Surviving the cubicle jungle involves skill, tenacity, and a willingness to work in wide-open spaces in which fellow co-workers and supervisors can stop in at any moment for a chat or observe your every move. A cubicle can be a dull, sterile, habitat, comprised of cold iron trimmings, rough canvas-like woven or fiberboard walls, and a desk topped with a faux-wood covering. Essentially, with pervasive issues relating to privacy and aesthetics, a cubicle—a place where you might spend the majority of your day—can be a rather inhospitable space. Given this fact, it is important therefore, both for reasons related to productivity and maintaining your own sanity, to take steps to make this space hospitable.
While it is important not to wrap your cubicle or even office completely in bold, blinding colors, it is important to adorn your workspace with items that give it a homier feel. Such items can include pictures, small paintings or prints, cards, or even books. Abigail Perkins in her New York Times article, Feeling at Home in the Office, notes, “It is important to have a space of one’s own, even in an open environment. Bringing in items from home and adding color and textures helps the office aesthetic.” Perkins goes beyond aesthetics, however.
She notes it is important to have office furniture that is not only functional, but ergonomic. From comfortable chairs to computer monitors that can swivel and move, Perkins highlights the importance of having office-ware that doesn’t pose a risk to your physical health. She notes that if such items are unavailable or not provided, it is important to identify sources of discomfort and find ways to fix them yourself—a pillow perhaps, or raising the height of your laptop by putting something under it. Not only this, but innovating comfort can be an important factor in maintaining the bottom line: “Modifying your office furniture yourself can also increase your comfort level and, hopefully, your productivity.” Though it is important not to go overboard, creating a more comfortable and agreeable work environment can pay huge dividends.
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