I started my brand, spanking new job this week and am absolutely loving it! I work for a not-for-profit agency that focusses mainly on people with mental health issues and/or homelessness. I work on the mental health side of things, and have learned more this week than I ever thought possible in four days. My problem is, I have super sweet, huge, spacious cubicle that looks over the city through a floor-to-ceiling window. How is this a problem you may ask? Well, it’s a problem because my desk looks like this:
Photo credit: http://dearjanesample.wordpress.com/2008/02/12/cube-decorating-101/
BORING! Although I love decorating magazines and websites – why, hello Jessica Jones – I am not very good at decorating!! I think it comes from years of student homes where how many empty beer cases you had in your front doorway was more important than how cute your room was.
So I need you!!! How can I make my cubicle sparkle with fun, and not be so stark and boring??? I want it to say zen, happiness, and be a welcoming place for me to arrive at every morning and to bring my clients to.
Help me! What does your desk look like? What have you decorated it with to make it exude your personality and be an enjoyable place to be?
mom says you need pictures of your loved ones, a snowboarding picture, something from Freud, and a picture of your dog…(where you’re going to get that last one I have no idea. good luck though.-Lauren)
And she says inspirational thoughts and banners in green and yellow with a touch of red…not really red, more like a brick red, but a warm brick red. Something that feels like home.
You should totally get wall decals. Temporary ones, of course!
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I never really went over the top with decorating mine either, but I would definitely suggest some potted plants, especially if you’re going for that Zen feeling. And this isn’t really a decorating tip, but if you want it to feel a bit more personalized and feel more at home when you’re at work, collect a few items like having your own personal mug to drink from rather than using company ones. Maybe bring in a mousepad of your own with a cool photo on it.
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Ah. What I wouldn’t do for your office space. It is truly gorgeous. I should be thankful I’m not in a cubicle, but instead, I’m wanting a CEO suite with a view of the ocean.
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I read this yesterday but didn’t have anything constructive to add but today as soon as I saw the photo again it came to me: You need a plant! Maybe even a flowering plant that can add some life to the place? What do you think?
Congrats on the job Miss Leah. I think you need a bamboo plant. They are super easy to look after and bring good fortune, which let’s face it we can never have enough of!
I was going to say the same as fragile & Michelle, you need a plant. I had a plant in my office but not enough light came in to the door/window so it died. Hopefully yours stays alive. You also need a fun background picture for your computer.
I heard you called us yesterday, I’m assuming you liked your card/pictures!
Here at my desk I have a fake plant that also acts as my CLOSED sign, it’s pretty sweet because it never dies.
But I think you should get this:http://www.outblush.com/women/home/art-decor/the-sky-factory-luminous-skyceilings/ !!!!
The latest blog stylings of Micaela: Needing Cubicle Personalization Assistance.
I think that you should go to http://www.fathead.com and pick out your favourite pro sports player or disney character and it’s life size!
Hi!
I just started freelancing for this place that makes awesome “skins” that you can completely customize with your own photos, etc., and use them to cover your computer, blackberry, and all sorts of other great stuff–it’s really nice if you want to surround yourself with whatever inspires and motivates you at work!
http://www.skinit.com/blog
~kara, who is currently inspired by her excellent laptop skin of pictures of her last vacation
)
I agree, you do need some pics of the family and a yummy smelling candle! I always have candles burning when I a in my office. It motivates me and gives me a nice pick up.
A nice plant would be great too! If you do not have a green thumb, get a pretty fake one!~
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(is thinking, “I really should read other people’s comments before I make my own so I don’t seem like I’m copying someone else’s suggestion and trying to pass them off as my own ideas…) d’oh
Twinkle lights… just kidding.
How’s bout a plant or one of those water feature fountains that are small enough to sit on a desk? Some even come with candles.
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Well, at least you have a window on two sides to help keep you from feeling like you’re in a box. First of all, I would suggest a mirror so that you can see the entrance from where you sit at your computer. This is good for Feng Shui and it will help you feel less stressed. Choose soothing colors and add pictures of happy times for those days when it feels like nothing is going right.
The first thing I’d start with is adding a row potted plants above the hutch. You can research ones that require little water which would be perfect for that location.
Secondly, I’d add a picture to the wall area to the right of the hutch. If you want to match the furniture then I’d go with a colorful contemporary one. If you prefer one that suites your personality then it doesn’t matter whether it matches or not. A black and white family photo would be great too.
Sorry if I repeated others.
As a personal who suffers from mental illness I’d like to thank you for entering the field. We need more good supporters behind us.
Um… can I just have the CUBICLE, please?!?
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Thats so fun to get to decorate a cubicle!
Definitly something zen I would suggest is either a ‘Zen garden’, or a buddha statue of somekind, he is just such a happy fellow.
I also find it helpful to have words on the walls (either stuck on, or hung) like relax, or breathe for example, so then when you see them, you take a minute and subconciously/conciously breath.
First of all, thank you for your comment on my site! I’m so glad you found me since I’ve now been introduced to the wonderfully clever Five Blondes. As far as decorating a cubicle, my old boss once said, ‘Don’t ever decorate with more than you can fit into one big box’ (in case things go wrong you don’t want to seem like you’re moving out of a house). So that leaves pictures of loved ones (in classy, unique frames), and some pretty office supplies (you can find beautiful magazine holders, pens, journals, etc).
http://www.seejanework.com/index.asp
serious stuff… plaster topics are pretty sobering. In case you’re interested, here’s some neat information about used office cubicles I found helpful