Want To Be Creative? Don't Ignore Your Physical Surroundings

Do you think creativity is all in your head? It turns out scientists have found that our physical surroundings impact our creativity.

Recently, I read the book My Creative Space: How to Design Your Home to Stimulate Ideas and Spark Innovation. The author, Donald M. Rattner, is an architect with a particular interest in creativity. He details 48-techniques backed by science and explains how to execute them.

I picked up the book because creative is one of my Core Desire Feelings. I'm always curious about ways to get more and better ideas. Plus, gorgeous photographs of creativity-inducing spaces illustrate the book. If you'd like to see what I mean by photos, visit the author's website to see some examples.

After I finished reading the book, I looked at my workspace and home to see what quick and low-cost changes I could make. The changes are still too new to determine if they helped unlock my creativity.

Here are some of the techniques and how I used them in my home:

Designate a creative space (Tactic #1)

I have a workspace that I found myself avoiding. Both my role as a Desire Map facilitator and as a writer require creativity. I decided to focus my attention on making it a place to spark my creativity. The books suggests using the space religiously, but also to consider your entire home as an idea lab.

Look at something blue (Tactic #2)

I already had a lamp with a blue lampshade, a diffuser in blue glass, a blue keyboard, and a blue mouse. I hung a scroll with a blue background. The background on my laptop screen is also mainly blue.

Work under a lofty ceiling (Tactic #3)

The entranceway to our home has very high ceilings, but I find the room cold, so I decided to stick where I am. The scroll that I hung with a blue background is a vertical piece of art, which also helps to create the cathedral effect. Plus, I have long drapes.

Take in the view (Tactic #4)

The view outside inspires in the summer when the tree has leaves but is dreary in the winter. Instead, I added artwork featuring the natural world, specifically gardens.

Display art (Tactic #5)

At first, I kept my walls art free as I intended the space to be both a yoga practice space and an office. The multi-use didn't work for me, but I never hung art. Today, I hung five pieces of art to spark my creativity in my workspace.

Think back (Tactic #6)

Display photographs or objects that remind you of memories. Some of the artwork from Technique #5 is photographs I've taken on trips or artwork purchased on vacations, so it fulfills more than one criterion.

Put your walls to work (Tactic #8)

I have a wall-sized calendar on one wall. The Right-Brain Business Plan by Jennifer Lee inspired this purchase. I also dry erase and Post-it easel pad on the back of my door.

Be flexible (Tactic #9)

Can my furniture move, change shape, or perform multiple functions? After years of living in small spaces in Japan, this is a technique I already employed.

I try to choose light-weight furniture or furniture with wheels so that I can move pieces around primarily when my office serves as a guest room. Both of my standing desk and printer stand table have wheels. My bamboo bookcase folds up or is small enough to stash in the closet.

My main desk is a stand/sit adjustable height desk. The stool I use with it also can adjust for me to use it to lean on or sit on.

Face your space (Tactic #10)

I used to have my space set up with my desk looking out the window, which left my back to the entrance. This is a no-no. Now I face the door and have a wall behind me.

Stand up for yourself (Tactic #13)

My adjustable desk allows me to spend time working standing. If this isn't possible in your work, the author recommends choosing hobbies where you stand.

Bring nature in (Tactic #14)

I do this by using natural materials -- bamboo and wood -- in the some of my furniture. My walls are painted the shade of green of the leaves of the tree outside my window. I skip indoor plants as I don't have a green thumb. Most of the artwork on my walls are also of nature.

Make noise (Tactic #17)

I prefer to work in quiet. When I worked in a shared office environment, I often used an app wit white noise or the sounds of a coffee shop. It turns out 70dB, what we hear inside a busy coffee shop, is a level that inspires creativity.

Pick up the scent (Tactic #24)

I have an essential oil diffuser. My preferred scent is citrus, which helps improve mood and mental tasks.

Make a fire or look at a picture of one (Tactic #29)

fireplace

One of my favorite places outside of my office to work is near the fireplace at my local library. Getting out of the house is tactic #47. I have a video of a crackling fireplace playing on my second monitor as I write this, which also works.

Have a drink (Tactic #30)

I skip alcohol to fuel my creativity, but a warm mug of caffeinated tea has the same effect.

Take a break (Tactic #37)

I used to feel guilty about doing laundry or dishes during my workday. It turns out that mindless chores fuel creativity. Guilt banished.

Go for a walk (Tactic #38)

I love to take a walk to boost my creativity and often dictate ideas while I walk. (This is also tactic #33, exercise.)

Pick up a pencil (Tactic #40)

Sometimes when I feel stuck, I step away from my computer and pick up a pen, pencil, and some paper.

Be alone (Tactic #45)

I prefer to work alone, so this is my default.

Read (Tactic #46)

I am a voracious reader and often get some of my best ideas from reading. This post is an example of that.

Which tactics will you use to boost your creativity?

I recommend reading My Creative Space to learn all the tactics and the scientific reasons behind them.

Top photo by Roberto Nickson on Unsplash. Whiteboard photo by Mia Baker on Unsplash. Fireplace photo by Pavan Trikutam on Unsplash.

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