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Office-decorating tips?

In our new "how can we help you?" thread, a reader asks:

I recently accepted my first post-grad school job. The department is giving me an office for solo use. Any advice on how to decorate, and make it a functional space that will be welcoming to students and other faculty? Any advice that might not be obvious to someone who has never had an office before?

I have to confess that I've never really decorated my office: it's just filled with books and other functional work stuff. But if other readers have tips, do share! 🙂

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15 responses to “Office-decorating tips?”

  1. academic migrant

    Your ergonomics: have two screens (most admins do, but few academics have this in my institution mostly because the latter don’t ask), a comfortable keyboard (low profile recommended), wrist rests (I have two small ones so to move them around when needed), and a good mouse or trackpad. Ideally the desk should be height adjustable. Have a reasonably comfortable chair.
    See if your employer provides a coffee table and some chairs for visitors.
    If you have any books, you may want a bookshelf. I have none.
    Make sure that the device, if any, the university provides is not locked by Microsoft, banning you from, say, installing Zoom, or preventing you from sharing screen with google meet.
    Get a heater or fan depending on how reliable the heating and cooling your office is.
    If you can, get a white board, as in person discussions can make use of it.
    Have an item you’d like to spend time staring at if this helps you think. It can be an indoor plant or something that spins or something that involves some optical illusion.

    Reply
  2. anon

    The answer to this question might largely depend on the space you’re working with. I am in a windowless, cinderblock room, so the level of decorating had to be aggressive to compensate. For instance, no amount of decorating was going to make it feel less like a cell-block unless I covered the walls, so I got these sticky, textured wallpaper panels that look like bamboo. Super cheap and easy to apply. I also have lots and lots of plants, a coffee maker, lots of bookshelves, a rug, comfortable chairs for students to sit in, and a filing cabinet.

    Reply
  3. rutabagas

    The Big Lebowski got it just right: a rug can really tie a room together. (Accent lamps and plants help too.)

    Reply
  4. AP

    I have a coffee maker, candy/snacks, and tea. This year, I’m looking into getting some fidget spinners and/or a mini zen garden. I have stickers that identify me as an ally. I will be putting up a poster that’s about anxiety awareness and has the 4-7-8 breathing method. I also store hand sanitizer, Lysol wipes, face masks, basic cookware (microwaveable bowl), and extra phone chargers and portable battery chargers. 
    We have bulletin boards in and outside our offices, and on this, I have lots of philosophy related diagrams and pictures, poetry, etc. I’ve seen colleagues decorate for the seasons and holidays, which makes things feel homey if that makes sense.

    Reply
  5. H

    Definitely bring some books to put on the shelves, even if it will be a lot of work to get them to your office, and even if you are on a one-year position. Otherwise, every student who comes into your office will bring up how empty your bookshelves are.

    Reply
  6. Ambience

    Get a nice couch and some mood lighting to put grad students at ease.

    Reply
  7. Sebastian Lutz

    A coffee maker was already mentioned, and I have a thermos in which I brew tea. With additional cups, you can invite whoever comes into your office to a cup of tea or coffee. In my experience, that often relaxes the atmosphere of a conversation.

    Reply
  8. logic

    If you’re teaching logic a whiteboard/chalkboard is a necessity! Probably could come in handy for many other classes too.

    Reply
  9. Mike Titelbaum

    If you have a job that includes startup funds and/or research funds, find out if they can be spent on furniture. I got an actually comfortable couch for students to sit on, and a wood table I can pull out for them to rest a laptop or drink on while we talk.

    Reply
  10. jmugg

    I’ll add to the whiteboard pill-on (university paid for this at both places I’ve taught).
    I also have a couch/chairs/coffee table so I can sit and chat one-on-one or with small groups. I have a tea chest and coffee maker–two student came by yesterday for tea during office hours.
    Artwork is helpful. I’ve mostly chosen stuff that fits my taste and rolled with it.

    Reply
  11. Trevor Hedberg

    A lot of this will depend on what your physical space actually looks like and what can fit, but regardless, I will second the comment about filling up your bookshelves. In fact, I will take it a step further. The best thing I did in one of my offices was putting in a work order to remove 2 of the 3 bookshelves from the room. The were huge and took up almost all the wall space by themselves, and I did not own enough books to fill them all (having discarded many when I moved). Whatever you do, just make sure there isn’t a ton of empty shelf space: if there is, everyone will ask about it.

    Reply
  12. Tim

    Plants and fresh flowers! I have an ivy growing down one of my bookcases that looks excellent. And I buy fresh flowers every few weeks to add some life and color.(Plus I can support some local business by buying plants.)

    Reply
  13. I love lamp

    An air purifier on your desk. Can help reduce flu/cold transmission if it’s placed within a few feet of someone shedding virus (whether you or a student!)
    I HATE fluorescent lighting so I got a few inexpensive lamps from IKEA and a thrift store. Made a huge difference.

    Reply
  14. Polaris

    At my uni we’re expected to use the furniture provided, so my options were limited. My office was small and only had space for a big desk and bookshelves. I arranged to have some bookshelves and part of the desk removed which made space for a small visitor table and two quite austere office chairs, so that students can have a seat. I brought some throw pillows, a throw and a small rug to bring some life to the otherwise very austere visitor chairs. I added a few posters by Pete Mandik, a plant, and a bowl of sweets for visitors. Made a world of a difference and I keep getting compliments for the space.

    Reply
  15. Rosa

    Just seconding things from above –
    1. Fill and/or get rid of bookshelves
    2. Plants and lamps are great
    3. Peel and stick wallpaper is surprisingly awesome
    4. A couch or loveseat makes things homey (and is great for quick naps!)
    I would also add that you can get some pretty weird/fun/cheap art at thrift stores, or else thrift frames and make some fun collages or something.

    Reply

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