Spruce Up Your Office Environment

Your walls are drab. Your cubicle looks like everyone else's. You feel like an automaton when you enter work every morning. Your workspace is empty and hollow. There's no reason why your office space should be so sterile and antiseptic. By infusing it with your personality, you can make your workspace, where you spend most of your time, as comfortable as your own home.

A photo collage is one of the best ways to personalize your office space. Take several photos and arrange them on a tack board or under a piece of glass. One of the great things about photo collages is that you can update them on a regular basis. You can add photos of a new baby or the breathtaking landscape from your last trip. This kind of exposure can be hard on your photos, so don't choose those that are most precious to you.

Lighting is often the most culpable factor in creating a sterile environment. Overhead fluorescent lighting, frequently the cheapest way to light an office, can generate many problems. It can create glare on computer screens and is often prone to an irritating flicker. Bring in a lamp from home with a decorative lampshade to light your workspace. You could even think about making the switch to full-spectrum lights to help chase away winter blues.

Living things are always good for your environment. Most workplaces don't allow pets, but plants or flowers can be a great addition to your office space. These provide a nice contrast to the functional design of most offices and can actually help clean the air. You can watch them grow and change as you care for them. Many plants that are aesthetically pleasing do well under fluorescent lighting. As conversation pieces, they can often serve as a minor distraction from the routine of a workday.

While your personal space is probably most important, don't neglect to think about how you might enhance communal space at your workplace. This will require you to work with others, including your supervisors, but it can make the entire office more welcoming and hospitable. In particular, think about making changes to the entryway, as it is the first impression you receive every morning when you arrive. Think about rearranging a break room to make it more inviting or personalizing hallways, which are often neglected. Being an active agent at work will help give you a sense of ownership and authority.

Many employers are concerned about creating a professional and competent atmosphere at the workplace. Appearance at every job is important, and some employers do have restrictions on what an office can look like. You can often circumvent these constricting rules by keeping personal items in your desk. Why not line your desk drawers with a fabric that you like? Or put personal fun items like stuffed animals or silk flowers in a drawer?

Many employers would be willing to negotiate with their employees about acceptable office decoration. Most understand that happy employees are more productive and will be willing to make allowances so that their employees are as productive as possible.