Office Music to Work By: Create a Rhythm for Your Workday

Part of creating an optimal home office is fine-tuning your work-at-home environment. Music is a great way to add just the right amount of stimulation to your home office and set the rhythm for your work

Ideally you should match the kind of music you listen to with the kind of work you do. When I am writing or doing concentrated reading I cannot listen to music with lyrics – my thoughts are drawn to the words in the music and away from the words on the page (or screen).

For very focused or analytical work you will benefit from slow, harmonious music with an even tempo,

There are more modern ways to bring music into your workday

played at a quiet volume.  This type of music can be soft jazz, Baroque, Bach and Mozart.

For more active work such as creative work, artisan crafts or physically repetitive work you may find a supportive rhythm in up-beat music with variations in tempo. You may find the perfect match in the expressive music of Beethoven, rock, reggae, disco and opera, played at a moderately loud volume.

A radio, iPod or MP3 player, or music streaming on your computer are handy sources of music.

If you work in a corporate office, then you can play your music very low, to not disturb your colleagues.

An overlooked benefit of music in your workspace – it can partially mask distracting background noise – even when played at low volume.

So during my workday I listen to quieter music, but when I am creatively cooking or doing the housework, I rock!

What kind of music to you like to listen to while you work?  Share your favorites as a comment below.

Learn more about how to fine-tune your home office or entrepreneurial workspace with color, lighting, and textures (as well as music) to support your personal work style in The Smarter Home Office: 8 Simple Steps to Increase Income, Inspiration and Comfort.