Cubicle Ideas

• Don't get the cubicle blues, give it some spice with a few custom upgrades. Ron Levine/Digital Vision/Getty Images

  If your office area is housed in the land of the cubicle, chances are, you're not likely to turn your three-wall home into your own customized resort equipped with its own coffee station and lounge. Instead, devise a plan to make your bland walls a little more comfy with a few ideas for making your cube your own.

The Common Stuff

• If this is your first move into the land of the cubicle, you may not have a clue where to start to make your new office house a home. Start with the basics, including eclectic photo frames of your family, friends and pets, favorite sayings or motivational quotes posted throughout and handy office supply holders and tools. TheOfficeStylist.com offers an array of cool office related supplies and gifts that make any cubicle a little more enjoyable. From band-aid sticky notes to lipstick pens and custom-shaped paper clips, supplies like these are a surefire way to add a little spice to your area. Its Butt Station Desk Organizer is a humorous all-in-one supply addition for your desk in which the little guy sitting on the porcelain "throne" acts as a tape dispenser, pen or pencil holder, notepad holder and paperweight. Sorting with Style also features cubicle paper, a nice start to add color and flair to an otherwise muted color backdrop. Each square is removable and can be cut to size to fit your area with pieces made to interlock in design as you place them. Colors and designs include abstract designs in black, white and red circles, citrus-colored blocks and pink and black embellished swirls.

Home Sweet Home

• Instead of making your cubicle look like the stereotypical work jail cell, accessorize and decorate your area to mimic that of your home (or dream home, for that matter). Add plants, upgraded desk accessories in stainless steel or matching metals and framed artwork to your area. Rid your space of clutter, and give everything its own area, tucking things away as neatly as possible. Add a touch of lighting, such as a reading lamp or narrow floor lamp. Remember to avoid as much clutter as possible to keep your quarters as spacious as possible. Add a floor rug and additional seating if your cubicle is oversized and to warm up the look.

Tune Them Out

• If you need a little distraction to avoid distractions, bring some music in your area. Music makes an ideal friend to keep you upbeat and focused on getting through the workday. However, not only should you be careful of too loud designs but also the musical noise in your area. Your HR team may have special rules and regulations regarding music in your cubicle, so check with the appropriate staff before bringing in your favorite tunes. If you get the green light, bring in a small media player, such as an iPod filled with appropriate office-friendly music, such as jazz or classical music or smooth instrumentals. Consider your neighbors to determine if you can let the music play low or if you need to plug in a pair of ear buds to keep the noise out completely.