Fun, Creative Ways to Customize Your Office Space to Increase Productivity – and Maybe Even Reduce Stress!  

Creating a fun and inspiring workplace will help you in so many ways: not only will your desk  area feel more comfortable, but a place that feels inspiring to you could help you cope with everyday stress. People all over the world feel stressed at their work place, so you aren’t alone; in fact, 80 percent of employees say that they feel stressed at their job, and half of those also say that they need help learning how to manage all of that pressure.

So – while creating a fun office space might not entirely get rid of stress, it can certainly help! After all, a boring, neutral office space won’t inspire creativity or productivity, and office spaces should reflect the person working there.  In fact, you should feel comfortable and at home in your office, since you spend plenty of time there anyway. So use the personal touches below to  brighten up any office space.

Add Some Light
No one truly likes fluorescent lights shining down on them. Sometimes those lights can even cause eye strain. The solution: kill the overhead lights, and add some softer lighting by bringing a small desk lamp into the office. It’s not just a personal touch, it’s also good for your eye health!

If there’s no room on your desk for a lamp and you have some natural light to work with, try to hang a mirror. Make sure to aim it towards the source of light, and it will bounce around the room, instantly brightening the office. Plus, it’s a great thing to have when you need to touch up your makeup or fix a stray hair.

Get Organized
Clutter doesn’t look nice, and it can also prohibit productivity. IBM actually has a clean desk policy for security reasons, given that important statements or valuable information left on a desk are vulnerable to someone stealing them. Even if your company doesn’t make you stick to a policy, it’s a good habit to have.

In fact, getting organized can even reduce your stress in the workplace. So clean up your desk and lock away important documents every night before leaving. Grab some desk organizers from an office supply store, and straighten up the stacks of papers and stray pens, pencils and folders. Your office space will immediately seem more inviting.

Frame Some Pictures
Family pictures add a great personal touch to an office space. Place them on the desk, or hang them on a wall. They are also a great conversation-starter. People typically love to talk about themselves, where they came from, and about their family members.

Don’t stop at pictures, though. Any art or small family heirloom that is special to you deserves to be seen every day. Don’t be afraid to incorporate it into your office décor. It makes your office feel more intimate and comfortable — and less like an office space!

Buy Inspiring Prints and Accessories
If you love a vintage vibe, scour local antique stores, thrift stores and flea markets for fabulous décor on the cheap. You will save tons of money, instead of spending it on something that merely looks vintage.

For a more modern taste, Etsy has a great selection of office-themed prints and accessories to inspire hard work and creativity. Hang some of these up where they can be seen and enjoyed by you and maybe even some of your co-workers. (Plus, if you hang this, you can have a constant reminder to get some coffee before starting a project!)

Add Some Color
If possible, choose a bold color to add some character to your office space. If you can’t go around painting walls at work, brighten up the space with colorful office supplies:  Buy some multi-colored pens, notebooks and folders. Make a statement with an awesome gold stapler, cute Kate Spade bow push pins, or a writing pad for all your brilliant ideas. Not sure what colors fit you best? Take a look at your wardrobe, then decide from there.

Get Comfortable
After all, since you spend 40 hours a week in your office, you might as well be comfortable. Buy an office chair that not only suits productivity-helping comfort needs, but looks stylish and modern. If that’s not possible, there are cushions available at local office supply stores that offer back support so that you feel good all day long! If there’s room in your office, pick up some cheap but comfy seating for your clients and customers from somewhere like IKEA. This is also a fantastic way to add a pop of color.

Make Cheap Changes
If you can’t afford to go out and buy colorful office supplies, there are some inexpensive ways to make your office more personal:

• Paint the walls
• Move the furniture around
• Rearrange your desk to face a window, or just switch things up
• Bring in a bouquet of flowers, potted plant or even a goldfish for a touch of life
• Arrange a gallery wall to make the workspace feel more like home.

It is so important to feel comfortable and at home in the office, especially if stress sometimes gets the best of you. Bold colors and plants can boost your mood. Comfortable seating and soft lighting can make life easier, too. Above all, do whatever you can to enhance work performance, inspire creativity, and bring on the hustle!