Lifestyle Workspace

My top 12 survival tips for working from home.

Little-Big-Bell's-workspace-2-photo-by-Little-Big-BellBlogging about design, interiors and all things colourful is my passion.

Since I spend a lot of time in my workspace at night and on weekends, I thought it would be fun to compile my top 12 survival tips for working from home. So here it goes.

Tip number 1:  Surround yourself with inspiration.

Creating a happy environment to work in, has a positive impact on mood and motivation.I have surrounded myself with colourful designs and art work that inspire creativity.Oh-Joy-for-Target-vase-photo-and-styling-by-Little-Big-BellTip number 2: Bring the outdoors in.

Don’t get stuck in a rut, from being indoors. If you can’t leave, then try injecting some outdoor freshness into your workspace with sweet smelling floral blooms and candles. These gorgeous Hydrangeas in a pretty vase were picked from my garden and that Lime and Bay candle from The White company is always a winner.Desk-organisation-workspace-photo-and-styling-by-Little-Big-BellTip number 3 : Keep organised.

File things away to keep the workspace clutter free. A clear desk begets a clear mind right?

I must admit my hospital work desk is not as pretty as this, probably because I don’t spend much time there, rather I’m running around the emergency department, seeing patients.

At home, I have organised all my receipts into colour coded paper envelopes. I’ve slotted them into a gold letter holder I bought from the U.S this Summer. All will come in handy for when I next do my tax returns.
Target-Sugar-Paper-desk-rack-photo-by-Little-Big-BellTip number 4 : Switch off from the digital world for half an hour.

This is tough but I do try to switch off from the digital world every now and then. I spend this time reading magazines.

If you have writer’s block or just feel uninspired, take a break and browse through books and magazines. You never know, it may help spark an idea.

I keep my favourite magazines close by, in this gold and white file holder.Dell-XPS-13-photo-by-Little-Big-BellTip number 5: Jot those ideas down.

I keep lots of sticky note pads on my desk, for scribbling down unexpected ideas and reminders of things to do.Colourful-pencils-photo-by-Little-Big-BellLots of pens and pencils for the jotting.Bando-journal-2017-photo-by-Little-Big-BellTip number 6 : Start your ‘next year’ journal.

I keep organised by planning ahead.

As well as recording my meetings on my iphone diary ( with alarm activated), I like to have a separate paper diary to plan out my blog post dates and to remind me of important events.
Marie-Kondo-books-photo-by-Little-Big-BellTip number 7 : Have a cuppa!

A cup of tea to refresh or a coffee to keep awake and conquer those blogging deadlines.

I bought this pretty handmade mug from a pop up shop called Sundaze Collective in Portland, Oregon.Scandia-a-colouring-book-by-Zeena-Shah-photo-by-Little-Big-BellTip number 8: Keep a colouring book on your desk.

I’m sure you have all seen the trend for grown up colouring books?

Colouring for me is so therapeutic and at times meditative.

I love this book called Scandia, by my friend Zeena Shah. Its folk inspired patterns and illustrations to colour,transports you to the wilds of a Scandinavian wonderland. Libratone-music-in-workspace-photo-by-Little-Big-BellTip number 9: Listen to tunes.

Music keeps me company when I’m working alone. I love listening to You Tube compilations whilst I edit photos.  What do you listen to as you work? Quin-dreams-come-chew-photo-by-Little-Big-BellTip number 10: A jar of candies.

A sweet little treat every now and then to keep you going is harmless right?
Honey-tubes-photo-by-Little-Big-BellOr maybe some honey sticks for your tea?Donut-cushion-from-Arro-home-Little-Big-BellTip number 11: Sit comfortably and stretch.

Sitting for long hours can be uncomfortable. I tend to do light stretching exercises every 30 minutes or even just go for a walk around the house.

I love this super cool donut cushion by Arro home. It’s so comfortable to sit on and seems to take the pressure away from prolonged seating. Obviously this is not what it’s meant for, but it works for me and so cute to look at too don’t you think?Workspace-1-inspiration-Little-Big-BellTip number 12 : Have a great laptop.

I work from my Dell 13 inch laptop. Do check out my Dell XPS 13 review here. I love it for its portability, sleek design and clarity of image.

Top-tips-for-working-from-home-by-littlebigbell.comHope you have all enjoyed my top 12 survival tips for working from home. If you have your own tips to add, I would really love to hear about it in the comments. Have a wonderful day all.

( All photography and styling are by me, Geraldine Tan, editor of Little Big Bell. This post has been done in collaboration with Dell, but all opinions are my own).

22 Comments

  1. Lovely suggestions. As I work from home also I will be putting them to use. Would love to know where your diary for 2017 is from 😉

    • littlebigbell

      Hi Vanessa! The diary is from Ban.do. I got mine from America, but I’ve seen them been sold in Oliver Bonas in the UK too. x

  2. Thank you for sharing! I am inspired by your Instagram feed – we share the same penchant for colour! Some great tips here! I’ve just recently launched my business from home, and love the ideas you’ve incorporated!

    • littlebigbell

      You are most welcome Alana.What a beautiful website you have and I can definitely see our similar passion for colour. x

  3. Great tips Geraldine! I’m just setting up my new home office area so its fab to get tips and inspiration for how I’d like things to be xx

  4. Oh I would NEVER leave home if my workspace looked like yours! What a beautiful home you have, full of inspired ideas. I agree totally on the flowers and candles tip, I have both always in my home.

    • littlebigbell

      Thank you so much Karen. Flowers and scented candles are definitely an essential. In fact, we have flowers and burn candles all around our home. My secret luxury 🙂

  5. Some great tips Geraldine. I think I do most of them although I haven’t quite started next year’s journal yet haha. x

  6. Great tips and what an inspiring work space. Glad to find someone else who loves colouring in!

    • littlebigbell

      Thanks Rachel. You should take a look at Zeena’s colouring book, it’s so cool and colouring in is just so therapeutic. x

  7. I want all the things on your desk! So cute and colourful

  8. Some great tips, I totally agree that it helps to have a clean inspiring space from which to work from, I also like having my desk next to a window so I can gaze out if I’m stuck for inspiration x

    • littlebigbell

      My desk is right next to the window too. I agree, sometimes we can find that much needed inspiration outside. x

  9. Great tips, Geraldine. It’s really good to have a reminder to stretch as it can be hours before I realised I haven’t moved a muscle x

    • littlebigbell

      The stretch is definitely the most amazing feeling ever after sitting a long time. In fact, I’m off to stretch now 😉

  10. Fantastic tips Geraldine. Although I think your workspace is a little too inspiring for me. I’d spend all my time admiring the art work and pretty little things you have and wouldn’t get any work done lol. It’s just so pretty.

  11. Fantastic tips! I adore hydrangeas and so agree that flowers are a great mood booster! Love your colourful workspace 🙂 xxx

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