Working from home has become increasingly common, leading many people to customize their workspaces. Personalizing your workspace can make it more lively and enjoyable, boosting both motivation and productivity.
Whether you prefer a minimalist design, some foliage on the side, or colorful LED lights dotted around your space, the possibilities are endless. Your creativity is your only limit.
Manila Bulletin Property Living interviewed individuals who showcased their workspaces online, inspiring and captivating readers with their creations. These examples provide practical tips and innovative ideas that can help you design your own workspace, transforming it into a place of inspiration and efficiency.
1. Japandi-inspired workspace by Kurt Garbo
Kurt Garbo is a fourth-year undergraduate student at Ateneo de Manila University who funds his workspace expenses through his passion for buying and selling sneakers.
As a fan of Japanese culture and architecture, he drew inspiration from Japandi, a blend of Japanese and Scandinavian designs. This concept is minimal and cozy, featuring products like a table and shelves from Albero, a Haworth Fern office chair from Kuysen, a Fractal Design North wooden computer case, and Kanto YU4 Bamboo speakers. All these items were chosen to prioritize the quality, comfort, and overall aesthetic of the room.
“By carefully curating these products, I wanted to ensure that the setup still had a touch of my personality and interests, such as art toys, anime, and design, while maintaining the same theme throughout,” shared Garbo.
One of the most memorable pieces in his setup is the white bear figure from Undercover, placed at the center of his arrangement. He bought it during his first trip to Japan with his girlfriend and family, which kickstarted his interest in collecting art figures, memorabilia, and souvenirs. Now, each item he collects holds a special meaning for him.
His advice to those who want to create and design their own space is to be patient. “Taking two years to create this space, I learned that patience is key. It’s important to take your time researching, saving, and investing in the things you love and enjoy.”
2. Deep Nordic color-themed workspace by Ernest Cinco
Ernest Cinco is a lifestyle and wedding photographer with his own company, Ernest Cinco Photography, based in Iligan City. In addition to his photography career, he is an avid competitive player of first-person shooter games like Valorant and Apex Legends.
His workspace setup began during the pandemic lockdown when he started experimenting with SketchUp, which piqued his interest in interior design. Themed around deep Nordic colors, he carefully selected pieces that would complement his desired aesthetic.
“It all started as a canvas. Depending on which component I added to the workspace, I would follow the color scheme. Since my room was being renovated and repainting it would have significantly increased my budget, so I opted for a deep Nordic color. Not only would this allow me to gradually add pieces to complete my ideal workspace setup, but it also enabled me to allocate some of my budget to the computer setup as well,” Cinco explained.
The workspace features wooden fluted panels matching his custom table specifically made for his gaming needs. His 24G2 monitor from AOC is mounted on the H80 Single Monitor Arm from North Bayou to provide more desk space. For his lighting, he has three light sources: a reused light bar mounted behind the monitor, a lampshade on the side from Mandaue Foam, and a monitor light bar from Xiaomi. He also has accent pieces dotted around his table, such as a digital clock textured with black wood from Shopee and A60 speakers from Creative.
Looking back, Cinco realized how his custom desk, made from plywood and glued vinyl tiles, would be the start of his remarkable workspace. As he reminisces on what he has done with his setup, he has this to share with anyone planning to design their own room.
“If you’re on a budget and want to build your own workstation, you don’t need to rush to buy everything to achieve your ideal space. Be practical about what to invest in next and predetermine your future expenses. Not everything you see on the internet should dictate your decision to rush everything for a Pinterest-worthy setup. Use what you have but don’t hold on to stuff that doesn't serve its function anymore. Stay frugal and stay practical.”
3. Synthwave-styled workspace by Mark De Luna
Mark De Luna is a graphic designer and social media manager in the health supplements industry based in Angeles, Pampanga.
With his love for the colors of the sunset—violet, yellow, orange, and red—De Luna incorporates these hues into his room. For him, even in a neutral-colored room, the addition of these colors can emit a different aura, evoking calmness and relaxation.
As someone in the creative industry, De Luna started designing his room because it helped him be more creative by working with tangible objects. He mentioned that during his young adulthood, he began to appreciate interior design, saying it “heals his inner child,” as he couldn’t afford to do these things when he was a kid.
“It’s different when the environment around you is good – the vibe, everything – it’s inspiring to work. And as a creative, it is important that when you’re very comfortable with your workspace, a spark of ideas will emerge,” De Luna remarked.
Looking at his workspace, his setup is influenced by the likes of Andres Vidosa and Justin Tse, turning a spare room in his home into his very own creative space. He has come a long way from using a foldable white picnic table to now having an electric standing desk paired with a solid wood tabletop. His love for motoring is also evident in the room, with a Lego Porsche 911, a California license plate from the movie “Back to the Future,” a Hot Wheels car, and a letter board saying “It’s lights out and away we go…” referencing F1 racing, all displayed around, sprinkling a bit of his personality into his room. He also has lamps like the Bauhaus-inspired mushroom lamp and the Varmblixt donut-shaped lamp from Ikea, as well as plants to make the vibe of his room more “homey” and to add a splash of color.
The law of attraction is key, according to De Luna, in how he achieved this workspace. “If you can’t afford it yet, the important thing is to manifest it. I always look at workspace setups on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and Pinterest and save those that I like until I get what I want. It’ll take time, trust the process and be patient. With a little bit of hard work and prayers, you can design your room one step at a time.”
By taking inspiration from these creative workspaces, you can design a space that meets your needs and reflects your style. Whether you prefer a minimalist setup, a room with rich, dark tones, or a Synthwave-designed workspace, the key is to make your area a place where you feel comfortable, motivated, and ready to work.