When you have a job that you’re set to be in for a significant amount of time, office décor is essential. After all, we spend more of our waking lives at work than we do at home, so it’s important for us to feel at home in our office spaces. Despite this, there are some clear dos and don’ts when it comes to decorating your own office space. After all, you don’t want to inconvenience your other colleagues; you need to remember that multiple people inhabit this space. So, you might not go so far as laying artificial grass around your desk; it might instead be a case of a few subtle touches here and there.
Food
Food at your desk is a controversial one; however, most snack-type foods are acceptable. After all, the workday can be long, meaning a drawer of snacks can be just what you need to get you through the day. So, do feel free to bring some candy, chips, chocolate, or anything else you like to snack on.
Saying that, don’t become the person that supplies snacks for the whole office. This will become hard to shake, and you’ll find yourself spending a considerable amount of money to feed other people. Similarly, you don’t want to overdo it with the snacks, as this can result in your desk becoming cluttered.
Decorations
If you’re looking to individualize your desk, do bring in decorations. From pictures to pinboards, there are a number of ways that you can decorate your section (with your boss’s permission, of course). A decorated office space can make all the difference to your work ethic, so do anything you can to make your space feel more productive.
On the other hand, don’t bring in anything inappropriate or start a collection of knickknacks, postcards, or magnets. These will only result in a cluttered workspace, acting as an inconvenience to yourself and your colleagues. Whatever office décor you opt for, you should always consider its impact on the ability to work.
Paper
Paper isn’t so much about décor, but it does make a visual impact on the space. Therefore, you should steer away from filling your desk with paper as much as possible. Post-its are acceptable, but in the digital age, there isn’t much need for piles of paper all over your desk.
So, don’t be the person with mounds of paper all over their desk. Not only does it make for an inconvenient workspace, but it makes you appear scatterbrained and unorganized to your colleagues. This isn’t exactly what you want in a space in which you’re going to need the respect of others.
Artwork
If you’re looking to inject some color into your workspace, calendars and other forms of artwork are a great way of doing so. They make your space look more vibrant, and they help convey your personality.
That being said, you should make sure all images are appropriate and non-controversial. You don’t want to unnecessarily put someone in an uncomfortable position or cause any riffs within the office.
Plants
Plants are perfect for bringing greenery and oxygen into the space. Similarly, if you’re not green-fingered, there are a number of low-maintenance plants that require next to no caring for.
Don’t be the person who leaves a dead plant in the office, though. Also, don’t be the person whose desk is so full of plants that you can’t see anything else. You won’t be able to work productively in a space that resembles a jungle. It’s all about being mindful with what plants you bring in, how you look after them, and how many you have.
