Work-wise, few things are worse than feeling like a drone. Rather than adding lots of stuff, a few upgrades to your office staples will keep you interested and organized.
Plants: Having a bit of greenery instantly makes your cube less dull, and getting up to water your plants also gives your eyes a break from the computer screen. Pothos works well in my indirectly lit office, or you can try Sansevieria or a peace lily.
Pen holder: You most likely have a handful of writing utensils that need wrangling. At my day job I use a small pottery vessel in my favorite color and that was made by a former coworker. Find handmade and vintage options from Etsy, or seek out Marimekko's latte cups. The cheapest solution is to use a (cleaned) can and cover it with nice paper à la SusyJack.
Mousepad: You'll be using it all day, but its appearance is often overlooked. Check out an Etsy seller such as MirrorGirl or follow this easy tutorial to make your own with a $0.99 pad from Ikea. (On a similar note, make sure your setup is ergonomic by following these guidelines from the U.S. Department of Labor.)
Lamp: Overhead fluorescent lighting is pretty terrible. As an upgrade, find a task lamp that has some personality and a nicer glow (Image 1). Kristen recently rounded up ones that are under $50, and there are lots of other affordable options.
Calendar: Hanging art is a great way to personalize any space, but sometimes it's just not an option in an office. Instead, consider a desk or wall calendar that speaks to your aesthetic. In December Apartment Therapy rounded up calendars with mid-century modern style, travel themes, and great letterpress looks. From our 2010 Home Hacks, you can also try making your own perpetual calendar.
Do you have any decorative touches in your office?
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Oh how I wish my cubical looked that that first picture. I do have a red Swingline stapler, tape dispenser that looks like a cassette tape, cute pencil cup, and tiny coffee maker, but it's still pretty drab.
I wish I had the desk in the first picture. It would be great for my small apartment.
Sweet, I have that mousepad (in yellow & gray) AND that calendar. I love my desk space!
I have a red Swingline stapler too. And if they try to take it away from me, I'll burn down the building.
Where's the calendar in the first pic? I would need one for the wall and one on the desk.
does anyone know where that white desk is from?
Wow, I've apparently got this one covered. 3 plants, a vase repurposed as a decorative pen cup, 2 lamps, and (yikes) 5 pretty calendars. Only thing I don't have is a mousepad...but my mouse doesn't need one. Great list! Glad to know I'm on track.
I've definitely done this at my office - I thought that if it *looked* more like I'm a full-timer, I'll come out of temp status sooner.
Okay if I share my blog entry all about it? It includes pictures. The only things I've added are a couple more mason jars on the shelf and a calendar. I also have headphones covered in a bright red calico that I hang on the wall when I'm not there.
I had a coworker come by last week and tell me it looked like a general store. I'm okay with that.
Sigh. I work at a public desk shared by four people. We can't have anything personal (except a covered cup for water) because in a short time someone else will sit there with their projects... I'm moderatley tidy, but at least two of my co-workers love piles which they leave wherever they like... this includes my supervisor. It's always a disaster area.
anyone have any idea what the chair is in the first pic? looks great and like it may just be ergonomic...?
I wish I had a red swingline stapler.
I would tend to disagree about the mousemat. With a modern mouse there is often no need for one (surface dependant), and they end up looking like clutter.
I use a 3-tier condiment dish to hold different sized paperclips and binder clips.
Hi Everyone!
My office was the first photo shown and I wanted to answer some questions you had about it.
The desk is from Ikea. We purchased the tabletop separately and the legs are "vika inge" legs, but we painted them white to match the desk.
The desk planner shown is from Japan (bought on Etsy.com) and opens to a weekly calendar.
The chair is also from Ikea. It's called The Jerrik chair with arm rests and was a big pricey at around $450 each (here in Canada) but WELL worth it. We still have these chairs and they are very comfortable, fully adjustable and ergonomic. We couldn't be happier with them.
This photo was actually a mini-office update and we're in the middle of a whole office make-over this week. If you like, you can follow our blog at www.hindsvik.com for more photos or see more photos and details of this office set-up here: http://hindsvik.com/?p=3288
Opps, I meant a "bit" pricey, not a "big" pricey! :)
My office has:
4 plants of various sizes sprinkled around; a mousepad from etsy; glasses and small bowls from Anthropologie that hold my pens, paperclips, binder clips, etc.; supercute coffee cups from Anthropologie, pics of my dog and boyfriend, and a pretty flower calendar from Paper Source.
Oh, and a horrible fake wood grain desk.
Mouse pads are irrelevant in this day and age of optical mice. If you're still using a decades-old mouse that's got a ball underneath, you need to buck up. spend the $$ and get a new optical one. Welcome to 2011!
"Mousepad: You'll be using it all day, but its appearance is often overlooked."
Who uses a trackball mouse anymore?
Just an update for anyone that's interested, we've got an office "after" post with more photos up on our blog over here: http://hindsvik.com/?p=4061
So much for me has nothing to do with it being an optical mouse. I also have a shared work area, and the mousepad helps define the area in which to use it. It keeps me from getting too crowded.
where is the calculator from, in the first photo??