Your office is likely where you spend most of your time during the week. Whether it’s a home office, a cubical, or a high-rise overlooking the city, it’s important to make the space feel comfortable and specific to your needs.
Adding wall decor is a great way to enhance your workspace and keep you motivated to clock in every morning. If you have a clutter-free and relaxing office, you’re more likely to get your work done and stay productive instead of feeling tired or unmotivated when lunch rolls around.
Before you start decorating, it’s important to remember that in small spaces, less is more. If you have a shared workspace or a small room, consider using two or three items instead of filling in every empty spot.
This prevents the area from feeling cluttered, overwhelming, or stressful. Keeping it simple will help you relax and stay on budget! Here are a few ideas to get you started.
1. Add a Unique Clock
Adding a unique clock is always a great idea for a workspace. It’s functional because you’ll likely need to keep up with the time throughout the day, and it’s a great way to show your personality and style.
Finding an antique clock at a thrift store or ordering a specific style online can bring your design style to your workspace. If you have a small area to work with, choose a large clock to cover the wall. This prevents you from spending any money on additional decor while still adding a fun and unexpected element.
If you have a large space to work with, you can choose a modest size clock and add other elements around it to compliment or contrast with the materials.
2. Incorporate a Fun Calendar
If you have deadlines and tasks that need to get done throughout the month, it’s important to keep up with a calendar. To make it interesting and keep your space unique, you can choose to use an unexpected calendar and have fun with it.
Try using a glass window and a dry-erase marker to keep up with your important dates and to-do lists, or use a large black-and-white calendar to put a chic twist on keeping up with your dates. If you’re crafty, you can even make your own out of wood or any other material that adds texture and interest to your workspace.
3. Create an Accent Wall
If you have the freedom to change and update your office space, consider creating an accent wall. This is the perfect option for those who work from home or have an entire room to themselves as a workspace.
Creating an accent wall draws your eyes and attention and allows you to create contrast through color and texture. If your walls are white, consider a dark blue or dark green color paired with tan or neutral candles, lamps, or decor.
The dark color will add a calming element to the space, and the neutral accents balance it out and prevent it from feeling too moody. You’ll love having a dark and calming color to look at during the day, and the additional accents will make it even better.
4. Add Color Through a Painting
Consider using a large painting to spice things up if your space lacks color or personality. Whether you’re working from a cubical, a shared workspace, or at home, this is a great option.
Choose a painting that has interesting and unexpected colors, and then use one of the colors to add additional accents and decor to match. An abstract painting with orange, for example, introduces the bold color and allows you to use throw pillows, blankets, and coffee mugs of the same color to tie everything together.
It’s a great way to turn a boring space into an interesting and unique area to get your work done. You can even make it subtle by using a painting with light blues and greens instead of a bold color and achieve the same outcome!
5. Install Floating Shelves
Consider floating shelves when you have items like candles, plants, and picture frames that you want to display but have limited desk space. They give you extra space on the wall, can match any design style, and are simple to install and take down.
You can use the rule of three and keep things simple by pairing a candle with a picture frame and then using a small plant on the opposite side. Your space will still feel clean and clutter-free while adding beautiful accents and decor.
6. Incorporate Unexpected Patterns
When you have a workspace with plain white walls, it can get boring and prevent you from feeling excited or motivated when working. To combat this, consider adding unexpected patterns through wallpaper to add character and fun to the space.
You can make any room feel like an industrial office by using wallpaper that looks like old brick or keep it fun and modern with an abstract pattern. If you like the farmhouse look and feel, you can even choose an option that looks like shiplap to add a rustic charm to your space. This is a great opportunity to add your personality and personal style to your workspace.
7. Create a Vision Board
Whether you’re working at your dream job or trying out a new career path, it’s easy to lose focus and motivation over the years. Creating a vision board and placing it on the wall you’ll primarily see while working is a great way to stay on track and remember what’s important to you.
You can keep it as simple as using a corkboard and hanging motivational quotes and pictures of your dream vacation, or make a collage of personal notes you write to yourself. Since it’s a personal vision board, you can make this however you want, as long as it brings you joy and motivation when you see it!
8. Add Candles
Adding candles like lavender, eucalyptus, rosemary, and vanilla to your workspace can actually help you relax. These scents are calming, helping you release work-related stress and get through even the longest days. Placing the candle on a floating shelf is a great idea because it keeps it off your desk and out of the way.
If your workplace doesn’t allow candles, consider choosing a small oil diffuser. These can still give your space the same great scents without using an open flame!
9. Install Wall Holders For Succulents
Adding greenery to your space is a great way to help you relax and feel connected to nature while getting your work done. If you have limited space, you can use small wall holders for your plants, making a beautiful feature for your office.
Using succulents is perfect for this space because they don’t need constant attention or maintenance and come in many shapes, sizes, and textures. You can even have fun with this idea and use holders that look like stone faces, making the succulents part of their hair. It’s a simple addition that could help you smile during a stressful work day.
10. Have Some Fun With a Neon Sign
If you’re looking for a unique feature that also adds functional light, consider using a neon sign on your wall. You may have a motto, a favorite saying, or just choose something that will help you smile throughout the day.
Neon signs are fun because they add colored light to your space, don’t take up much space, and are completely customizable. You can even find fun neon signs from an antique store, which helps you save some money and add authentic charm to your office.
11. Create a Photo Collage
Offices that feel boring or unmotivating could always use a personal touch. Creating a beautiful photo collage of your friends, family, and favorite moments can bring you joy when you clock in for the day.
You can make an informal collage by pinning pictures directly to the wall or keep it organized by pinning the photos to a string of lights or on a corkboard. Many options could work, allowing you to make this exactly how you want it.
Looking up at your favorite people, favorite places, and beloved pets will help you smile and get through your tough days.
