It doesn’t matter if you work in the comfort of your own home, or if you commute to an office building downtown, decorating your desk or workspace is sure to make each and every workday a more pleasant experience.
If you work a typical 40-hour work week, looking at the same walls and desktop for hours on end can be both depressing and just plain boring. And, since you spend so much time in this area, it is only natural that you would want to dress it up in such a manner that you will be sure to find joy and inspiration from the space.
But, how can you really personalize and liven up such a small place? You may not have a lot to work with, but you can do a lot with the choices you actually have. As such, here are seven doable, easy office decorating tips that are sure to liven up your space and put you more at ease while you work:
1. Add Color with Creative Accessories
It is easy to inject some real personality and pizazz into your workspace with a little bit of color and perhaps a few nuanced patterns. How do you do that? It’s simple. A table lamp, stapler, tape dispenser, and a wireless mouse can be bought in a matching color combination or a distinct pattern. If you have a home office, you can even buy a chair in a similar pattern or shade for a uniform look.
The monochrome style can also extend to smaller accessories such as paper clips, pens, post-it notes, and a mouse pad.
2. Hang Wall Décor
There are many ways that you can decorate the walls of your home or corporate office. You can choose wall art that either matches your color theme or that you find to be inspiring to you on a daily basis. You can even frame quotes that you might find encouraging and hopeful. This is especially helpful for cheering you up when you are having a bad day.
You can also liven up your desk with personal photos of your family and your pets. These mementos will remind you everyday why you go to work and what you have waiting for you at home when you are done. These cherished family memories are sure to help you get through the afternoon doldrums.
3. Bring in a Plant or Fresh Cut Flowers
The easiest and most natural way to add warmth to an otherwise cold office space is to bring in some greenery.
Plants or flowers, even fake ones, tend to sway us toward a more pleasant mood when things are not going as planned. They may make you feel happy because they remind you of springtime and more pleasant days. You also won’t feel as cramped as you otherwise would in a tight space indoors under artificial light.
Real plants also provide fresh air and add a touch of life to an otherwise dull cubicle or desk. You will just have to remember to water it daily, and, if you are not near a window, you should choose a hardy plant that is not in need of direct sunlight.
4. Choose an Adorable Cup or Tumbler
Many of us start our work day with a relaxing cup of a favorite beverage, whether that is coffee or tea or even hot cocoa. Having a colorful cup, or one with a cool design, or even a motivational quote, is something that will not only decorate your office, but will also put you in a good mood to start your day.
While you may want to dial back on the caffeine, hydration is still very important for clear thinking and good health. Putting your water in a cup that either matches your office décor, or your unique personality, is sure to keep you running and put you in a positive mood at the same time.
5. Try Organizing with a Fancy Planner
Sometimes workplaces will provide you with a mundane planner to schedule each task that you need to do on a given day, as well as your overall to-do list. If that is the case, it probably isn’t the most glamorous planner that you have seen in recent times. It may be much better to purchase your own planner in a color or design that you like with a layout that you enjoy.
A really good planner will be designed specifically for your needs so that you can live a purposeful and meaningful life and enjoy an organized workday. There are designer planners that are both beautiful and functional. They serve the purpose of being your go-to source for workday and weekend planning.
Try finding a planner with goal setting worksheets and motivational quotations. Also, look for one that is built well so you can carry it with you wherever you need it, without it getting damaged.
6. Find Creative Ways to Organize
Organization sure does help with productivity, and this is for many reasons. Not only will you be able to find things faster if you keep your office best, but organization also reduces anxiety and helps to stimulate flow, the state where ideas come quickly and freely. That said, no one feels motivated to work in an environment that is an absolute mess, so having your papers and knick-knacks all over your workspace is sure to slow you down.
Having different containers and shelving on and around your desk is sure to be a great help in keeping everything in its place. There are multi-tiered paper trays, which you can use to organize filings into different piles, a holder for incoming and outgoing mail, a pencil and pen jar, and shelving that could be used to house books, notebooks, and files. It is also convenient to have either small boxes or some type of tray for paper clips, staples, tacks, and other small items that tend to get lost easily.
Another great idea is to have a cork board where you can hang important papers and notices that you may overlook accidentally. This is especially important for dated material. Just remember to enter those dates into your calendar and organizer.
7. Buy a Decorative Calendar
Your workplace probably also supplied you with a write-in calendar. If it looks anything like the typical type, it is probably white with all black lettering and numbering. But, why settle for boring when you can bring in a fun calendar of your own?
Choose a calendar that’s reflective of your personality or your hobbies outside the office. This could mean a calendar featuring your favorite sports team, your favorite musician, or even your favorite motorcycle! As long as the calendar is deemed appropriate for work, the sky is the limit as far as your choice.
In conclusion, whether you work in your own home, or an hour away in a sky-high office building, having a cozy, enlightening, and productive space is definitely key to being comfortable at work. Choosing colors and décor that reflect your individual personality and taste, along with positive thoughts and inspirational vibes, will give you the additional motivation that you need to truly enjoy your time at the office.
Share This Post