Make Mine Eclectic

My Office and Easy Tips

April 6, 2009 at 12:14 pm (Inspiration, Tid Bits) (bright, calm, cheap, colors, decor, decorate, help, ideas, inexpensive, Inspiration, keep, muhammad ali, office, organize, paper, personal, pictures, posters, printer, professional, red, simple, work)

We did do work at home over the weekend, really.  But, the snow on Sunday (snow!?) hindered us from accomplishing too much.  I will have a few things to show you later on in the week, but for today I am going to show you my work office. 

When I started at this job one of the first I thought about was how to dress up my first personal office.  I wanted to create a fun and unique work space without spending a bunch of money.  Of course I was not about to go out and buy new furniture, but I do have a few simple and very cheap ideas for dressing up the drab office.  Although you may not be able to produce your dream office with a space that you don’t own, you can make it a comfortable and productive space!

1. Posters.   Not the priciest artwork, but good enough for a work office.  I hung the Keep Calm poster as you enter my doorway (Yup, cliche maybe, but I still love it!).  I also hung an inspirational quote from Muhammad Ali on the opposite wall.  These were so fitting as I work in a hospital as a medical case manager.  And, they give me some color, but stay in the basics I love!

2.  Use your printer.  I made these blah magnets cute by printing a sheet of white paper with a paisley pattern.  I cut the sheets down to the size of the magnets and glued them on.  I then covered them with clear plastic tape.  I also used paper to fill the letter opener magnet.  The other side of the desk is a sheet of paper I printed with the Chinese symbol for “happiness.”  I have a few printed quotes around the office as well.  These are cheap enough to switch out once in a while too!

3. Paper flowers.  I wanted to add some brightness to my office, but am horrible at caring for plants.  So, I made paper roses with tissue paper.  I stuck them in a thrift store vase and now have flowers all year round. (the candy is a crowd pleaser as well)

4. Organization!  Staying organized is the simplest, cheapest way to keep an office space looking its best.  I have some open shelves that I make sure are always orderly.  This is also a good time saver.  I always know where things are and never have to hunt!

5. Personal but professional.  A nice touch to an office space is something personal.  But, remember to keep it professional.  Too many pictures or tchochkes can make an office space cluttered and unprofessional.  I have some pictures hung and framed in my office, but only ones that I don’t mind if clients see.  I have a magic 8 ball on my desk for those real tough decisions as well ;).  My desk top is also an example of keeping organized.  And, the calendar is a free printable version from calendarsthatwork.com.  I love these, as they look cute and are simple instead of busy!  Also notice my mouse pad and pen.  Little touches that were inexpensive!

Hope these simple ideas help you with your office.  Mine is just like my home, always changing.  Enjoy!