Designing the Perfect Personalized Workspace: What Works for Me (and Might Work for You!)
I’m pretty picky about my workspace—so picky that I can hardly tolerate a co-working space. I’ve even spent a lot of time (and money) putting together a travel workspace so I can stay productive on the road. My work involves multiple components at once—several programs, internet research, and five giant spreadsheets open at the same time—so sitting at a coffee shop with a laptop just doesn’t cut it.
I’ve likely gone a bit overboard, but I thought I’d share some of the things I’ve considered and incorporated into my daily workspace. Whether you’re setting up a full office or carving out a small corner in your home, having the right tools, a comfortable setup, and a peaceful, organized space makes all the difference.
Finding Your Space
During the pandemic, our house was packed—my sons (both college students) had workspaces in their rooms, my husband worked from our media room, and I carved out a spot in the dining room. It wasn’t ideal, but it worked because we were intentional about it.
Here’s my pandemic era dining room office
Your perfect workspace doesn’t have to be a dedicated room. It could be:
A well-organized corner in your living room
A cozy spot in your bedroom
A transformed closet-turned-office (“cloffice,” anyone?)
A creative workspace with an open layout, flexible seating, and space for artistic tools or brainstorming boards
What matters is thoughtful planning and organization to maximize productivity and minimize distractions.
During the pandemic, our house was packed—my sons (both college students) had workspaces in their rooms, my husband worked from our media room, and I carved out a spot in the dining room. It wasn’t ideal, but it worked because we were intentional about it.
Your perfect workspace doesn’t have to be a dedicated room. It could be:
A well-organized corner in your living room
A cozy spot in your bedroom
A transformed closet-turned-office (“cloffice,” anyone?)
What matters is thoughtful planning and organization to maximize productivity and minimize distractions.
The Design That Works for Me
Now, I have a lovely space that’s all mine, decorated exactly how I want. My designer encouraged me to keep it minimal while incorporating my vintage modern style preferences, helping me choose:
A desk setup under a window for natural light.
Blinds that go both up and down, so I can control lighting and even cover my monitors if I want.
Mirrors to make my tiny office feel bigger.
A background that looks great on Zoom and Teams calls—visually appealing but not cluttered and still shows my personality and style.
zoom view
Instead of a clunky ring light, I invested in an LED desk lamp that doubles as video call lighting. My little reading nook makes my office even more inviting, perfect for brainstorming or taking a mental break. The waterless diffuser is so nice to have in the office—it always smells welcoming. My Hue lighting allows me to change the feel of the room based on my mood and the light coming in from the window.
The Tech & Tools That Make a Difference
Before setting up your workspace, think about the kind of work you do. Do you need a microphone for calls or recording? Are you working with artistic or creative tools that require extra desk space? Will you be handling spreadsheets, video editing, or multitasking across multiple applications? Your workspace should reflect your needs and support your workflow seamlessly.
Multiple Screens & Ergonomics
I use:
✅ Three monitors—two in landscape mode and one in portrait for spreadsheets or social media. My husband chose a giant single curved monitor—whatever works for you!
✅ An X-Chair (pricey, but worth every penny). There are plenty of cheaper models, this was a gift and my husband tends to go overboard. Just make sure it’s as adjustable as possible. We added an acrylic mat since there’s still carpet in my office.
✅ A Logitech MX Master 3S ergonomic mouse—game-changer for my wrist and hand pain.
✅ A motorized adjustable standing/sitting desk—allows me to switch between sitting and standing throughout the day, improving comfort and productivity.
My dad always told me to invest in things that separate you from the ground—your tires, house, bed, and desk chair. That advice has served me well!
Streamlining Workflows
My iPad plays Dateline, 48 Hours, or Survivor podcasts while I work (hello, ADHD brain!).
My keyboard connects to my iPad, computer, and phone via Bluetooth, so I can type messages instead of tapping on my phone.
A charging station keeps my phone upright and powered for quick access.
Organization = Productivity
Once my space was set up, my organizer came in to declutter and optimize storage. Since I’m someone who needs to see things to remember they exist, she found ways to store items visibly without making my desk chaotic. Now, everything is intentional, pleasant, and helps me stay on track.
Looks like I need another visit from my home organizer! But I love the shelves we added to the closet.
My Travel Workspace
Travel Office set up - and travel includes working in my dining room sometimes. Ignore the makeup on my mouse!
Because I travel often, I’ve built a compact but powerful travel setup:
🖥️ A lightweight travel monitor powered by my laptop.
🖱️ A second ergonomic mouse (non-negotiable).
🔌 An extra laptop charger (because I always forget mine otherwise).
💡 A mini clip-on ring light for Zoom calls.
📏 A laptop riser—saves me from neck pain and makes me look better on calls. You can get inexpensive, lightweight fold-up ones that are easy to travel with. I really want to score one of the stands with built in docking capabilities.
💻 A laptop with a number pad so I don’t need to carry a separate keyboard.
It’s not as full-featured as my home office, but it’s enough to keep me productive no matter where I am.
Expert Insights on Workspace Design & Organization
Angela Aitken
Finding Function
"Decision fatigue is real. The more clutter in your workspace, the more mental energy you waste filtering it out. Think of your workspace as a tool—it should be set up to support your goals, not work against you."
“Nothing clutters up a workspace faster than a mess of tangled cords. Keep your desk looking clean and organized by using cord organizers, adhesive cable clips, or a simple cable box to hide power strips and excess cables. Labeling your cords can also save time when you need to unplug something without playing a guessing game. A tidy workspace isn’t just about looks—it helps you stay focused and stress-free while you work.”
Brittney
Creative Director of Design
Signature Styles by Brit
"The perfect workspace isn’t about trends—it’s about what makes you thrive. Be honest with yourself about where and how you work best. Some need color to spark creativity; others need neutrals to quiet the mind. The key is designing a space that works with you, not against you."
My reading chair, I just love this space! I’m still waffling on what to put on that wall, but Brit is working on it!
Final Thoughts: Make It Yours
Your perfect workspace isn’t about matching mine—it’s about what works for you. Whether you need:
✔️ A simple, organized corner
✔️ A cozy, inspiring setup
✔️ A tech-heavy, multi-monitor command center
The goal is comfort, function, and an environment that makes you want to work. And if you need help designing or organizing your space, find links my designer and organizer above.
How have you designed your ideal workspace? Drop your must-have items in the comments!
My work buddies have spots in my office.
