How to decorate your desk at work to reflect your personality

I distinctly remember the first time I entered my office. It was a sea of grey and red and, well, dull. It screamed little to my colourful personality (no jokes). The first few weeks, I went on, arriving at my dark grey blank, soft board and desk every morning, with nothing but a telephone ‘adorning’ the desk, until one day. I had had enough. I decided to revamp the space. Add my touch to it. I am, what my co-workers describe me as, a supremely Pinterest-esque and Tumblr-girl. I am. Unapologetically. I collected everything I wanted to pin up and place on my desk—I even designed a few postcard sized-posters. Now, my desk screams me in every way. If you, too, are tired of looking at the same old boring desk every day, it’s time to spruce it up. We have curated an all-you-need-to-know guide to decorating your desk. Read on. 

Make a list of all the things you would want on your desk 

Remember you’re going to work at this desk for the most part of your day. So, we’d recommend carefully curating the items that will keep you going on a tough day. You can start by researching mood boards and looking through images to identify the kind of desk you’d like to create. I started by going through Pinterest, identifying a colour palette, and picking out my favourite quotes. You may want something more professional with a basic colour palette—take your pick. Remember, your desk should resonate with you, your beliefs, and your goals, and the elements should be your reminder to smile! 

Go the DIY way 

Once you have the list ready, take time out and go the DIY way—it will make decorating your desk a more meaningful and fun experience, trust us. If you want to put up a photograph of your family or loved one, choose your favourite image, get it printed, and pick out a frame of your choice. If you want to put up quotes, create a template, add your favourite elements, and design cards or posters. You can even take out a Sunday and paint your heart out to create a piece for your desk! 

Get some indoor plants 

If you spend most of the time within the four walls of a glassed office, an indoor plant can be your connection to the outside world and make you feel happy and satisfied for caring and nurturing it. Here’s your cue to deck up your desk with house plants such as the money plant, bamboo, jade, or areca palm. Also, a plant is often perceived as a symbol of growth and what better thing to keep on your desk, as you toil away to achieve your goals and dreams? 

Add other complementing elements

We don’t recommend cramping your desk with too many unnecessary elements, but a few tiny trinkets never hurt anybody. I kept a glass bottle with fairy lights on one corner of my desk. You could keep a memoir from a trip, a gift from a friend, an idol or symbol you truly believe in, or even a super cute cup that you can use for those everyday coffee refills. We’d also recommend having a scented candle (or two) to calm your nerves at the end of a stressful day. Pro tip? Keep it minimal but meaningful. 

Go stationery shopping 

If you love shopping for stationery, you can make your desk less monotonous by getting vibrant or pastel-toned stationery. You could pamper yourself to some retail therapy and splurge on pen holders, matching pens and pencils, sticky notes, staplers and more. Stack up your drawers and arrange your daily essentials on your desk to make it look super chic and attractive.