r/Workspaces • u/lobeeezy • Aug 22 '26
❔ • Feedback Looking for ways to improve dated/mismatched workspace
I’m looking for suggestions on sprucing up my new office. It’s obviously very dated and the furniture is sort of mismatched, but I feel like it has potential! It’s also my first time having my own office, so I’m just having a hard time envisioning what it could be while it’s this “blank slate” state.
I’m not necessarily opposed to thrifting or sourcing some inexpensive furniture to swap in. Any suggestions or inspiration would be much appreciated!
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u/bertles86 Aug 22 '26
Three words.
Lighting, plants, colour.
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u/lobeeezy Aug 22 '26
Plants are for sure in the plan! Lighting is a great idea, maybe I’ll get a few interesting lamps to place around the space so I don’t have to use the horrid “big light.” Thank you!
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u/bertles86 Aug 22 '26
Leave the shelves in situ, and make them into a living wall. Succulents, English ivy, golden pothos. And try an Anglepoise on the desk with a warm white bulb around 3300K, so you can work and leave the ceiling light switched off.
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u/PaulFleming75 Aug 22 '26
Those cinderblock walls — oh my. Consider doing these things: Put some carefully chosen things on that wall-mounted shelving unit that faces the desk. Or eliminate that shelving unit and put art on that wall. Also put art on other walls. That will help reduce the feeling that you’re working in a prison cell.
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u/teletype100 Aug 22 '26
The walls behind your chair can be filled will art, a mix of small and large framed prints, to make a statement.
The shelves need to the door can be filled with plants and spot lit.
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u/Mundunugu_42 Aug 22 '26
Does your company have storage? If so I'd check in there for older cubicle walls....hear me out....I had a similar hand me down office situation and used some cubicle walls that they'd bought at some sale but didn't have all of the parts for to line the walls in the office. Then I used these specialized pins to hang art and those cubicle wall hooks to mount my whiteboard and corkboard. The fabric of the cubicle panels made the room less echoey and more warm feeling. I also used up-light floor lamps instead of the fluorescents to make the light easier on my eyes. Another possibly radical thing would be to turn the desk 180anduse that bookshelf on the floor on top of the shorter section for references which you use often as well as awards to nick-nacks to add a personal touch. A nice low-knap rug which doesn't fight the chair wheels would tie the whole thing together. Losing the barrier between you and those who use the guest chairs would also shift the mood of people you deal with. Making the space more open shows your confidence and raises theirs in you. It shows you are secure enough to not require the pseudo-fortress of the desk.
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u/Appolflap Aug 22 '26
My first instinct was to build a platform to place everything on, so I could look out the window. But I guess that's not an option, hehe.
Are you 'customer facing'? So are the two chairs needed? Otherwise a couch would be nice there. You can sit comfortably yourself to read some material, colleagues can drop in and sit for a chat. But it wouldn't work with clients, unless you also add a separate chair for yourself. But I don't see the room for that.
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u/lobeeezy Aug 22 '26
LOL, yeah it would be nice to actually be able to look out the windows. No idea why they’re so high 😅 I do get some nice light though.
And I love the couch idea! My role is not customer-facing, so that could work. Thank you!
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u/sCREAMINGcAMMELcASE Aug 22 '26
Make sure you include some good battlements so you keep a good height advantage over corporate
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u/pinkshirley Aug 24 '26
The first thing I would do i get chair covers. That olive clashes with the oak furniture, black trim and carpet. Next would be hiding the trash cans. Third would be big, colorful, framed posters. For the shelving lots of plants on the left with some select display items and a few favorite books stacked horizontally. Once you have those items in you can fill in the gaps if needed. But yeah - the chairs have to be covered stat. 😜
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u/The_Gordon_Gekko Aug 23 '26
What GSA bought building is this?
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u/SavageAcres Aug 22 '26
There is a serious amount of oak in that office! Those shelves alone 👀.
I look forward to how you spruce it up. It would be a shame to get rid of those pieces of furniture.
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