someone I know has the most beautiful cubicle!
she got lamps at Target and everything with a hot pink, modern feel, the second you round the corner and see her space it's transformative.
Her key to success is on strong accent color and clean lines and minimal clutter.
Good luck!

A couple lamps can make such a big difference! It makes it feel more like a home office than a work office. And of course a few picture frames are nice to make it feel more homey as well.

I work at home, but my husband did a great, simple transformation with an ikea lamp, and he printed up one of his own photos really large, and framed it. Between the two, he was always getting compliments on his office.
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/50029162

I enjoy placing a framed landscape or antique map on the most distant wall facing me for a place to rest my eyes. When I need a little break from my monitor or need to let my mind wander a bit looking at a representation of an actual place is both relaxing and interesting.

Plants
Artwork
Framed personal photographs of family & friends
Personal mementos from vacations.

Those are the things that are in my office.

Amvolpe, is there any way you can take a pic of the hot pink cubicle? And others post photos too!

Make sure you know the rules of the office, I had a job where the 5x7 picture of my dog was too big!

I don't have the original source of this, but I recently read that there is a certain level of decoration at which your manager's perception of your seriousness/professionalism will change for the worse.

Chris S is correct. Perceptions can make or break you in some industries.

Consider limiting your decorations to one small framed photo and perhaps a lamp of your choosing. A colorful pashmina folded neatly on the back of your chair can double as a pop of color as well as offering warmth when a lack heat or too much a/c leaves you chilled.

For the walls, I love big pretty maps (especially antique). They look cool, are interesting from both far away and up close, and also seem more serious/professional than other types of art.

I agree that too much decor/tchotchkes can seem unprofessional, but don't forget you can always snazz up the office basics a little bit--like pen cup, mousepad, etc.

Perception is everything at work so steer cute of cutesy and go for polished. Any color scheme can work as long as it is put together in a professional way but with some of your personal flair.

I have the same project for myself. I found this link and really like the "wallpaper" combined with fabulous lamp. Hope it helps to inspire.

http://www.stylenorth.ca/blog/2008/06/pimp-my-cube/

Nice desk accessories, a plant or a regularly freshened bouquet of live flowers, minimal art. Not too much decor, all tasteful and sophisticated. Understated is better at work -- you want to look like your focus is the job.

Your office should reflect your personality and there should be some artwork that can get a conversation started. Small framed works of art, maybe an etching and a black and white photograph or a small color collage would be good. The Artists Gallery at Fort Mason has a range of original work by Bay Area Artists. Look for the big Warehouse Sale in May. Prices start at $50.

I would first pay very close attention to how other employees in your firm have decorated (or not) their offices. When people walk into your office, they should probably ONLY see employee of XYZ firm, not Susie who loves pink and collects giraffes and goes white water rafting blah, blah, blah. Unless you work in a creative field, the office is not the place to express yourself. Unfortunately.

Definitly plants but only if you can keep them alive. I always get compliments on mine.

I just got a similar promotion, and was wondering the same thing - congrats Tanner! My plan is to keep it simple with clean lines, but have little creative pops where they won't make too much splash.

I like the idea of bringing in some lacquer office accessories. They're much more sleek and stylish than your run-of-the-mill metal and plastic. Jonathan Adler has a few things that could work, and I've also seen whole collections of lacquer accessories made for the office.

http://www.jonathanadler.com/Lacquer-c-529/

(....Of course, this really depends on your budget. The other lacquer collections I've seen weren't nearly as expensive as JA. I'll try to find them.)