How To Personalize Your Office (But Still Be Professional)
Let’s face it. We spend a lot of time at work. And we need to be at our best while there so that we’re productive and content.
If you spend all that time in a space that’s not inspiring - or worse, drags you down - it’ll take its toll eventually. Same goes for working in a space that’s not set up properly to be comfortable and organized. A cluttered space leads to a cluttered mind.
The good news: it’s easy to personalize, organize and decorate your office space so that you’re energized and productive -even if you work in a cubicle!
The trick is to not go overboard with decorative and personal items. You’ll want to keep your work space dedicated to work and professionalism while also making you feel “at home”.
So go ahead and bring a box of nice things to your office. OK, it may not make you want to do double overtime, but I bet you’ll smile each morning when you arrive!
8 TIPS FOR DECORATING YOUR OFFICE
Keep it professional.
Don’t go overboard on the really personal items, and make sure to keep work front and centre. Inspiring artwork or a motivational quote works. That honeymoon photo of you and your spouse on the beach in your swimsuits? Probably not the best idea.
Keep it clean and functional.
Don’t clutter up your office space with too much stuff. Keep your desk surface and your floor space clear of clutter, papers and piles of books. Make sure that your space functions well for sitting or standing ergonomically at your workstation, and that it’s easy to get in and out of. Also try to set it up so that it’s easy for others to pop their head in or sit down and meet with you.
Make it healthy.
One of the best ways to decorate is naturally - so you can add beauty and also something that will enhance the health of your office space. Plants work wonders for this. Pothos, aloe and jade plants are all great options as they remove toxins from the air and are easy to care for. They also thrive in lower light situations. Here’s a list of 11 easy-to-care-for air purifying plants.
You can also freshen the air in your office by using a Himalayan salt lamp. It purifies plus it gives off a nice warm glow, making your space feel cozy and homey.
Make it comfortable.
In addition to a good desk chair, you might want to have a comfortable back or butt pillow and/or throw hanging around so that you’re more comfortable in it all day. This also gives you an avenue for bringing in colours and patterns you love and that can add a bit of personality to the space.
5. Light it right.
Overhead fluorescent lighting in most office spaces can be harsh and unwelcoming. Consider adding a desk lamp with softer lighting so that you can see well what you’re doing and also create a warm vibe that feels more like home.
6. Put up some art.
It might be one nice piece of artwork that you love, a framed inspirational quote, or perhaps a cork board with a few photos, postcards or sayings that bring you joy. Artwork is a lovely way to make your space more personal and beautiful but still be professional.
7. Put out a few photos. Maybe.
You can certainly personalize your space with photos of the family or your dog. But keep them tasteful and limit it to 1-3 photos. Keep in mind that this is a work space so the predominant focus should still be on work and productivity.
8. Accessorize.
Add items that are functional but also personalized to your own style and taste. You could:
use a funky mug or a vintage jar to hold pens and pencils
employ a beautiful bowl for paper clips
use an antique box to hold business cards
put your plant in a ceramic planter in your favourite colour
bring in a lovely vase for fresh flowers
use a textured woven basket as your in-box tray
use a basket or bin as a phone charging station to help hide ugly cords
bring in your favourite mug for coffee or tea at your desk.
I hope that personalizing your office or cubicle brings you a little more joy and ease during your long days at your desk. To take it even further, you might like this post on creating a calming, healthy work space.
