When deciding on an apartment and later which rooms would be whose among my roommates I had one wish list item. A room with enough space for a desk. I've come to learn over the years that I am most productive (in the morning) when seated at a space designated for work. I knew that if I wanted to be able to come home and get work done and also manage to keep blogging as my teaching career begins that a desk was a personal non-negotionable. Fortunately, my room has enough space for a desk and it is my hope that this designated area helps me to continue to get work done despite not having the library in a mile perimeter (college, I miss you already).
In college I was a huge proponent of going to the library to do my work. My friends still to this day make fun of just how much I love Furman's library. The large windows, tables with plenty of space to spread out, and silent (and sometimes not so silent) camaraderie with everyone else attempting to get their work accomplished made it one of my favorite places on campus. Since I spent so much time in the library (read: spent hours there during finals week when I didn't have any finals because of how much I love it) I never truly had to make my desk space my go-to place for productivity.
Now, fast forward to post grad as I have just finished my first summer of grad school and am preparing for my first year as a fourth grade teacher and now, it is ESSENTIAL that my desk is a place for productivity. In addition to creating a space conducive for checking off to-do lists I wanted to make sure that my desk area was still cute considering it's in my bedroom. Naturally, I turned to PB Teen to look for some ways to upgrade my space in a functional and mature way.
Below you'll find five different items I used to help my desk space become a place I want to go to that is organized and functional.
The first thing I needed to figure out in my desk area (aside from the desk of course) was how to fill the space above it. In college, I used a desk hutch under which I placed a bulletin board. It didn't take long each year for my bulletin board to become filled with pictures and items from the events of each year. When I came across this Scallop Statement Pinboard I was sold. It is huge and will be the perfect place to house any inspiration that I want to save as well as photos, reminders to myself, letters, and mementos that serve as memories. Right now I have a long ways to go before it's filled but I cannot wait to continue adding items to it over time.
My desk chair was the next thing that could use some appeal. Since I was envisioning myself sitting here to accomplish work I figured I may as well find something comfortable. When I stumbled across this Navy Twill Tufted Desk Chair I decided that it would do just the trick. It feels like a living room chair but with wheels (and the ability to spin!) it makes you mobile from one part of your desk space to the other. The navy definitely gives the white initially found in my desk area some contrast which I love in addition to the comfort and support the chair provides.
Art
Having a giant inboard in front of my desk left the wall to the side of my desk beginning for something to balance it. When I discovered that PB Teen sold prints from one of my favorite artists, Evelyn Henson, I knew that was the perfect solution. This Framed Paris Print has soothing colors that look good with my decor with a subject mater that makes me take a mini vacation when I look at it. The size was perfect for this wall and I love that it's one of the first things you see when you come into my room. It wasn't until I started to hang up art the difference I saw it make in completing my space.
Having a giant inboard in front of my desk left the wall to the side of my desk beginning for something to balance it. When I discovered that PB Teen sold prints from one of my favorite artists, Evelyn Henson, I knew that was the perfect solution. This Framed Paris Print has soothing colors that look good with my decor with a subject mater that makes me take a mini vacation when I look at it. The size was perfect for this wall and I love that it's one of the first things you see when you come into my room. It wasn't until I started to hang up art the difference I saw it make in completing my space.
Does anyone else function better when you know you have a set amount of time to work on something? I think the reason this works for me is due in part to lengthy to-do lists not being categorized into time frames since I can never be quite sure how long a task will take. Having a visible clock with a timer is helpful when it comes to working on something as I like to eliminate all distractions and work on one specific thing for a set period of time. I'm not tempted to check my phone or suddenly get distracted by my computer since I am able to see how time is passing which in turn motivates me to keep working through something. Whether I set an alarm for 30 minutes or an hour knowing that what I'm working on has an end time makes me more efficient! It also didn't hurt that this New Covenant Garden Alarm Clock is so cute and the perfect color!
Last but not least, I can't function when my space is messy. Drawer organizers are helpful but I know that having stuff within my reach without having to dig through drawers helps me to stay on task in the long run. That is why I love this Classic Wooden Storage Caddy. With multiple compartments I am able to organize my pens and pencils while keeping notepads and other desk supplies neat and in one place. I also love that this caddy is pretty narrow which makes me feel as though it isn't taking up much of my valuable work space. I am a school supply junkie and if it weren't for something like this to keep it all together there is no telling what my desk may look like.
With back to school season upon us now is the perfect time to take precautionary measures to ensure productivity and give your desk space a nice little face lift. While I'm sure there will be many long nights spent at my desk in the year to come, hopefully I won't dread it and time won't be wasted due to the organization and inspiration I put in place now!
I'd love to hear if you have any tips for creating a functional desk space both in school and after!
This post was created in partnership with PB Teen. All opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that make Prep In Your Step possible.
Amazing decor for studying process!
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