Office decor - how much is too much?

Betty · 08-16-2005, 11:36 AM

Everyone's got their own sense of style and decorating. At what point does it become invasive?

We've got someone here at work who loves cats. I mean LOVES them. She has no children, so instead of photos of them, she's got pics of her kitties... and kitty dolls, and kitty sculptures, and kitty stuffed animals, and kitty this and kitty that. At current estimate, I'd say she's probably got 60 items of this sort. Up until a few days ago, she just had a simple desk and has about 20 items that filled it up. She now has a larger desk in an office she shares with someone else and her kitties have been breeding. It's like walking into a junk store where they only sell cat stuff. It's freakin' everywhere.

I'm glad I don't share an office with her because as much as I love cats, it's just tacky.

At what point does it cross the line?

What about your office? Is it full of Disney items? Or dozens of family photos?

And how to rein her in without hurting her feelings?

Not Afraid · 08-16-2005, 11:52 AM

UGH! I'm a cat lover and that's just tacky!

Chris had an ADMIN whose office looked like a f-ing craft faire. UGH!

My office always had artwork on the walls. Most of it was contemporary and some people were "confused" by it. But, I had to look at the walls all day long and it wasn't so invasive that it made it difficult to get business done.

Not know what this person's job is, I would probably find it a terribly distracting and unprofessional environment to conduct business in. Just as you wouldn't wear a halter top to the office, you should have a beanie baby explosion in a professional environment. A few trinkets should be enough to get the point across of a persons' obsessions.

Ghoulish Delight · 08-16-2005, 12:00 PM

It's bad enough when they're in their own cube/office, but sharing with someone?! Yikes.

I'm very spartan about my office space. Basically, all I have is a mirror to see behind me (I hate having my back to the cube "door") and a couple wallet photos of CP and my parents. I don't spend very much time in my cube anyway, but even at my last job where I did, it was the same. I just have no urge to decorate it.

AllyOops! · 08-16-2005, 12:26 PM

My office is a loft, and it's very minimalist & modern. Limestone & oak flooring, stark white furniture, cement and a massive chrome, silver column that has two televisions recessed inside (always switched to CNN). I have to admit, it's so lovely and creative in here, it's enough to make me happy!

Having said that, all of our desks (3 of us, including me, share this loft) are kept pretty stark. Either black or silver accessories. I would love to bring in just a photo or two, but kept in very modern frames that would match the decor of this office. I love pictures. It only takes a few displayed to transport you to a favorite time, place or loved one with just one glance. I like that serenity and comfort.

Actually, I don't need decor on my desk! My office is right smack-dab on the Sunset Strip in West Hollywood. I have a lovely view of the Hustler store across from me, where everyday I'm treated to new and inspirational positions acted out by eager, almost-naked mannequins.

€uroMeinke · 08-16-2005, 06:01 PM

Considering the amount of time some of us spend at our desks, I really can't begrudge anyone personalizing their workspace, but a lot depends on function, and if you're interacting with a lot of people, conducitng business with them in your workspace then you have to be mindfull of your "professional" image.

Moonliner · 08-16-2005, 06:25 PM

</Opinion on>

It crosses the line when it stars to effect how her or others do their job or if it poorly reflects the image of the company to visitors. If that's the case then management will typically attack the problem in the same weasel way they attack most problems. A policy memo. Everyone will have to adhere to an arbitrary set of standards that prohibits excessive displays of personal items.

If you are not management then this one person is directly threatening your own personal freedom of expression vies-a-vi the eventual creation of a formal office decorating policy. You can either ignore the issue, confront her directly which of course will piss her off or try an "intervention" where several officemates approach her together. I would suggest that her office mate is probably the best situated to lead the intervention. Note, I most certainly do NOT suggest the weighted bag dumped into the river in the dead of night approach (for her or the cats).

If you are management, well it looks like you have a memo to write.

</Opinion off>

Betty · 08-16-2005, 06:52 PM

I hadn't really thought about it that way Moonliner. As a matter of fact, it's because of her that we no longer have a shop cat because when our old kitty died and we got a new kitten (about the time she was hired) she couldn't leave the cat alone. She was warned and yet the very next day, caught attending to the kitty when she wasn't on her break. Her letter to the owner about how *someone* had to take care of the kitten and that she alone was the only person who cared. (Psh!)

That really annoyed me as it was - if it comes down to office decorations... well - I'd better see what can be done about it quick! Her office mate is actually out on vacation until next week so she has no idea of what she is about to walk into.

TigerLily · 08-16-2005, 07:44 PM

my desk does not have any personal items on it at all. It's very plain with just work related items. Maybe one day I will bring stuff in, but I don't really see the point....I did costumize my lotus notes and computer appearence...LOL

there is one person at my work that had a bit of an overkill desk. Itw as filled with stuff...so much that I couldn't see any desk space and there was stuff piled under the desk, but they were moved and the desk appears to be tidier now.

Cadaverous Pallor · 08-16-2005, 08:37 PM

I currently share a desk with 3 people. When I did have my own desk it wasn't long enough for me to get comfortable with putting stuff on it....I think it takes me a while to do that. It's no big deal, I just don't feel like putting myself out there for coworkers to see.

I have a coworker that's obsessed with the late Dale Earnheart. There are masses of magazine pictures that have been put into little heart-shaped frames. There's even one full ad cut out that has a pic of Earnheart walking away, butt to the camera, and underneath it says "Enjoy the view."

But that's not all. She also has a full collection of patriotic beany baby bears from each 4th of July. And tons of trinkets. Oh, and a full collection of annoying little comics taped above her desk, on the cabinets above, so that when we go to open the cabinet door it has a bunch of papers flapping at the bottom.

She used to have more when we were at the Main, where there was more room at her desk. She had a friggin' shelving system for all her trinkets. Ugh.

mousepod · 08-16-2005, 08:49 PM

Back when I was a wise-ass record company geek, I used to decorate my walls with mildly offensive material (posters of Traci Lords, Sharon Tate, etc) just to throw people off.

My current position at the Sheriff's Department precludes me from adorning my work space with anything personal - and since I'm not fond of "inspirational" wall hangings (quotes from Einstein and MLK), my only personalization is my computer desktop.

It's nice having a spartan office. It helps me remember that my job isn't my life.

08-16-2005, 11:36 AM	#1
Betty Kicking up my heels! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: The Silver State Posts: 3,783	Office decor - how much is too much? Everyone's got their own sense of style and decorating. At what point does it become invasive? We've got someone here at work who loves cats. I mean LOVES them. She has no children, so instead of photos of them, she's got pics of her kitties... and kitty dolls, and kitty sculptures, and kitty stuffed animals, and kitty this and kitty that. At current estimate, I'd say she's probably got 60 items of this sort. Up until a few days ago, she just had a simple desk and has about 20 items that filled it up. She now has a larger desk in an office she shares with someone else and her kitties have been breeding. It's like walking into a junk store where they only sell cat stuff. It's freakin' everywhere. I'm glad I don't share an office with her because as much as I love cats, it's just tacky. At what point does it cross the line? What about your office? Is it full of Disney items? Or dozens of family photos? And how to rein her in without hurting her feelings?
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08-16-2005, 11:52 AM	#2
Not Afraid HI! Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 17,108	UGH! I'm a cat lover and that's just tacky! Chris had an ADMIN whose office looked like a f-ing craft faire. UGH! My office always had artwork on the walls. Most of it was contemporary and some people were "confused" by it. But, I had to look at the walls all day long and it wasn't so invasive that it made it difficult to get business done. Not know what this person's job is, I would probably find it a terribly distracting and unprofessional environment to conduct business in. Just as you wouldn't wear a halter top to the office, you should have a beanie baby explosion in a professional environment. A few trinkets should be enough to get the point across of a persons' obsessions.
	Submit to Quotes

08-16-2005, 12:00 PM	#3
Ghoulish Delight I Floop the Pig Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alternative Swankstyle Posts: 19,348	It's bad enough when they're in their own cube/office, but sharing with someone?! Yikes. I'm very spartan about my office space. Basically, all I have is a mirror to see behind me (I hate having my back to the cube "door") and a couple wallet photos of CP and my parents. I don't spend very much time in my cube anyway, but even at my last job where I did, it was the same. I just have no urge to decorate it. __________________ 'He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me.' -TJ
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08-16-2005, 12:26 PM	#4
AllyOops! It's Peanut Butter Jelly Time!!! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Introspection Intersection Posts: 1,207	My office is a loft, and it's very minimalist & modern. Limestone & oak flooring, stark white furniture, cement and a massive chrome, silver column that has two televisions recessed inside (always switched to CNN). I have to admit, it's so lovely and creative in here, it's enough to make me happy! Having said that, all of our desks (3 of us, including me, share this loft) are kept pretty stark. Either black or silver accessories. I would love to bring in just a photo or two, but kept in very modern frames that would match the decor of this office. I love pictures. It only takes a few displayed to transport you to a favorite time, place or loved one with just one glance. I like that serenity and comfort. Actually, I don't need decor on my desk! My office is right smack-dab on the Sunset Strip in West Hollywood. I have a lovely view of the Hustler store across from me, where everyday I'm treated to new and inspirational positions acted out by eager, almost-naked mannequins.
	Submit to Quotes

08-16-2005, 06:01 PM	#5
€uroMeinke L'Hédoniste Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: A.S.C.O.T. Posts: 8,671	Considering the amount of time some of us spend at our desks, I really can't begrudge anyone personalizing their workspace, but a lot depends on function, and if you're interacting with a lot of people, conducitng business with them in your workspace then you have to be mindfull of your "professional" image. __________________ I would believe only in a God that knows how to Dance. Friedrich Nietzsche
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08-16-2005, 06:25 PM	#6
Moonliner 8/30/14 - Disneyland -10k or Bust. Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 9,022	</Opinion on> It crosses the line when it stars to effect how her or others do their job or if it poorly reflects the image of the company to visitors. If that's the case then management will typically attack the problem in the same weasel way they attack most problems. A policy memo. Everyone will have to adhere to an arbitrary set of standards that prohibits excessive displays of personal items. If you are not management then this one person is directly threatening your own personal freedom of expression vies-a-vi the eventual creation of a formal office decorating policy. You can either ignore the issue, confront her directly which of course will piss her off or try an "intervention" where several officemates approach her together. I would suggest that her office mate is probably the best situated to lead the intervention. Note, I most certainly do NOT suggest the weighted bag dumped into the river in the dead of night approach (for her or the cats). If you are management, well it looks like you have a memo to write. </Opinion off> __________________ - Taking it one step at a time.
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08-16-2005, 06:52 PM	#7
Betty Kicking up my heels! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: The Silver State Posts: 3,783	I hadn't really thought about it that way Moonliner. As a matter of fact, it's because of her that we no longer have a shop cat because when our old kitty died and we got a new kitten (about the time she was hired) she couldn't leave the cat alone. She was warned and yet the very next day, caught attending to the kitty when she wasn't on her break. Her letter to the owner about how someone had to take care of the kitten and that she alone was the only person who cared. (Psh!) That really annoyed me as it was - if it comes down to office decorations... well - I'd better see what can be done about it quick! Her office mate is actually out on vacation until next week so she has no idea of what she is about to walk into.
	Submit to Quotes

08-16-2005, 07:44 PM	#8
TigerLily Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Lancaster, CA Posts: 101	my desk does not have any personal items on it at all. It's very plain with just work related items. Maybe one day I will bring stuff in, but I don't really see the point....I did costumize my lotus notes and computer appearence...LOL there is one person at my work that had a bit of an overkill desk. Itw as filled with stuff...so much that I couldn't see any desk space and there was stuff piled under the desk, but they were moved and the desk appears to be tidier now.
	Submit to Quotes

08-16-2005, 08:37 PM	#9
Cadaverous Pallor ohhhh baby Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Parental Bliss Posts: 12,364	I currently share a desk with 3 people. When I did have my own desk it wasn't long enough for me to get comfortable with putting stuff on it....I think it takes me a while to do that. It's no big deal, I just don't feel like putting myself out there for coworkers to see. I have a coworker that's obsessed with the late Dale Earnheart. There are masses of magazine pictures that have been put into little heart-shaped frames. There's even one full ad cut out that has a pic of Earnheart walking away, butt to the camera, and underneath it says "Enjoy the view." But that's not all. She also has a full collection of patriotic beany baby bears from each 4th of July. And tons of trinkets. Oh, and a full collection of annoying little comics taped above her desk, on the cabinets above, so that when we go to open the cabinet door it has a bunch of papers flapping at the bottom. She used to have more when we were at the Main, where there was more room at her desk. She had a friggin' shelving system for all her trinkets. Ugh. __________________ The second star to the right shines in the night for you
	Submit to Quotes

08-16-2005, 08:49 PM	#10
mousepod You broke your Ramadar! Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 4,635	Back when I was a wise-ass record company geek, I used to decorate my walls with mildly offensive material (posters of Traci Lords, Sharon Tate, etc) just to throw people off. My current position at the Sheriff's Department precludes me from adorning my work space with anything personal - and since I'm not fond of "inspirational" wall hangings (quotes from Einstein and MLK), my only personalization is my computer desktop. It's nice having a spartan office. It helps me remember that my job isn't my life.
	Submit to Quotes