Wondering how to create an elegant office? Or perhaps how to make your office more feminine? Elegant office details and decorating ideas aren’t necessarily hard to come by; it’s implementing them where a lot of us get tripped up!
When we think of the traditionally feminine, images of comfort, nature, and color come to mind. But when was the last time you walked into a corporate office environment and thought any of those things about it? The two seem mutually exclusive.
How to Create an Elegant Office
But in a video this past week, I wanted to pull hard in the tug-of-war between masculine and feminine energies over who dominates in an office. I was tired of the strictly utilitarian surroundings, all in unloved shades of beige and gray slapped up as backdrop for mismatched primary and secondary colors. I wanted to feel as graceful and confident in my office away from home as I do in my home office. And while I can’t put up a gallery wall or order a velvet sofa at work, I was able to put together some affordable options that really warmed it up.
The Elegant Office Desk
Office-issued desks and equipment leave a lot to be desired in terms of aesthetics, but we should certainly grateful for their provision for the sake of getting work done. So it’s really up to us to improve their appearance as we like. The trouble is, so few people do that we may feel like we stick out (and not in a good way) if we want to know how to create an elegant office (and then actually do it!).
My first technique for warming up a desktop is to get a desk blotter, desk mat, or gaming mouse pad like the one in the video. Think of these like area rugs for a desktop. An otherwise plain room can be completely transformed by tying everything together with an area rug. Your desk is just a miniature version.
You can find gaming mouse pads and desk blotters in all different colors and prints to find something that suits you. I’ve been in a very floral mood lately so I chose this one. I also liked the contrast between the black background of the mat and the light color of my desk. It made it more interesting to look at. Furthermore, the texture of the mat is somehow more comfortable than the cold, hard plastic of the desktop. I do understand the practicality of the desktop material being nonporous and therefore easy to clean and maintain. But thus far I haven’t had an issue with my mat.
Declutter the Space
Declutter the space by clearing what’s not necessary. It’s amazing how crowded it can get with a laptop dock, speakers, monitor, monitor riser, etc. The monitor riser is a huge offender. Clunky plastic ones in black or beige are standard office issue. I tried this clear plexiglass one with adjustable legs from Amazon. I was amazed at how much cleaner my desk looked.
The effect of clearing up the space visually has such a positive result! I feel less claustrophobic sitting at my workspace for nine hours a day when I don’t feel overwhelmed by all of the stuff on my desk.
Elegant Scent
Scent is another thing most offices lack. When I think about how to create an elegant office, I think of things that awaken the senses. You must adhere to your employer’s safety standards, of course. Most places won’t allow you to burn a candle or incense. But you could also try an essential oil diffuser, a wall plug-in, or a reed diffuser.
I decided to try this reed diffuser from Amazon in the scent April Fresh. It smells like fresh laundry to me. If you have a smaller space, I’d recommend only popping in one or two reeds to keep the scent from becoming too powerful. The fragrance makes me feel at home and at ease in my office, and I hope it has the same effect on those who come to visit me.
Elegant Office Plants
Adding a touch of nature is a great way to warm up your office. Even if they’re not real! I found a set of three desktop plants in little ceramic pots. They come in a variety of color sets, and I chose pink, white, and green. The quality is outstanding! And even if they’re not real, they make my office a much happier place to be. I feel something in my soul relax a little when I gaze at them throughout the day.
These are my top ideas for how to create an elegant office! Especially if you’re new to showing off your femininity in a professional environment, none of these feel too over the top to implement. It’s a great way to ease in and show yourself how good it feels to let your feminine energy out. I can’t wait to hear how it goes! Let me know and drop your elegant office suggestions below!