Tips to Make Your 9-to-5 Home Your Own
Let’s face it. We spend hours and hours of the week at work. A lot of thought goes into making our home or apartment a beautiful and fun space, so why not our office or cubicle? Adding a few items can make a big difference. It can improve your mood, motivate you, and make you feel more “at home” in your space. Plus, it’s a great way to start conversations and showcase your personality.
Here are a few of my favorite ways to infuse a little of your own style into an office – and these work for even the most conservative office environments (just don’t go wild).
Quotes that inspire you. I love jotting down quotes that motivate me and hanging a few on my bulletin board among my contact sheets and goals. It’s a perfect way to have them close at hand. I change them out as I come across new ones, but my current quotes are:
We are what we repeatedly do; excellence is therefore not an act but a habit. – Aristotle
Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point. – C. S. Lewis
Unique decor pieces. Adding home decor pieces here and there is a great way to highlight a favorite hobby or give a peek into your decorating style. I found this funny vintage mug from the 1980’s on Etsy and fell in love. It’s the perfect pen holder.
I also snagged this Staffordshire pair off of Instagram from Sallie O Wright on Instagram (linked below).
You can find fun accents at places like HomeGoods, Jonathan Adler, Etsy, and more. Instagram is also one of my favorite places to shop. Here are a few of my favorite accounts at the moment:
The Opportunity Shop (also visit them in Georgetown)
Organize a few items into a tray so that everything looks neat, tidy, and contained. I love a good lucite tray. It’s an easy way to mix a little modern in with the traditional.
A diffuser with a light scent. I’m a big candle person, as y’all know, but sometimes it’s tough to have one in an office building. A diffuser is a great alternative. I stopped by Jo Malone (where I get nearly all of my candles) recently and they recommended English Pear and Freesia as a good office scent because it’s lovely, but subtle (so it won’t overpower a small space).
Frame a few photos. Another way to show your style is by adding a few framed photos. Silver, lucite, or black frames are a wonderful classic way to display wedding photos, family photos, and others from special events. Try printing them all in black and white for a cohesive look. I use MPix for most of my printing after a few of my friends recommended them.
Your awards and achievements. Naturally, your office or cube is a wonderful place to show your achievements – and they don’t have to be only from your professional life. Were you a top fundraiser for a charity that holds a special place in your heart? Frame your recognition and add it to your wall. As in your resume, you’ll want to phase out your college awards as you gain professional experience and accolades.
A place for healthy snacks. This is crucial for me since someone is always bringing delicious homemade goods or vendor gifts around at my office. Being able to turn to a healthier option is key. Store yours in a nice sea-grass basket in your bookcase or on the other side of your desk where it isn’t cluttering up your work space. You’ll be glad that you did.
Chic coasters. I’m a “multiple drinks at a time” person, so I always have coasters within arm’s reach (love these). This is especially nice if you have a wooden desk. Make sure that you have enough for anyone else who might stop by with a cup of coffee to chat. Taking care of guests isn’t just limited to hosting at your home.
Plants. If you have a window, stop by your local nursery and find a plant that will thrive in your office depending on how much light you have coming in. If you aren’t by a window, invest in a few succulents. You can also opt for a stylish pair of preserved plants (these boxwood topiaries are perfect).
What else do you use to style your office space?
This post contains affiliate links, but all are tried and true Magnolia Stripes favorites.
