be seeing snow rather than spring blossoms, it’s a great time to spiff up your indoor space with a seasonal clean-up.

As a company of mostly remote workers, we can attest that keeping a clean, orderly, and enjoyable workspace is the key to success. Whether you work remotely a little or a lot, we asked our team of global Mods for their tips to make the most of your remote office.

Here’s what they had to say:

What are the key features of your workspace?

“A window for natural light, desk lamp, and also snacks and drinks!” –Amanda P.

“My home office is surrounded by my art and pictures of my family. I have to have a good desk with lots of drawers. I have two boards on my wall for calendars and important information.” –Ebony T.

“I have a home office reserved for work on my sun porch so there’s loads of natural light and plants. It’s really nice and refreshing, especially when it’s warm enough to keep the windows open!” –Matt W.

Rooms with a view emerged as a key theme, sometimes even with a double rainbow.

How do you keep your workspace clean and enjoyable to work at?

“I keep everything organized by importance. If it doesn’t pertain to work or isn’t there to help keep me motivated, it gets put in a different space. For me, as a writer, I use doodle pads to jot down new ideas.” –Leandra M.

“I clean my space at the end of my last shift every day. To freshen up my seasonal style, I like to get some new screensavers and themes to look at.” –Jennifer G.

“When you work for a stretch of time, it gets easy to accumulate things around you, but if you take a minute or two to put things away, you’ll surely enjoy the lack of clutter.” –Debora F.

“At my desk, I keep my journal, notepads and pens, colored highlighters (to stay organized!), and usually at least one or two readily available caffeine sources nearby.”
–Cassie D.

What tips would you give to someone just starting a remote job?

“Dedicate an area of the house for just you, free of traffic and noise pollution. Treat the workspace as you would if you were working on location. It’s so helpful to create an area that is strictly for work and helps you stay in that mindset throughout your day.” –Mike P.

“Invest in a well-made chair and a comfortable headset as soon as you can; these are tools you’ll need to be successful.” –Olivia L.

“Use your office space only for work, keep it relatively clean, and try to surround the space with things you love (like plants, figures, art, etc.). This can help with keeping your space comfortable, which I find makes working easier and more enjoyable!” –Matt W.

“Set your browser up so you can easily get to the pages you need for work. I have several tools, dashboards, and sites I need to do my job. This way I can just log in to the tools I need and be ready to go.” –Ali S.

“Have something near your computer that makes you smile (an old ticket from the last concert you attended, a funny pic of your friends or family). If you need to take a moment to refresh your thoughts, have a look at your little smile-maker — it works wonders!” –Cindy Z.

So there you have it, tips and tricks from our Mod-tastic team to keep your workspace clean, organized, and a great place to be. Happy spring!