Guest Blog: 9 Tips for Decorating Your Working Space on a Budget

When you want to get more done at work, it’s as much about the environment you’re working in as it is about your schedule and the apps you have on your phone. No matter how organized your routine is, there’s just no substitute for having an office that you’re proud to call your own. With our budget tips, you’ll be able to transform your work station into your home away from home (or within your home if you use a home office) during the week so that you get more done with ease. Here’s how you can make it happen.

Decorate those pinboards with photos and postcards
Everyone has a pinboard, but how many of us put any effort into the aesthetic side of things? We all start off with good intentions, only to be left with a pile of paper notes on the wall by the end of the week.

By using yours to display a couple of key notes, family photos, and a few nice postcards, you can add the homely touch that puts you at ease. Don’t think it will make all that much difference to your productivity? Give it a try, you might be surprised.

Create a picture line with pegs and twine
Picture lines are the best way to display photos on a budget because they only require bits and pieces you’ll find at home. With some nice rustic looking twine and a few wooden pegs, you can create the stylish display your office has been waiting for. Take the time to pick out your favorite photos, and rotate them regularly, and you’ll really be onto something stylish.

“There’s nothing better than decorating on a budget with bits and pieces you already own. I spent half an hour on my lunch break rigging up a picture line and it’s changed the whole vibe of my office. Give it a try, you might just love it” — says Estelle Leotard, a freelance writer for Studicus.

Treat yourself to a set of bookends
Bookends cost a lot less than you think, especially if you’re prepared to shop around at thrift shops and secondhand stores. Finding something that you instantly fall in love with is the name of the game here, so take your time, and don’t be put off just because something isn’t listed as a bestseller on Google right now. It’s about adding charm and character that makes you smile each and every day.

Use colorful box files to organize your notes
Box files are a great way to keep your notes and associated paperwork neat and tidy, but isn’t there a better way to go about it than those black and grey monstrosities you see in every office? Well, how about a few colorful choices that will liven up your shelves in no time.

Go for an eclectic and vibrant mix and you’ll be able to notice the difference from the very first time you step through the door. You may not be totally sold right now, but give it a try and you’ll wonder how you ever did without it.

Add a potted plant or two to freshen things up
If you want to give the office a fresh and vibrant style that makes all the difference, adding a few potted plants is the way to do it. They give you something to feel inspired by as you watch them grow and flower throughout the seasons, and they are perfect if you want to add some homely charm to proceedings.

“I’ve kept potted plants on my window sill for as long as I can remember, and there’s really nothing better to look at when I’m searching for inspiration. If you’re someone who wants to add a little charm and character to the office, I’d say you need to get over to the garden center” — says Marie Fincer, a writer for GrabMyEssay and content editor for TrustMyPaper.

Add a mug tree to the corner of your desk
Everyone has a mug they take with them to the office every day, but before you know it it’s just another part of the furniture. Adding a mug tree to the corner of your desk is a great way to enjoy the comforts of home whilst enjoying a little bit of extra choice. Have a different mug for each day of the week and a special one for your Friday afternoon, and you’ll be all set to enjoy the countdown to the weekend.

Use magnets and pushpins to add a splash of color
If you want to add a little bit of color, get creative with your choice of magnets and pins. They’re the little finishing touches that can make all the difference, and you can keep adding to them as the years go by -- perfect for breathing new life into things with minimum effort.

A jar of fairy lights is great for the winter
If you want to make the office warm and snug over the winter, a mason jar and some warm white fairy lights are the way to do it. It’ll add that homely charm no office should be without if you want to turn it into the space that allows you to focus and concentrate.

“My wife told me about this crafting idea she’d seen on Pinterest, so I gave it a try. It’s changed the whole feel of my office when I’m working late, and I really love the cozy ambiance” — says Neightan White, a blogger for BestEssay.Education and writer for WowGrade.

Reuse some old wall art from home
Last but not least, why don’t you reuse some of the old wall art you’ve been storing at home? It’s already bought and paid for, and it’ll add the splash of color that gives you the inspiration you need to cruise through the working day.

Final Thoughts
Now that we’ve given you plenty of inspiration, it’s time for you to start the office transformation you’ve been dreaming of. With so many bright ideas and interesting things to try, you’re certainly not going to be short of ideas perfect for creating the relaxing and inspirational working environment that makes cruising through the day the new normal.
 

About the Author:

Bridgette Hernandez is a Master in Anthropology who is interested in writing and is planning to publish her own book in the near future. She works with professional writing companies such as SupremeDissertations and PickTheWriter as a writer. The texts she writes are always informative, based on a qualitative research but nevertheless pleasant to read.