How to Decorate Your Cubicle
Go ahead and celebrate your individuality—just don't announce to the office that you're a lazy nut-job.
Up next in Office Survival Guide (57 videos)
Between crazy bosses and creepy coworkers, it's a wonder you get any work done at all. Here's a little help.
You Will Need
- Awareness of the messages you're sending
- And a little restraint
- Plants
- A clock
- A bowl of candy
- And personal mementos
Steps
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Step 1
No politics or religion
The first rule? Keep politics and religion out of the decor. You're at the office to do a job, not win converts.
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Step 2
Keep collectibles at home
Keep collectibles at home. You need to be able to spread out your work without constantly having to upend your glass menagerie.
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Step 3
Limit photos
Limit photos of friends, pets, and family lest your cubicle begin to resemble the celebrity endorsement wall of a restaurant.
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Desk photos that face outwards make the statement that family is important to you.
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Step 4
Buy plants
Buy some plants and take good care of them; studies show this sends the message that you are committed to your job.
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To follow one of the principles of Feng Shui, have an odd number of plants.
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Step 5
Get a clock
Get a clock. Contrary to logic, studies show it sends the message that you're meticulous and hard-working, not a clock-watcher.
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Step 6
Place mementos
Have a few sentimental mementos around, like the snow globe from the place you got engaged. They tell visitors that you are an agreeable person.
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Step 7
Put out bowl of candy
Put out a bowl of candy (unless, of course, you don't want colleagues dropping by). It's the office equivalent of a welcome mat.
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Step 8
Keep area tidy
However you decorate, keep your area tidy. Research shows employees with messy workstations are rated lower on agreeableness, conscientiousness, and intelligence.
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According to one study, too many sticky notes send the signal that you're overwhelmed by your job.
