What kind of office environment do you have?
No one wants to work in a depressing cubicle that lacks any sort of inspiration. Design your respective space within the work environment—no matter how small it may be—into your own! Add personality. Decorate with flavor. Enjoy where you spend so many of your days. There could be a total genius inside of you that’s being inhibited by a boring workspace.
Of course, no two office environments are the same. You may be operating in a coworking floor, a private office space, or even working from home. Design and decoration ideas may differ greatly depending on your set, so we’ll cover each type so you don’t feel left out.
Shared Office Space Decorations
Hang up some art, quotes, and graphics
If you’re going to be sharing the same space, it’s important to make your space lively! Invest in some artwork or other visual, whether it’s inspirational, informational, or just light-hearted. Xcite Prom, a Novel Coworking client, set up their space to feature some words of encouragement and teamwork on one wall, and have a wooden map of their other locations on the other wall.
Add a mini accent wall
For a pop of color as well as a boost in productivity, you can install a colored glass writing board. Anything from photos, stickers, and magazine cutouts to goal lists, notes, and ideations can be stuck on to it. If you prefer a more decorative route, forget the board and throw in a chic art piece or framed poster that matches the overall theme you’re going for. The accent wall can be painted, which is allowed and even encouraged at Novel Coworking.
Show off your company logo
Be proud of who you are and what you represent. It will serve as a reminder of your end goal, whether it be in the short or long term. Moreover, a hanging logo will spread awareness by presenting your brand to the others working in the shared space. Novel Coworking allows brands to completely customize their office door however they please.
Small Office Decorations
Choose a color palette
Do you work better in light colors with pretty pastel accents? Do bright colors help jumpstart your day? Find a palette that isn’t annoying to look at all day every day. A classic choice consists of neutrals that have a strong emphasis on white as the foundation. It’s timeless, clean, and the perfect base to match any other workspace addition.
Check out a related post we wrote: How to Create an Engaging Workplace.
Buy a desk or floor light
This has two awesome advantages. First off, chances are that your eyes are completely strained by the end of the day. A little extra light can make a huge difference. The type of bulb and shade matters too—consider bright, soft, or maybe even natural lighting. Secondly, the lighting can create a heartening feel, as if it’s the sort of lamp you would adorn your home with. It should be in the style that makes you feel more like you.
Bring life to your workspace
Having a few plants can go a long way. Take it from someone who’s bad at keeping plants alive—succulents are easy! Greenery is refreshing to be around, especially in a private office environment. Flowers are beautiful without requiring much work either. However, they do have a shorter lifespan, needing to be replaced quite often. Other forms of life, like goldfish or beta fish, are great to have as well. Believe it or not, they’re as easy to take care of as the plants are.
Office Desk Decorations
Set up a dual display
Sometimes one screen just isn’t enough. Consider creating a set up that allows you to use an external monitor with your laptop, or use a dual monitor computer. While it may take some getting used to, we promise that you’ll become a productivity master in no time.
Keep it simple
You don’t need any fancy sculptures or organizers on your desk. Sometimes the best thing you can do is to just keep it clean and empty. Taking the minimalist approach helps you remove clutter while keeping your mind clear and stress-free.
Use the essentials only
Maybe the zen approach is too bare-bones for you. Some people need the basic office supplies to get through the day, like staplers, post-it notes, scissors, and paper dividers. Pick only what you need every other hour, then put everything else away. Congratulations, you now have a lean and efficient workstation you can use.
Remember- this is your space. Embellish it however you believe will keep your creativity flowing. Curious to read more office design tips? Check out our previous posts on boosting productivity through office redesign, and office layout do’s and don’ts.