Easy tips to make a quiet blogging corner

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Writing and maintaining a blog takes a lot more effort than people think, so it’s worth taking some time to create a special nook where you can be quiet and private while you create.

Rethink how you use rooms

Not everyone likes a desk, but it’s worth rearranging a room to fit one in if you focus better in a dedicated space.

This might mean clearing some space by moving existing furniture. You could, perhaps, manage with a drop leaf dining table that folds up small against the wall instead of a large piece in the centre of the dining room. Swapping would make more floor space so there’s room for easy access to a desk, especially if you prefer to have your back to the wall and therefore want your desk pulled forward a few feet to make room for your chair.

In the same line of thought, if you have a spare bedroom that’s fitted out for overnight guests, consider putting the bedroom furniture into self storage instead. Then you can turn the room into a home office which would give you the absolute best in privacy. With furniture in self storage, you still have it and can swap back for guests with not much effort.

An alternative is to make the room into an office/sitting room with a sofa bed. You’ll have somewhere comfy to read drafts and do some research, but also have a space for overnight visitors when needed.

Put up your own walls

Setting boundaries is important for a good work/life balance when you work from home.

Sometimes all you need is a psychological boundary to create a work corner. Putting up boundaries works for you as well as other family members because you know that’s the ‘workspace’, and somehow your mindset changes when you go to work. Other family members know you’re working too, and this can help them give you some uninterrupted time.

If you have small children at home, you might have to compromise to get them to give you time and space to work, but the promise of a treat if they give you ten minutes can work wonders. Just remember to follow up on the treat when they do as you’ve asked, or it might not work next time.

There are various ways to create boundaries in shared purpose rooms:

• Turn a bookcase out from the wall. Alternate the directions of the book spines so it looks acceptable from both directions, or use the shelves for printer, computer, or other work-related materials. If you have an open bookshelf, filling it with plants also makes a lovely room divider.
• Curtains. A discreet curtain that hangs against the wall can work in some situations. It’s quick to draw it across when you want some privacy, but easily pushes out of the way when it’s not needed.
• Folding screens or room dividers. Folding screens on castors can be wheeled wherever you need them, and the trellis features can become design elements if your decorating style matches.
• Furniture. Divide a long room with your couch instead of pushing it against the wall.
• Wall hangings. Whether they’re solid fabric such as tapestry or you go for a simple beaded curtain, it can be an effective way to separate one area of a room from another.

Shelves and storage

When all else fails, or even if you just like working in your favourite chair in the living room, make the space around you inspirational and uplifting.

• Have a storage side table with a drawer and shelves to hold pens, notebooks, or magazines.
• Hang your favourite images or motivating quotes on the wall around you.
• Choose somewhere with a power socket so your laptop never dies on you, and keep all your charging cables in the drawer at your elbow.
• Get comfy with cushions and a throw for when you feel chilly.

There’s no law that says you must have a desk to be efficient, although a lot of people prefer it. What’s more important is that your workspace works for you personally.

The best blogs look effortless. But there’s a lot of behind the scenes work that goes into that apparent ease. If you plan on making blogging a regular part of your life, spending the time to create your own blogging corner will reward you repeatedly.  However you do it, with the help of self storage or by arranging better home storage, you’ll feel more motivated and comfortable and be much more productive as a result.