Although work is often where we're required to be our most creative, it can also end up being a major energy drain. Sometimes, something as simple as a corkboard covered in your choice of uplifting images or a filing cabinet in your favourite colour can be an easy way to rejuvenate your office and mindset. You can surround yourself with old maps, magazine covers, savvy storage containers, personal doodles, fabric swatches, potted plants, and just about anything else that visually motivates you.
Whether you’re a lab technician or a magazine editor, it never hurts to have some inspiration handy when you’re sitting at the same desk for the bulk of your day. So, scroll ahead for 13 ways to liven up your office ambience — and, hopefully, your attitude.
Let your idols do the talking with a simple setup of iconic images , sans board or clips , across a blank office wall. Not only will it help you keep a clean and creative atmosphere, you can easily switch up pics at your every whim to stay inspired throughout the day.
Photo: via @theworkspacestylist.
Go for a gallery wall instead of a standard scheme for a more polished approach to designing your workstation. In place of pinned pictures, frame your favourite prints — and pieces — salon-style for a stylish yet sophisticated desktop look.
Photo: via @honestlywtf.
Turn a neglected corner into an office epicentre by simply taping up an assortment of powerful portraits and quotes above your otherwise unpolished desk area. If you’re lucky enough to land a raw writing desk, even better, but if not, just sit back and let all of the stunning snapshots make a statement.
Photo: @kateyoungdesign via @workspacegoals.
A pale pegboard sprinkled with pretty gadgets and pictures creates the kind of serene scene our desk-daydreams are made of. Pick a crisp colour palette to keep things fresh but embellish with office tools for a real organisational edge.
Photo: via @amadamorada.
A little lighting and colour goes a long way when it comes to creating an inspiring scene at your desk. A bold backdrop accented with someelectrifying art or sunny string lights is sure to shine bright — even when you’re burning the midnight oil.
Photo: @electric_confetti via @apartmenttherapy.
Clean lines — particularly black and white ones — are simultaneously soothing and stimulating in a small area. Open up your office with a muted palette and fill in carefully withcompelling symbols and randombursts of colour.
Photo: Courtesy of Brittany Ambridge for Domino.
When devising your desk area, a well-placed gridiron offers a surprisingly savvy geometric advantage. Opt for an open-style grid that looks sharp for hanging pics but alsoprovides some unexpected additional storage space.
Photo: @kidsdesignlife.
All work and no play can leave you in a serious slump, especially when you’re in the midst of a long workweek. Create your very own inner-office recess with some fun seating (or a conference table !) so you can recharge at your desk at a moment’s notice.
Photo: @dudes_dutch_design via @workspacegoals.
Forget a measly mood board; how about a whole mood shelf for your office? Not only do floating shelves appear insanely chic, they give you the chance to incorporate cherished objects and other interesting artefacts into your desktop scheme.
Photo: via @chicoffice.
If the key to office tranquility is to keep things running smoothly, perhaps a streamlined workspace is really all you need to stay sane. A soft- but-sleek setup — speckled with straightforward speak — will surely offer up some solace, any time of day.
Photo: via @shift_interiors.
Take it from the Kardashians' personal decorator, Martyn Lawrence Bullard: T oo much of a good thing can be wonderful when decorating your office. For an extra pop of workplace positivity, try pairingremovable wallpaper with a graphic prints — but keep it subdued with a slim desk or clear chairs.
Photo: Brittany Ambridge for Domino.
What could be more inspirational than a work room with a gorgeous view? Move a modest desk under the biggest window you can find and let the natural light and landscape set an ethereal scene. Not fortunate enough to have a breathtaking office view? Don’t worry, we don’t either — but we’ve got youcovered there , too.
Photo: @miennasverden @workspacegoals.
Hanging up air plants and pics of leafy greens will turn your office into a nouveau nursery in no time. Plus, shrubs likesucculents are often relatively low-maintenance and have atrack record of improving workplace morale.
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