Decorating Work Cubicles

by Giorgina Devereaux

Believe it or not, making your work cubicle as comfortable and attractive as possible while still keeping it in sync with the professional atmosphere is not that difficult to do. 

There are various things you can do to spruce up your work space and how elaborate you decorate depends on what is allowed within the workplace.
 

So say goodbye to those drab grey walls in your work cubicle and welcome an assortment of lovely decor that will bring a ray of sunshine into your work space.

Types of Work Cubicle Decor

Calendar:  Consider displaying a desk calendar or one that hangs on the wall that features something you enjoy or find inspirational, such as:

• 365 Days in Italy

• Angels on Earth Page-a-Day Calendar

• Ansel Adams

• Astrology

• Audubon Nature

• Baby Wildlife

• Bears

• Believing in Ourselves Day-to-Day Calendar

• Bible Verses Page-a-Day

• Cats

• Country Roosters

• Dogs

• Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff…And It’s All Small Stuff…Day-to-Day Calendar

• For Women Who Do Too Much Page-a-Day Calendar

• History Channel

• Insight from the Dalai Lama

• Messages of Peace

• Penguins

• Playful Pigs

• Purpose Driven Life

• Star Trek

• Vintage Guitars

• Vintage Posters

• Vintage Travel Posters

• What Horses Teach Us

• Wilderness

Computer Screensaver/Wallpaper Background:   If your company allows for this, you may wish to personalize your work computer with a screensaver and wallpaper background that contains uplifting images. 
 

These images will brighten your day because they are a constant reminder of things that we cherish and hold dear to our hearts. 

Consider uploading images of moments with family, friends, pets, as well as favorite vacation spots. 

Decorative Candy Dish:  Tempt fellow co-workers with sweet treats by displaying an attractive candy dish. 

Fill it with an irresistible medley of candy and chocolates and you will suddenly find yourself surrounded with plenty of visitors. 

There are a variety of candy dishes to choose from for decorating work cubicles, such as ones with a colorful design or made of clear glass. 

Decorative Mouse Pad:  One other way to add pizzazz to your work cubicle is to include a decorative mouse pad. 

Mouse pads have come a long way with regards to the different types of designs available and finding one you like will not be difficult.

Decorative mouse pads are available in the following themes:

• Birds

• Butterflies

• Cats

• Dogs

• Elvis Presley

• Fine Art Reproduction

• Marilyn Monroe

• Music Instruments

• Nature

• Personalized 

• Rooster

• Sea Chart of the Mediterranean

• Tournee du Chat Noir

• Van Gogh Painting:  Starry Night

• Wildlife

Decorative Wastebasket:  Throwing away trash doesn’t have to be an unpleasant experience. 

With a decorative wastebasket, you will feel right at home. 

There are a lovely assortment of wastebaskets to choose from in different colors and designs. 

Next time you throw away a piece of trash, take a moment to appreciate this fine detail you have included in your work space. 

Some decorative wastebasket themes/designs/colors include the following:
 

• Beacon Point Lighthouse

• Betty Boop

• Bronze

• Cheetah Print

• Country Cats

• Dots

• Floral

• Howling Wolves

• Leopard Print

• Pinecones

• Prince Tole

• Shabby Chic

• Stainless Steel

• Striped

• Vintage Style

• Western Cowboy

• Whitetail Deer

• Zebra Print

Lamp:  Ample lighting is important at work, especially when dealing with a lot of paperwork. 

Investing in a good source of lighting is well worth it because it could help prevent the onset of eye strain. 

Some office lamps offer an adjustable lamp head and goose neck arm, which provides flexibility for directional lighting. 

For purposes of decorating work cubicles, lamps are available in different colors and finishes to suit your taste. 

Magnet Board/Message Board:  A great way to stay organized is by placing a magnet board or message board in your work cubicle.  You don’t have to worry about losing important reminders again and if you prefer a message board, it will give you a place to jot down quick notes.

Magnet boards are available in an abundance of designs, such as:

• Beagle

• Bichon

• Border Collie

• Butterflies and Flowers

• Chocolate Lab

• Corgi Silhouette

• Dachshund Silhouette

• French Country Rooster

• King Charles Spaniel

• Jack Russell

• Maltese Silhouette

• Paris Postcard

• Pug

• Rome Postcard

• Scottish Terrier Silhouette

• Shih Tzu

The magnet boards come with several magnets, but you may also purchase more separately in different designs, such as roosters, fleur de lis, corks – just to name a few. 

Photo Frames:  One of the most enjoyable aspects of decorating work cubicles is framing those cherished photos of family, friends, and pets in a lovely picture frame. 

There are many different designs to choose from.  Some frames are available in a collage, which allows you to display more photos. 

Other frames are available in a double vertical frame, split double, and triple frame. 

You may also wish to consider using a desktop photo holder that features clips that won’t damage photos.  This allows you to display many more photos, which is a great space saver.

Plants:  Plants are always a fantastic way to add life to a drab area and also help clean the air.  If you prefer a real plant, consider choosing a smaller one since it will grow over time.  To avoid maintenance, opt for a faux plant.  Faux plants have come along way in terms of how realistic they appear.  You will be amazed at how you won’t be able to tell the difference between a real and faux plant. 

Quotes:  Another way to fill your work space with inspiration by decorating work cubicles is to display a quote that speaks to you. 

You may display a sign or a message that reads, for instance:

• Believe

• Create

• If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader – John Quincy Adams

• Imagine

• Live Well, Laugh Often, Love Much

• Light Tomorrow with Today – Elizabeth Barrett Browning

• The Future Belongs to Those Who Believe in the Beauty of Their Dreams – Eleanor Roosevelt

Throw Pillow:  Give your back ultimate comfort with a lovely throw pillow that features a design or a quote. 

There are many available and the designs are sure to add color and style to your work cubicle.

While napping certainly isn't allowed at work, this throw pillow may come in handy and provide some relief for those of you who suffer from back problems from all the hours of sitting still in your desk.

In conclusion, do not let your 8 hours at work go to waste.  Just because it's not a room of your own doesn't mean you can't decorate your space and let your inner personality come through.  Always check with your supervisor, of course, but decorating work cubicles offers a tremendous opportunity to express your creativity in a place that many of us spend more time in than we do in our homes.  Get to it!