7 Tips for Personalizing Your Office Work Space

 As adults, people spend most of their waking hours in their offices, so it is important that they feel comfortable and like the place. Personalizing the office space also reflects the personality of the individual and sets them apart from their co-workers. While there are as many ways of personalizing an area as there are people in an office, all decorating should be done keeping basic courtesy for co-workers in mind. Additionally, it is important to not lose track of the fact that it is after all a workplace and any decorating done should maintain professionalism.

1. Keep It Clutter Free

One major thing that has the most impact and makes a work place inviting so one actually feels like sitting there and working, is for it to be organized and clutter-free. While the basic office necessities are usually provided, it may be necessary to get things like desk trays, pencil holders, additional folders or files, or even a small clock. These things will organize a desk, give a professional look and provides one with the opportunity to select according to one’s own taste. So, whether one chooses an expensive leather desk set or a simple colorful one with amusing anecdotes on it, is entirely up to the individual. The idea is to have a place for everything on the desk and keep it organized. It is not just a matter of aesthetics. Out of 52 Wall Street CEOs polled, 51 say they tend to promote employees with clean desks.

2. Add A Plant

Adding a slow growing plant gives life and color to an otherwise mundane workspace. Depending on the amount of space available, one can group two or three small plants on top of a cabinet or a single larger one placed on the floor. Choose one that accents the space, not overpowers it. If investing in plants is not in the cards yet, just break off a few healthy shoots from a money plant growing at home, add water to any container, place the shoots in, and it is good to go. This will require the minimum of care – just change the water a couple of times a week and it will give the same soothing effect as plants.

3. Maintain A Pleasant Aroma

If the office is a cubicle or a room with no window, it may get a stale smell. Keep the workplace fresh and pleasant smelling. Imagine walking into a dentist’s office and think of how it smells – definitely not inviting! An Australian dentist baked fresh muffins for his patients daily and found that, along with other changes, it increased his income ten times. Taking muffins to the office may be a bit extreme, but a couple of strategically placed candles or a light diffuser can do the trick, as well.

4. Keep It Cool

Even with air conditioning, if the office is a cubicle or a room shared with other people it can get stuffy and warm in the summer. If there is the need to feel a little cooler or just to circulate the air, keep a stylish little portable fan to maintain the comfort level. If one is comfortable, the work production increases.

5. Display Family Photographs

Family photographs make for easy personalization of the workspace. Again, it is not necessary to display every relative under the sun. Just keep it simple and tasteful; select one or two medium-sized photographs, to be kept on the corner of the desk. Photographs serve as a gentle reminder that someone is waiting at the end of the day. Some artwork created by a special child can also be framed and used in place of photographs. Be selective in what is displayed, so it does not clutter the work area.

6. Try Posters and Wallpapers

A few other simple additions really perk up the workplace. A motivational quote or a statement of a personal mission on a bulletin board is a nice addition and makes for good inspiration. Wallpaper and screensavers go a long way towards dressing up the computer, together with a personalized mouse pad. Just keep the decorative items in line with the atmosphere of the workplace.

7. Add A Candy Dish

Finally, a little candy dish adds a nice touch and gives co-workers a reason to drop by and say hello.

All the things mentioned above gives an office a professional, yet personal, look and feel.