Six Safe Decorating Ideas for Your Workspace
We spend a lot of time at work, labouring away in our workspaces. Customising them a bit, by bringing some of our personality into them, can make them much better places to work in. But how is it possible to do this without damaging surfaces with tape or drawing pins? This article suggests some ideas of how to make a workspace your own and still preserve the integrity of surfaces.
By Belinda Osgood
I have worked in places where the company is very particular about what you may do to your workspace. Whether for reasons of aesthetics or potential damage to surfaces, as employees we are required to adhere to company rules.
With most traditional methods of decoration there is the potential to cause damage. Sticky tape has a tendency to lift paint, Blu-Tack may leave oily residue or lift paint, and drawing pins leave unsightly holes in walls.
Decoration Without the Damage
Here are some alternative ideas for personalizing your workspace:
- Magnets
Use magnets to dress up a filing cabinet. It could be a souvenir magnet from your latest holiday, or just something you like the look of from the local shop. My favourite option to use is a set of magnetic words, called magnetic poetry. These are brilliant for a writer or anyone who likes to play with words. Magnets also create changeable and interesting displays on whiteboards. Do not place magnets on your computer or any other electronic equipment. - Photographs
A classic photo in a frame is always a good choice for a workspace. However, if your desk does not have enough free room, do not despair. An old magnet or sticky magnet strip purchased from a craft shop can be adhered to the back. Then simply “hang” it on a filing cabinet. Alternatively, substitute Velcro, which has an adhesive back for the magnet. This will hold the picture nicely on any of the fabric-covered partitions used in some offices. If you do not want to damage the photo, stick the magnet or Velcro onto a light photo frame instead. - Children’s Paintings and Trinkets
Paintings done by children or small trinkets may be attached to fabric partitions using a dressmaking pin. - Cactuses
A cactus is an excellent way to bring in a natural element to your office. Preferring warmth and requiring little water they are perhaps the safest plant to have around documents and electronic equipment. Many shapes and sizes, even some that flower, are available for little cost. - Computer Décor
Turn your computer into part of your décor. Choose wallpaper and a screensaver to complement your personality. If permitted, family or holiday photos can be uploaded to your hard drive for a truly personalised slideshow. A small trinket or toy can sit atop your computer’s CPU, so long as it does not obscure any air vent. - Craft
Decorating your office space provides many opportunities for those with inclinations for craft making. Combine the love of making things with the necessities one usually requires on a desk. Make your own penholder, business card holder, or other useful desktop utility. Cardboard, papier-mâché, small cardboard tubes and glass jars can all transform into handy containers. Decorate with paint, stickers, interesting papers or whatever else appeals for something both functional and unique. The internet provides a wealth of project ideas, including instructions and suggested materials.
A friend of mine once worked in a space with an ugly metal beam from floor to ceiling. It created a wonderful canvas for a vast magnet collection –much more interesting and colourful to look at.
It is possible to create a personalised work area without compromising the surfaces. The first priority is to find out the company’s regulations as to what is acceptable. Then, with guidelines in hand, there is a way to embellish any area safely.
Workspaces do not need to be an impersonal part of our lives. We spend a lot of time there, so why not spruce it up a little with your own personal style?
Belinda Osgood is a writer affiliated with www.Facsimile.com, a website for fax machines.
