How to Turn Your Office Cubicle Into Your Personal Sanctuary

Clearing the Clutter

Remove the clutter to extinguish the “white noise.” One reason your cubicle may be sending harsh vibes your way is that you're trying to work with numerous papers, staplers and office supplies (not to mention your lunch) scattered all over. Clear the clutter and you may begin to find peace.

Organize work into specific piles. Not only will you start feeling more zen, you will also most likely work at a more efficient level if your work isn’t strewn across your desk. Begin by creating small piles of work––items you're currently working on, items you've completed and items that should be archived. Create a pile for non-work related paperwork or items on the floor to eliminate them from the work area. Add an organizational system to your desktop. Purchase on your own or talk to your purchasing manager about getting an organizational system for your cube. Whether it’s file cabinets or an in/out box, address the amount of paperwork and other items housed in your cube in order to find each pile a specific home. Also, any extraneous items that detract from your work focus should be either brought home or placed in an area away from your immediate work space. Not only will doing so reduce clutter but it'll also help free yourself from the panic brought on by looking for lost information.

Subscribe to the clean desk policy. The IBM Corporation has a clean desk policy where employees must clear and secure all paperwork and items by the end of the day. Whether your company mandates this type of policy or not, subscribe to having a clean desk by the time you leave work, so that when you arrive in the morning the tone is set for a peaceful day (what happens after you arrive, however, is anyone’s guess).

Providing Pleasant Lighting

Adjust the lighting. Lighting can have a serious impact on overall mood. Harsh fluorescent lights may be “shining” down on you, but you don’t have to live completely with the imposed stark environment. To improve the lighting as best you can, here are some suggestions:

Create a restful ambiance by adding low wattage bulbs to your desk experience via the addition of a small lamp or two. Purchase a small lamp that is compatible with a low wattage bulb like a 40 watt. Place the lamp near your computer or workspace to create a softer flood of light. Angle it to fall where it lights your work but does not bother your eyes. After you've added a lamp, you'll wonder how you managed before––this personal light source will improve your sense of the lighting considerably and you may not even notice the fluorescent lights anymore. It is not unknown for some workers to dress their cubicle with little fairy lights on a cord. These are for effect rather than useful light but they can look very effective, especially during the darker months. Add a small real or fake fish tank with light. If you have room, a small fish tank or even a lava lamp can create a groovy, peaceful environment. Choose a warm colored light such as orange or red to bathe the area in soft, mood soothing lighting. Just be cautious in a conservative workplace though––lava lamps might not be viewed as compatible with taking the work seriously.

If you'd like more natural light coming to your desk space, talk to your supervisor. It may be as simple as changing the angle of your cubicle, or it may be as complicated as shifting you somewhere else. But raising it is important if it matters to you––stewing about your sallow complexion and miserable positioning won't change anything. Ask nicely and you might receive.

Home Sweet Home

Bring home to work. After you’ve cleared your space, consider re-populating it with a few choice, meaningful pieces from home. Make sure you have room for a few items and that any picture frames or toys from home won’t add more clutter to your space. When dressing up your cubicle sanctuary, remember that less is always more but a homely touch will increase your sense of belonging. Here are some sanctuary-inducing additions to your space: Family and pet photos. One of the best ways to add warmth and personality to your cube is to place a few family and pet photos in your area. Consider adding your favorite photo next to your computer or workstation and then a few smaller framed photos on shelves. It'll cheer you to see these faces regularly and family members and pets always make great talking points with coworkers.

Add an easy-to-care-for plant or two. If you have room, a nice green plant can remove the sterility from a cubicle environment. Select a plant that requires very little maintenance or go for a realistic silk plant. You'll also need a mist spray bottle for regular watering.

Bring in a small throw blanket or pillow. Is the office chair uncomfortable or perhaps it feels cold in the morning? Add a small throw blanket or pillow from home to make your space more inviting. Choose a color that makes you feel peaceful or energized.

Pin up photos, posters and prints of the great outdoors. Images of your favorite vacation spots, outdoor areas and beautiful scenes can brighten up a cubicle space and remind you to plan that next vacation! Inspirational or motivational posters can create a sense of harmony too. Find a phrase or an image with a quote that brightens your day and let everyone else enjoy it too by pinning it up. A nice phrase is one from Dr. Jill Bolt Taylor that requests: "Please take responsibility for the energy you bring into this place." And, of course, you can't go past the perennial phrase "Think Outside the Box."

Food and Drink

Choose your own drink ware and dining items. Spare the planet's resources and bring your own mug and bowls for constant reuse rather than using the Styrofoam disposables in the office. These will definitely add to the homely feel, they're a much nicer tactile experience and everyone will recognize your mug and bowl over the office eclectic mix in the kitchen cupboard.

Make a ceremonial food and drink spot in your cubicle. Bring along a tray, add a coffee pot or teapot to it, your favorite beverage in a tin or jar, your favorite cookies and any other treats. Make it so that it can be moved as one to make way for workspace and then simply transported back to where you're sitting to enjoy the drink and nibble, any time you take a break. Some people join forces and create small tea or coffee drinking ceremonial spots somewhere central to their cubes or within a cubicle space where they open out onto one another. This can improve coworker bonding and if you love collectibles, can be a place to display teapots, samovars, coffee pots and accompanying spoons, cups, etc.

Have a colorful candy dish somewhere permanent in your cubicle. Always keep it filled with your favorite treats, either for yourself or for you and everyone else too. If you're on a diet, switch it to carrot sticks and goji berries, or whatever else works for you!