If you’re like many nine-to-fivers, you spend a lot of time in your office. So why not make it a welcoming place where you feel happy and productive?
When it comes to decorating your office, ideally, you want practicality as well as beauty. You can take the essentials that every office needs and tailor them to your style with some cute office supplies. Create a space that you adore spending time in every single day. After all, no one likes to work in a dull cubicle.
“Design is a balance between form and function… it takes two.”
But you also want a space that is super functional, allowing you to maximize your talents and time. Here are five things that are essential to a great office, but can also be decorative and enjoyable.
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A great desk
You may not consider your desk a decorative piece, but it can truly make or break the beauty and functionality of your office space. Evaluate your space. How much room do you have to work with? What is the look and feel you’re going for with your office? What materials to you like? Metal, glass, wood?
Do you love a crisp, white desk or something a bit more rustic? Put some personality into your desk choice. Make sure you have a really comfortable and supportive chair to go along with your desk. You want to think about not only style but also your alignment. Choose both a desk and chair that will support your back and neck while keeping your computer at the perfect distance for your eyes.
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Lovely storage
Who says storage has to be boring? Storage systems are a great way to spruce up your office with color and personality. Baskets and crates are an easy option that will allow you to tuck away papers and other clutter-causing necessities.
Shelving units that house baskets look clean and keep your things within easy reach. Quality bookcases are worth the investment. You can move them around until you get them in just the right spot. Combine two or three to create a whole new look.
Arrange items on your bookshelves in such a way that they are visually appealing and make sure you leave spaces in between to avoid that cluttered look. Real Simple has a post for you on 22 Ways To Arrange Shelves.
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Illumination
The right lighting is so essential in your office, not only to create a bright look but also to help protect your eyes as you work. If you do not have a lot of natural light coming in, floor lamps and desk lamps can help bring illumination into those dark corners.
If you don’t have room for a lamp on your desk, consider a side table. And don’t be afraid to experiment with your light bulbs. Sometimes you don’t need a whole new lamp—simply changing out your bulbs for brighter, or softer, ones can make a huge difference.
View your light sources and arrange your office furniture to take the best advantage of the lighting you have available.
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Cork bulletin boards
Cork bulletin boards are a wonderful way to pin up your favorite quotes, pictures, and design inspiration to keep those creative juices flowing as you work. You can easily change out the elements depending on what projects you’re currently working on or your favorite colors.
You could even update your boards by season. Consider multiple boards. One for your personal motivation and one to collab with other members in the office. Cork bulletin boards are a fun way for office members to communicate and inspire one another in a low-key way. And do not forget to stock up on push pins.
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Plants and flowers
Plants may not seem like “essential” items, but they can make a huge difference in your mood throughout the work day and the air quality in the office. Just looking at the color green can help you feel calm and centered.
Some NASA scientist-approved air purifiers are ferns, palms, and peace lilies.
If you place your plants in a stand, they will be much easier to water and clean around. There is a variety of plant stands to choose from, so be sure to choose ones that match the style of your office for that extra decorative element.
Remember that the design of your office is about you. At the end of the day, do you feel nourished by your space?
Robin Siegerman puts it this way: “Design is about making people happy, either functionally, aesthetically or emotionally.” Even better if you can balance all three.
Café Quill has plenty more ideas on how to make your time at the office as productive and inspiring as possible, so don’t forget to subscribe and follow us on social media!