Forget the incandescent lighting and the pushpins, decorating your office can be fun, and it can also enhance your performance. In fact, a recent study conducted by the University of Exeter in the United Kingdom, claims that when in control of your office look, you are 32 percent more productive. It also helps increase the overall quality of your work.
Yet, keeping your office trendy can be more than just adding a few picture frames on your desk.
Here are six decorating tips to sprucing up your work décor.
Keep it Fresh and Clean
If your office feels cluttered, your work will feel cluttered. Try maximizing on desk drawers and make it routine to clean your desk every Friday. A schedule will help you stick to the plan, and besides, you don’t want to be the source for feeding the company mice, right?
According to a study at Ohio State University a clean office space is inviting. The study looked at therapists’ offices and how clients interpreted the space. Top-rated offices focused on softness and order, often rating the room based on if it was comfortable, nice, clean, warm and inviting.
Avoid Making it too Homey
Studies show that people sleep well when they take out the distractions in their bedroom – no television or books. By simply making it a place of rest, you in fact, will rest better. The same can be said for the office. When decorating your workspace, it’s OK to add a personal touch or two, but over personalizing it with photographs (and make sure they’re not of your wild vacation last summer) and other garb can really boggle you down. Other quirky things like toys or knick knacks can also take you away from the task at hand. It’s not exactly the stuff you need to propel you from become the next employee of the month.
Have Fun with your Space
Researchers at the University of Exeter in the UK have conducted a series of surveys and experiments to determine how control over workplace design affects employee satisfaction and performance.
They found that workers who were able to decorate their own office space were 32 percent more productive than those working in a space that was not decorated at all. Moreover, the increased quantity of completed work was not associated with a decrease in quality.
Keep it Light
Believe it or not, but scientists say lights make you happy. A bright mood can start with a bright environment, so don’t hid behind the window shades. The American Lighting Association recommends people safely use extra lights – no a million – but a few to help keep the positive energy flowing. Essentially, exposure to bright light triggers the brain to release serotonin, which is a stimulant. Remember, happiness comes at a price. Your boss won’t want to pay for the 20 light bulbs at your desk. Use them however you see fit, and also try to go for a softer light setting. A lamp shade can help disseminate the light without being too harsh on your eyes.
Simplify the Art
A painting, a color board or scenic picture can be an excellent addition to your wall. Just keep in mind that when you decorate, less is more. Again, avoid things that are too personal – pictures of a crazy night out may have you daydreaming about happy hour. Yet, a nice, simple piece of art may be the perfect way to add color to your room and give it a little personality.
Warm up your Walls
The walls of the room help define everything your office is about. A dark color can make you feel a little too drab, while strictly white walls are boring.
The Pantone Color Institute recently released a color palette for the season, and top fashion and interior designers around the world use it. To add a little life to your office, steer away from distracting colors and opt for sensible trends. Two of the best colors to paint are a khaki-colored “Tidal Foam” or a “Grayed Jade.” These tones will bring warmth to the room.
“The expression ‘balancing act’ is something we all relate to as we strive to find harmony in the frantic pace of our everyday lives,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, in a press release. “This season’s color palette emphasizes this need for balance, while at the same time allowing for individuality, self-expression and excitement.”
For a copy of the Pantone Institute color palette, go to: http://www.pantone.com/downloads/support/FCR/PANTONE_FCR_Spring_2013.pdf
Written by Mary Sue Knoll. She is a top rank executive for a private company. On her down time, she loves decorating and reinventing the look of her office.
