10 Creative Workspace Essentials That Boost Focus & Flow

Set An Ambience That Inspires

A workspace that unlocks creative flow and boosts your focus can change the way you approach your work and creative projects. A good workspace feels comforting and cozy, like an authentic expression of self. You look forward to your time alone in this space, eager to create and outpour all of the incredible ideas inside of you.

Plus, if you feel good about the space you’re in, you’ll feel more motivated to settle in for a while and take extra pride in your work.

Optimizing your workspace so that you’re the most creative, productive, and engaged you can be should be a number one priority. 

Below you’ll find Female Mind Unleashed’s list of favorite things for enhancing inspiration and maximizing creative energy.

Whether your workspace is at home, an outside office, or in a shared space with others, you’ll be able to incorporate at least a few of these items into your wise, wonderful creative flow.

When you do, you’ll see a boost in focus and creativity that will get you re-engaged in the soul-fulfilling work you’re doing. 

But remember, your dream space may not come together overnight. As with every good creative project, it will unfold over time and reveal more of itself to you along the way.

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Creative Workspace Essentials

1. Uplifting or Calming Scents

Scents are a tried-and-true way to wake up your mood and stimulate certain parts of your brain. Candles and incense are beautiful, sensual ways to add a little bit of fragrance to your creative workspace.

Zesty aromas like citruses and florals can turn on creativity. Mellow and musky scents like lavender and sage, cedar, or amber can be calming if you’re restless and need to focus. 

Palo santo sticks offer a wonderful, earthy grounding energy (and nostalgia, if you have memories of summer campfires).

2. Noise Cancelling Headphones

A favorite playlist is a must to get your juices flowing (try instrumental beats, chillwave, or coffee house jazz). But without noise cancelling headphones, you may find yourself more distracted than in flow.

A pair of noise-canceling headphones will help you tune out everyday distractions so you can optimize the time you have for your creativity.

With these Bose QuietComfort headphones, you may forget time and get lost in your work in the best way. Or opt-in for more portable (and affordable) earbuds if that’s your preference.

3. Journals For Capturing Your Ideas

One of the best ways to clear your mind of clutter and cultivate a blank creative slate is through freewriting. Even five minutes of writing, uninterrupted and without worrying about what comes out, can clear your mind and spark ideas.

In fact, it’s a recommended daily practice in The Artist’s Way, a book that’s helped millions of creatives unblock themselves (highly, highly recommended).

Keeping a vibrant, colorful journal on hand will also encourage you to write down notes and ideas as they come to you, whether in the middle of your work or as you’re passing by your creative workspace throughout the day.

4. Headache-Free Soft Lighting

Is there anything worse than glaring overhead lights that drain your energy and leave you with a headache? Decorate your creative space with small accent or floor lamps to achieve ambient light that won’t harsh your mellow.

Change up your lightbulbs to incorporate soft, yellow light for reading and work; it’s easier on your eyes than white bulbs. A dimmable nightstand lamp is a soothing accessory to add to your creative workspace.

This is especially important for work you do before bedtime. For extra positive energy and a touch of color, keep a Himalayan pink salt lamp on the corner of your desk.

5. Passionate, Inspiring Color Pop

If you’re going to be sitting in your creative space frequently and for long stretches of time, you should love being there. Spice up your spot with a pop of bold, invigorating color that uplifts you during the day and inspires you at night.

Use scarves to drape bookshelves and lamps or go bold with temporary wallpaper that you can easily replace to suit every creative season. Even a colorful waste basket can add a needed burst of energy to your space.

Deep jewel tones can help set a moody scene, vibrant primary colors are invigorating, while dusty earth tones are more grounding. 

6. The Best Air You Can Breathe

If you spend hours at a time on your creative projects or work, it’s absolutely worth investing in a small humidifier or diffuser. It will release a steady, soft stream of moisture into the air that will leave your space feeling refreshed rather than stagnant.

Your brain will thank you, too, because humidifiers can increase oxygen in the room.

Add a drop or two of a favorite essential oil to create an intoxicatingly wonderful environment that’s all your own. 

7. Goal-Setting Guides & Workbooks

There’s no better way to track and achieve your goals than through goal-planning. Even writing down a goal significantly increases the likelihood that you will reach it. So, invest in yourself – and your future successes – by picking up a weekly and yearly planner.

The Female Mind Unleashed goal-setting workbook will help you slay those bigger goals (like starting a business, making lifestyle changes, investing in your future and relationships).

It’s a beautiful, 5-star rated PDF download you can access immediately after purchase.

8. Comforting Amenities

A small artfully arranged amenity station at your desk can be a major mood booster. Think a favorite coffee mug (or two), rich moisturizing mini lotions, a few good magazines, or a selection of gourmet hard candies with a kick.

A set of encouraging affirmation cards can provide a mental break and extra motivation as you work.

Having a few items you commonly need – or want – on hand ahead of time will allow you to stay in your creative space with minimal interruptions.

Plus, we all know how good it feels to be well taken care of.

You can do the same for future you!

9. Little Green Friends

You can’t build the ultimate creative sanctuary and not include plants in your workspace. Those little green friends are experts at setting a cozy, relaxed vibe that will keep you feeling grounded and focused.

Plants can literally lower stress levels in the room they’re in. Plus, their easy-on-the-eyes aesthetic makes them a great excuse to break from your screen every twenty minutes. Get a few air plants (they require less water) or opt for a terrarium for a more unique set up.

10. Sustainable Peeper Protection

Do you spend a lot of your creative time in front of screens? The harsh blue light can be taxing on your eyes and totally zap your creative energy. Protect your peepers, minimize strain, and reduce headaches all at once with one quick solution: blue-light blocking glasses.

There’s an extra benefit if you like to burn the midnight oil. Studies have shown blue-light blocking glasses help preserve your melatonin levels so you can get a good night’s sleep.

Luckily, there are a ton of chic options that require no prescription.

A Creative Workspace That’s Authentic To You

Having a creative workspace that’s reflective of who you are is key to tapping in to your most authentic desires. You’ll look forward to your safe retreat knowing that you’ve thoughtfully put it together. Use the items on this list for inspiration, but don’t stop there!

There’s an infinite number of ways you can express your self in your space – let go and follow your creative flow!