New job- organise/decorate my desk?

*Beki*

Hi,

Not sure if this is the best place to post or whether it should maybe come under a more "crafty/organisational" section, but here goes!

I've recently got a new job (within the same company I'm with at the moment) which will involve having my own desk with associated desktop PC etc, and I'm looking for some tips on making it my own

Really want to start off in a tidy and organised fashion, so ideas for filing/sorting/keeping things neat?

And would love it to be a bit personal- not lots of cutesie cuddly toys or pot plants, something professional but colourful that makes me smile when I come to work... I love Teapigs tea so was thinking of maybe getting a couple of clear jars to put teabags in....

Any suggestions much appreciated!:D

Amanita_2

*Beki* wrote: »

Hi,

Not sure if this is the best place to post or whether it should maybe come under a more "crafty/organisational" section, but here goes!

I've recently got a new job (within the same company I'm with at the moment) which will involve having my own desk with associated desktop PC etc, and I'm looking for some tips on making it my own

Really want to start off in a tidy and organised fashion, so ideas for filing/sorting/keeping things neat?

And would love it to be a bit personal- not lots of cutesie cuddly toys or pot plants, something professional but colourful that makes me smile when I come to work... I love Teapigs tea so was thinking of maybe getting a couple of clear jars to put teabags in....

Any suggestions much appreciated!:D

What job role are you doing? I keep mine tidy ( ish) by offloading the paper/files onto someone elses desk asap!

As for personalisation, I believe less is more if you want to look professional. Other than the company issued stationary/equipment I just have a small crystal ball on a stand ( very useful!) and quite a talking point and my SAD lamp which is even more of a talking point.

agrinnall

Before you do any personalisation check to see if there are any rules about what is allowed on your desk, whether there is an overnight clear desk policy, etc. In a lot of places these rules are in place but regularly ignored, however, it might be wise to do very little for a few days after you start so that you can see what other people do.

*Beki*

Thanks for the replies I've been doing the role for 3months already as a secondment from a different department, but have just got confirmation that I have officially got the role longterm

So I'm aware that there is a fairly relaxed desk policy, a few pot plants, some mugs of pens and things. I'm a geophysicist so my work is predominantly computer based with little paper apart from huge A0 charts! We have chart tables and bigger desks for these though so not a space issue for me...

I agree that less is more! Want to keep things smart :cool:

LadyMissA

agrinnall wrote: »

Before you do any personalisation check to see if there are any rules about what is allowed on your desk, whether there is an overnight clear desk policy, etc. In a lot of places these rules are in place but regularly ignored, however, it might be wise to do very little for a few days after you start so that you can see what other people do.

yes best to ask what the policy is. I wasn't allowed anything personnal on the desk at all and at the end of the day the desk had to be clear, not even a pen!

*Beki*

@LadyMissA That sounds quite extreme! I seem to be pretty lucky as my office is very laid back about things like this- both managers have crayoned pics all over their walls from their kids and everyone has at least 1 pot plant!

ILW

This may be sexist, but I cannot imagine a man ever asking a question about decorating his desk.

LadyMissA

*Beki* wrote: »

@LadyMissA That sounds quite extreme! I seem to be pretty lucky as my office is very laid back about things like this- both managers have crayoned pics all over their walls from their kids and everyone has at least 1 pot plant!

Not extreme at all. Nothing allowed on the walls, no coats over chairs, no personnal anything anywhere. Its a professional business and has to be kept that way and create the right impression.

To the last poster - I don't know any female who would ask to decorate her desk either

magenta22

LadyMissA wrote: »

Not extreme at all. Nothing allowed on the walls, no coats over chairs, no personnal anything anywhere. Its a professional business and has to be kept that way and create the right impression.

I've had that too. Company had a clear desk policy.

If you can personalise the desk, then just a couple of photo's maybe?

*Beki*

Hahaha yes I suppose it is a fairly "girlie" thing to want to do, although both my managers are men and theirs are the most adorned walls (although I suppose with kids it might be a bit different, and they can get away with it more being "the boss") It's not like I want to make it ridiculous, I fully understand the need to keep an office professional and create a good impression- I guess I'm just a bit excited to have somewhere that is officially "my space"

lincroft1710

Your desk is a place of work, make it personal by not cluttering it with inessentials. It'll show your colleagues and bosses you're here to work and are behaving in a no-nonsense professional way.