Adding Bookshelves to Your Cubicle Space
Posted by Cubicle.com in Uncategorized on April 30, 2012
Many people spend large amounts of time every day working in cramped, cluttered cubicles. They have the requisite office supplies crowding the space, along with miscellaneous personal items that seem to collect unbidden. This creates a less than ideal work environment, and it is sometimes a distraction for the employee. While personal items make the cubicle area homier, they can get in the way and make a mess. Adding bookshelves to a workspace offers the cubicle worker a way to organize work supplies and personal belongings, so they are out of the way but easy to see and access.
Bookshelves that are placed inside a cubicle can hold a variety of items depending on the size and the amount of room in between the shelves. If the bookshelves are tall, several stackable items, such as printer paper, spare ink cartridges or extra mouse batteries, can fit and are within easy reach. Likewise, books and manuals that are used frequently are easily accessible if they are stood upright side by side.
Arrange items on the bookshelf according to how often they are used. Group frequently used items together, and put these toward the front of the shelf for quick access. Place smaller items, such as pushpins and post-it notes, in labeled and/or color-coded containers. These items are off the desk, so the area is less cluttered, but they are within easy reach of the person seated in the cubicle.
The amount of extra space provided by cubicle bookshelves is only limited by the amount of vertical space available or allowed. Personal belongings, such as photographs and ornamental items, work well when placed on higher shelves, since they are not needed for the job. Small plants that require minimal maintenance might fit on an inner shelf, while taller ones would work better on a top shelf nearer to the sun-mimicking fluorescent lighting.
Adding bookshelves to a cubicle is a practical way to declutter the area and free up workspace. Bookshelves offer a way to categorize different items according to the frequency with which they are used. This puts the items needed most often within easy reach, while other less necessary items occupy spots on higher shelves. The shelving provides a way to organize the various desk items into a more functional arrangement that is also more aesthetically pleasing.
What is the Easiest-to-Maintain Fish for Your Cubicle?
Posted by Cubicle.com in Uncategorized on April 23, 2012
Keeping fish in your cubicle adds a soothing quality that helps reduce stress. Selecting fish that are easy to care for significantly improves the experience. The best fish for an office are those that tolerate a wide range of water conditions and have few special needs. The most popular choices include Betta, Tetra and Gourami.
Among the more popular fish for cubicles, Betta tolerate variances in water quality, including temperature and pH levels. Solitary creatures, Betta have vibrant colors and mesmerizing fins that flow beautifully, lending a serene touch to your work space. Betta are able to live in fishbowls, although they prefer an aerated tank. Tetras are small, with a range of colors that include neon types. Preferring to live in small schools, Tetras generally live together peacefully, and they require only minimum care. As you watch your Tetra swirl together in perfect unison, your mind no longer worries. Gourami have few special care needs, although keeping more than one per tank requires careful pairing based on gender. A compatible male and female pair of Gourami is exceptionally beautiful to watch, and the fish are available in a variety of colors.
Easy-care fish help you keep your office tank in pristine condition with little effort. However, even these three, low-maintenance types of fish require clean living conditions. Keeping the water clean is equivalent to keeping your air quality high. Feeding the fish appropriately helps keep the tank cleaner by reducing food waste that settles in the tank. Make sure your fish get enough food for health, but not more than they can consume within a few minutes.
Bringing easy-care fish into your cubicle makes the workday much more satisfying. With reduced stress levels, work feels more enjoyable, and it is easier to accomplish your goals. Betta, Tetra and Gourami are among the easiest to care for, while offering exceptionally beautiful color patterns. Soothing water elements take your cubicle to an entirely new level without a lot of effort. With easy-care fish, you can improve the quality of your work life significantly.
How to Hang a Bulletin Board in Your Cubicle
Posted by Cubicle.com in Uncategorized on April 16, 2012
Although office cubicles are often criticized as impersonal places that are too uniform to allow for any kind of personal expression, an employee whose work space is a cubicle can easily personalize the space by using a little imagination as well as some innovative accessories. Hanging a bulletin board in a cubicle, for instance, is a great way for an employee to display photographs of family, friends, pets and other memorabilia. It is also a useful method of increasing productivity by keeping messages, telephone numbers and other work-related documents conveniently at hand. By following a few simple steps, anyone can easily hang a bulletin board in an office cubicle.
Many offices prohibit the use of thumbtacks or push pins to hang items directly from the fabric wall of a cubicle, because the thumbtacks or push pins may damage the cubicle fabric. Even if no rule prohibits the use of thumbtacks or push pins, bulletin boards are often too heavy to hang only from thumbtacks or pushpins. Cubicle mounting squares are the perfect option in these situations. Lightweight and removable, cubicle mounting squares generally have an adhesive side to stick to the back of the bulletin board and a textured side to grip the wall of the cubicle. Because they mount on rather than pierce the fabric of the cubicle, these mounting squares do not damage the cubicle surfaces. This means that cubicle mounting squares are an ideal way to hang a small, cork bulletin board in an office cubicle.
Specially-manufactured cubicle hangers offer a convenient method to hang a bulletin board that is too large or too heavy to mount with only cubicle mounting squares. These handy office accessories hang over the cubicle partitions to support bulletin boards or dry erase boards. Because they are adjustable, cubicle hangers work well with cubicle partitions of different sizes as well as with bulletin boards of different dimensions.
By following the steps outlined here, anyone can easily and quickly hang a bulletin board or dry erase board in an office cubicle. With a little ingenuity and some convenient accessories, any office cubicle can offer great personalization opportunities as well as enhanced employee productivity.
Buying the Best Foot Rest for Your Cubicle
Posted by Cubicle.com in Uncategorized on April 9, 2012
Creating an ergonomic cubicle that is tailored specifically to your needs is an excellent way to stay healthy and perform at peak efficiency. Among the most critical elements for customizing your work-space, a good foot rest is one that makes you more comfortable.
Selecting the right foot rest takes only a small amount of time, and it yields considerable benefits. If your lower back aches after a long day at work, using the right foot rest is vital. For most people, raising the feet a few inches off the floor is appropriate. Sitting in your regular office chair and trying out different foot elevation levels with phone books gives you a quick, easy assessment tool for knowing what level gives you the most relief. A sturdy, adequately-padded place to put your feet helps with more than just back pain. Knees, feet and hips also need good support. Once the lower body finds good alignment, the abdomen, back, shoulders and neck also find improved balance. All of this translates to a higher level of focus and improved energy for you.
Sizing is the first step when you want a good foot rest. The next step involves shopping for a durable, good-looking option. Knowing where you plan to stow your new foot rest when it is not in use makes the selection process easier. Picking something that fits in the allotted space attractively keeps your cubicle efficient and nice-looking. Choosing a color that reflects your work environment without drawing excessive attention is generally your best course. Maintaining a professional style within your cubicle, while achieving a high level of comfort, helps you stay on-task.
Making your office cubicle more comfortable and accommodating helps you deliver high-caliber results. Freeing yourself from distracting pain improves your ability to think clearly, and it gives you an overall boost that makes meeting deadlines easier. Having a good foot rest that fits your needs precisely is one of the most important components for improving your cubicle. With your lower body elevated correctly, the rest of you aligns more easily. Selecting
How to Prank Your Co-Worker’s Cubicle
Posted by Cubicle.com in Uncategorized on April 2, 2012
Nine hours working away in a tiny secluded cubicle is often boring and monotonous. The lack of excitement often affects your motivation, inevitably causing your work performance to suffer. However, all hope is not lost. An occasional, entertaining prank can provide the jolt of enthusiasm that you need to endure the colorlessness of a tedious job.
First and foremost, it is important to know the boundaries of acceptable behavior. Every office is a reflection of a unique corporate culture, and if you violate the standards of behavior, however hilariously, it can get you into serious trouble. Make sure you plan your strategy effectively because few pranks are worth losing your job or missing out on a promotion. Remember, bosses at a laid-back company are probably a lot more tolerant about employee behavior than their counterparts at a more uptight business.
One strategy for pranks on a coworker’s cubicle involves auditory humiliation. If you have access to your coworker’s area after they have left work for the night, plant a music player in a hard-to-locate area. Then, use it to play Enya songs softly from their cubicle twice daily over the course of three weeks. As long as they cannot find the source of the music, the hypnotic melodies are sure to have them questioning their sanity, and they then endure the shame of having the entire office know them as “the Enya weirdo.”
If your coworker is a Star Wars fan, adjust the configuration of their walls so that their cubicle shrinks in diameter imperceptibly over time. Eventually, they are sure to recognize the reference to the famous trash compactor scene and appreciate your shared interest in classic cinema as their possessions compress inward upon them.
A good prank can brighten up any office setting. Approach the situation with caution and use a calculating methodology to ensure you get the most bang from your buck while protecting your own job security. Godspeed and good hunting.
Cubicle Feng Shui 101
Posted by Cubicle.com in Uncategorized on March 26, 2012
Feng Shui is a Chinese belief that you can influence your luck and health according to the way you arrange the objects in the environment around you. The 3,000-year-old practice details the many ways in which you can make any space good or bad by placing certain objects or items in that space. In an office cubicle, there are many ways to create good feng shui, but there are also many ways to create bad feng shui. You must take into consideration that other people in the area may unintentionally create bad feng shui for you. You may not have any control over their area, but you can certainly improve your own space in order to achieve good feng shui.
Much of feng shui has to do with the way you arrange your furniture around you. This includes chairs, cubicles and walls. In a cubicle, however, you may not have control over the way these things are arranged. Therefore, you have to pay close attention to the objects and energy within your space. You want to incorporate things that create and maintain positive energy in your space.
In feng shui, it is considered bad to have your back to a door if you can not see what is going on there. If you can not change positions, you can get around this by placing something reflective on your desk, such as a metal stapler or hole punch.
Personal items that are allowed in your cubicle can serve as a great way to bring positive feng shui. Pictures of happy times, bright colors and other inspirational items are good to have around your desk. Plants are also nice.
To deal with a neighbor creating bad feng shui for you, make sure you establish a clear boundary with him or her. Also, keep clutter of your own to a minimum. Clutter is something that is sure to bring bad feng shui to your cubicle, so get rid of it.
Lastly, remember that feng shui is better when you apply your techniques subtly. You want to include positive things without yelling to the whole office that this is what you are doing. Find things that you can incorporate with the rest of the space. If you find that you are unable to create the ultimate feng shui space in your cubicle and you are lacking the extra energy you need, you can always create a highly positive space at home to make up for it. This, at least, gets you through your long day in the cubicle.
Create a Napping Space in Your Cubicle
Posted by Cubicle.com in Uncategorized on March 19, 2012
Create a napping space in your cubicle, and provide yourself an easy way to rest your eyes for a few minutes. Power-naps, brief and deeply restorative moments of down-time, are an excellent way to utilize breaks. Positioning, light and sound distractions and a system for waking up on time are the main things to consider.
To establish a comfortable napping position in a cubicle, most people prefer supportive neck pillows that permit sleeping in an upright position. The u-shaped neck pillows popular with travelers and the inflatable variety, convert a regular office chair into a napping zone. If space permits, getting an ottoman that unfolds into a small cot is a great option. Keeping a light-weight, comfortable travel blanket helps make napping more relaxing, and a good foot-rest is generally helpful.
Minimizing the distractions is a fairly simple process. Keeping a comfortable eye-mask that blocks light improves napping quality. Silk masks preserve make-up best and add a luxurious quality to the whole experience. To help soothe eye-strain, cooling gel masks are a popular choice. Noise-canceling headphones and earplugs eliminate unwanted interruptions and permit the total relaxation that napping provides. If you prefer napping while listening to music, wearing a good set of ear buds and playing soothing sounds makes a good alternative to office noise.
Making sure you wake up once the allotted time for napping is over is a critical detail. If listening to a music source to help block extra noise, you can program the player to shut off at the appointed time. If that is not enough to wake you up, putting an intrusive noise on the loop could get your attention. A phone alarm, set on vibrate and placed in a pocket, is another easy solution. Using a massage pad or foot massage appliance works well if you are inclined to wake up when the timer shuts the machine off.
Napping in your office cubicle is an excellent way to quickly and easily enhance performance. Minimizing eye strain, reducing muscle fatigue and boosting energy are among the most common benefits that make resting at work a smart choice.
Should You Eat Lunch in Your Cubicle or With Your Co-Workers?
Posted by Cubicle.com in Uncategorized on March 12, 2012
When you are considering whether to eat your lunch sitting alone at your cubicle or with your co-workers, there are a few things to keep in mind. If you want to work while you eat, or if you need some quiet time, have lunch alone. However, remember that you might seem stand-offish to co-workers if you isolate yourself in your cubicle all the time, and this could affect the working relationship you have together.
Prior to deciding to eat at your cubicle, think about whether it could potentially offend nearby co-workers in any way. If your lunch consists of noisy, crunchy foods like potato chips or noisy wrappers on the foods, this could bother others who are trying to work. Slurping through a straw is also annoying. Additionally, if you are eating foods that have strong odors, those smells can linger for hours after you have finished eating. This may cause a problem for individuals working close to you, who might consider this rude and distracting. Runny, greasy or sloppy foods create a messy situation that takes time to clean up, especially if something is spilled on a keyboard or other piece of equipment. Also, in warm weather, flies might gravitate toward you and your lunch food and interrupt others nearby with their presence.
If you choose to eat at your desk and do work, this is acceptable as long as the food is not overpoweringly strong smelling, you do not make a lot of distracting noises while you eat and you try not to make a big mess. A makeshift covering for the keyboard and other cubicle equipment can save these items from accidental spills and speed cleanups. If insects start appearing, it is time to move to the lunchroom.
Eating lunch with your co-workers in the break room has many of the same rules as eating at your cubicle. Avoid cooking strong-smelling foods in a communal microwave, and try not to make a lot of obnoxious noises or a big mess while you are eating.
Having lunch with fellow workers is a way to share stories and observations about the job. It is also tempting to gossip; however, this is best avoided to prevent rumors or hurt feelings. Having lunch with co-workers is a way to relax and socialize, since the confines of a cubicle are fairly isolating.
Where to Find Fun and Functional Office Supplies for Your Cubicle
Posted by Cubicle.com in Uncategorized on March 5, 2012
You may wonder where to find fun and functional office supplies for a cubicle space, but there are many places to obtain such items like commercial office supply stores, home goods stores, home improvement stores and retail stores. Shop around to get items that are needed for an office cubicle space, whether you are looking to decorate a cubicle at home or work.
A cubicle is a work space that has portable walls, whether they are made of wood, plastic or metal. Cubicles are small work spaces that are ideal to have in office settings as well as house settings. Create a cubicle that is functional, cozy and stylish by filling it with items that are necessary, such as office supplies, accessories and furniture. Look to various stores and shops to purchase necessary items, and fill up a cubicle space with great style and function.
First and foremost, a cubicle is a place of work, so stock up on items that are used on an everyday basis. These includes office supplies, such as writing utensils, paper, books and folders. Find a wide collection of office supplies in stores such as Office Depot, Staples, OfficeMax and more. Large commercial stores, such as Target and Wal-Mart, carry office supplies as well. Shop for office furniture, including desks, chairs, bookshelves, filing cabinets, printer stands and more. Buy office electronics for your space like computers, printers, external hard drives and keyboards. Accessorize the cubicle space with lamps, flowers, plants, wall art, pictures, frames and vases.
Choose a design theme, and decorate accordingly. For a look that is modern, stick with simple and clean lines, opting for furniture that features linear lines and accents. Avoid ornate designs, such as curves, engravings and etchings. Select dark wood finishes like ebony wood or mahogany wood, for a look that is sophisticated and elegant. Country style rooms look great as well, so incorporate furniture that features wicker detail, light woods and printed detail on pillows or seat cushions. For a contemporary design, stick with glass and metal finishes, such as a desk that has a glass top with brushed steel legs. This look provides an up-to-date appeal, perfect for offices.
Shop for necessary office supplies and accessories to turn an ordinary cubicle into a stylish and well-functioning space. Decorate by adding personal touches with accessories. Browse around various stores, and have fun shopping for a cubicle decorating project.
Where to Find the Most Comfortable Chair for Your Cubicle
Posted by Cubicle.com in Uncategorized on February 27, 2012
Your office cubicle equals a home away from home, which is why you should sit in a comfortable chair. You work eight or more hours for five or more days per week, and a comfortable chair for your cubicle makes you feel more alert while simultaneously offering you comfort. Working in an office and sitting in an uncomfortable chair all year long not only makes you unhappy, but also makes it difficult to have a positive attitude at your job. The company you work for may not have a CEO or office manager who provides you with the world’s most comfortable chair, but you always have the option to purchase your own chair for your cubicle, and you do not need to spend a great deal of money to find the perfect chair of your dreams.
Find a comfortable chair for your office cubicle online, which saves hours of unnecessary searching. You do not need to visit stores in person to find an excellent chair for your cubicle that makes you feel comfortable when you are typing important documents or doing online research. You have your choice of various styles, sizes, materials and colors in office chairs; do some online research to find the exact type of chair you need.
It is always helpful to read reviews written by other office workers who have personal experiences in using various types of office chairs. After reading a few positive and negative reviews, you then have the knowledge you need to make a wise purchase and the satisfaction of knowing you are about to buy the ideal chair for your personal office cubicle. After your research, simply type in your request on any major search engine to find the best online stores that specialize in selling chairs for office cubicles.
Make sure to buy an ergonomic chair that ensures your comfort and safety because a poor-quality chair is only going to make your job more tedious and difficult. An ergonomic chair also helps you attain better productivity in your job, which might enable you to receive a big increase in your salary.