Let’s face it. Most of us spend more time in our office space than in our own living rooms. That means whether your office is a room in your house or in a place you travel to every day, it should be a space you actually want to be. Make yourself feel better about being at work by adding personal touches to help create an office space that makes you happy — no matter what kind of day it’s been. Here’s how some of the SheKnows editors make their workspaces their own.
Julie, Executive Editorial Director
"I work from home and happen to be married to a furniture designer, so my workspace is 100 percent my own. I have a gorgeous sit-stand desk, and my monitor riser is a walnut box built to my eye height. It has storage shelves inside, so when people come over I can just sweep my keyboard, laptop, notes to self, books and random clutter inside it and look fabulously minimalist. (I'm one of those "creative clutter" types, so this is key.) When I'm all cleaned up, the only other thing on my desk is a jewelry tree I use to hang my cords and earbuds. On the wall behind my desk is a painting of the Vowel A poster from the 'Moses Supposes' number in Singin' in the Rain. I love it, but it’s been my backdrop for video conferences for far too long — I’m considering a mix of cat shelves and plant shelves next." — Julie Ross Godar, Executive Editorial Director
Kaitlin, Community Editor
"Working from home for the last few years, I've realized how important it is to carve out a special workspace in my house. Since work can be stressful, I try to infuse my work area with a comfortable style. I like to keep delicious smelling candles burning on the mantel, have a tea set with a pot of Earl Grey brewing on the trunk, and stylish, but comfortable throw pillows around for back rests. I've also splurged on cute dog beds for my four-legged co-workers who like to hang out with me during the day. I try to work in spaces with a lot of natural light (and sometimes even outside when the weather's nice) as it helps me feel connected to the outside world. It's definitely a homey style, but it makes work more fun!" — Kaitlin Racine, Community Editor
Kristine, Entertainment Editor
"Ever since landing my first ‘real job’ out of college, I had this odd obsession with personalizing my workspace. I felt like anyone should be able to walk by my desk and think, 'Yep, that must be where Kristine sits.' Basically everything displayed on my desk is a combination of knick-knacks collected through the years (either from traveling or from co-workers) and mugs and notebooks that show off my personality to a T. 'Hey Girl' notebook with Ryan Gosling? Check. A mug that says 'I literally can’t'? Check. The Office mug that I never use but keep on display (because I make The Office references as often as I can)? Check. A collection of gnomes and a book titled The Gnome Project because somehow gnomes became an ongoing inside joke between me and my co-workers? Triple check. I mean, you sit at your desk for 40+ hours each week. You might as well love the way it looks… and have some fun with it, too. (As in, don’t second-guess putting up a face cut-out of Drake because you think it’s funny. Just do it.)" — Kristine Cannon, Entertainment Editor
Adriana, Food and Home Editor
"The office is a bit chilly, so I keep an old pashmina and a cozy throw handy. Sitting in a chair makes me sleepy sometimes, and my back hates it. So I brought in a yoga ball to sit on. I use a recycled glass milk bottle as a water decanter, with a little tumbler that fits on top. To keep me chill, I have a little golden Homer Simpson Buddha figurine — he’s holding a pretzel in one hand and meditation beads in the other. And then I have photos of my boyfriend and my son up, along with some of my son’s artwork." — Adriana Velez, Food and Home Editor
Colleen, Community Editor
"I’m a minimalist when it comes to desk space, so I like to keep mine tidy. I do have a few quotes to keep me motivated, like one my coworker made me that says ‘Keep the wild in you’ and another from one of my favorite authors, Cheryl Strayed. Both were given to me by coworkers. Beyond that, the things that make my desk feel most like home are my snacks — oatmeal, cinnamon, honey, a variety of tea." — Colleen Stinchcombe, Community Editor
Kat, Senior Social Media Editor
"I try to make my workspace look as little like a workspace as possible. At home, my vanity doubles as my desk, so I'm always surrounded by things that make me feel (and look) beautiful. There's a large mirror hanging behind it and lots of cute metallic boxes that keep my beauty products and work supplies organized. At the office, I cover my monitor with fun pictures of my friends and use coordinating desk accessories, all in gold, because I'm fabulous." — Kat Lapelosa, Senior Social Media Editor
Crystal, Director of Editorial Operations
"I punctuate my workspace with family photos, crafts from my kids and some of my pink and green Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority accessories. I also keep a huge framed spoof newspaper front page on my desk; it was a traditional going away gift from when I worked for the Army. I think my space says I'm family oriented, but don't have problems poking fun at myself." — Crystal Brown, Director of Editorial Operations
Kenzie, Branded Content and Pets Editor
"Clutter is the bane of my existence. In order to keep my focus and head clear while I'm working, I try to make my workspace as organized and tidy as possible with a few touches of home to keep it comfortable. I have a little workout corner where I stash all my exercise gear, a drawer full of teas, lip glosses and lotions. And of course I have an entire wall dedicated to pictures of my adorable little nephew." — Kenzie Mastroe, Branded Content and Pets Editor
Claire, UK Associate Editor
"My work 'space' isn't so much a space as a corner of my bedroom. One day I'll have a she-shed in the garden (with a lock on the door), but in the meantime I have to do what I can to make my 5 x 2 foot work station somewhere I want to be, not somewhere I want to escape from. So I surround myself with my favorite things. I have a picture pinned to the wall behind my Mac — it's a sketch of Jordan Knight from New Kids on the Block my best friend drew for me in 1989. There are a ton of postcards I've picked up in various special places: Venice, the French Riviera, my adopted home city of Glasgow, Scotland. And several motivational phrases: 'If not now, when?' and 'What are you waiting for?' are particularly useful to have in front of me when I'm on a deadline. Then again, 'One day at a time' reminds me that sometimes you have to just take a moment. The best part of my home office is that all furry creatures are welcome. When my dog sniffs my bare feet, or my cat wraps her tail around my ankle, I'm reminded of the main reason I love working from home. My space is my own and I can do whatever the hell I like to it." — Claire Gillespie, UK Associate Editor
Andrea, Project Manager, Video Department
"I love personalizing my desk space and finding that balance between pretty and functional. I’m crafty at heart, so my desk at home and my desk at the office both feature a cute container of washi tape and a collection of colorful pens. I love utilizing small ceramic containers I find to hold odds and ends; thumb drives, camera cards, paper clips, etc. When it comes to pulling together the rest of my desk accessories, a clean and organized space helps me stay focused and productive, and being able to look at some of my favorite pretty little things helps put that pep in my step throughout the day. A lucite tape holder, my rose gold pencil cup and my rose gold scissors really help me marry the functional and fabulous on my desk. I’m also super inspired by the written word so I love having framed inspirational sayings on my desk as well. 'Make Life Happen' is a personal favorite." — Andrea Rosewall, Project Manager, Video Department
Personalized work space
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