Whether it’s the corner office, a room in your house, or a cubicle, your office is likely where you spend at least half of your waking hours. It is common for people to design their living space to reflect their personal style. After all, it is easier to relax and enjoy yourself in a space you are comfortable in. But how many people spare a thought for designing their office space in a similar way?
It is true that it could be more difficult. Unless you have a home office and therefore an “in” with the boss, company policy can put a damper on things. If your personal style runs to pink, fluffy everything (hey, you do you!) then the suits in the corporate office might frown upon your plans. But regardless of where you work, there are ways to add personal touches of style and class to your work space.
Less is More
When planning out a space, you want to choose items that are somewhat timeless. What does this mean, exactly? It means you want pieces that are appealing to you now but that are also going to stand the test of time. You can’t be changing out your decor every year (or maybe you are independently wealthy and you can?) just to keep up with the latest trend. Those who installed shag carpet in the 70’s did not have this in mind….
Don’t be that guy. Instead, stick with clean, simple lines in classic colors and styles.
Silver and Gold
If you read that title and thought, “Wait. I don’t want my office to look like it’s trying too hard”, you are right. We are definitely not recommending that you paint your walls gold or something. (Really….don’t do that!) But silver and gold are classics for a reason. For one thing, between the two of them they go with pretty much anything. Gold goes best with warm, deep tones and silver pairs best with lighter colors like pastels.
Silver and gold have long been a symbol of grace, elegance and class. In fact, did you know that the ancient Egyptians viewed gold as a heavenly metal? And both silver and gold were viewed as supernatural substances because they would never rust? These days we attribute more earthly qualities to these metals, but they remain a symbol of power and class.
So how do you add them to your office? Simple: get some office supplies in a clear-and-gold or clear-and-silver theme. The clear parts serve to offset the gold and silver, allowing for just a splash of these classic colors without overwhelming the space. Of course, when you add a few classy pieces, be prepared to suddenly want to upgrade the whole space. While it isn’t always financially possible to do so, you can slowly upgrade piece by piece. Before you know it you’ll have a space you are happy with.
Appearances Do Matter
The important thing to keep in mind is that your surroundings really do have an impact on your mood and productivity. If you don’t believe me, just think back to the last time you were in a dirty subway or bus station, or worse yet, a dirty restaurant. Were you filled with confidence? Inspired to create? Of course not. You wanted to get out of there.
Now recall a time you walked into the swanky lobby of a high-class hotel. The difference is tangible. The constant low-level discomfort that comes from being in a dirty or strictly utilitarian space will start to drag down your mood. This, in turn, affects productivity.
So if you want to increase work output and increase creativity, surround yourself with beautiful things.
You can tell your boss it’s good for his/her bottom line!