Desk decorum in the office

By Karen Salmansohn | Special to amNewYork

April 28, 2008

If your job takes place primarily behind a desk, chances are you work in a cubicle (my condolences). It's inevitable that you'd want to spruce up the dreary décor. Unless of course, you enjoy staring at that bland, oatmeal-colored fabric day-in, day-out. But as you are sharing your space with, well, the entire office, you want to make sure your decorating decisions don't alienate your co-workers or offend the big boss. Below are some tips to keep in mind when livening up your office space.

Tell Pam to take a holiday While we all have our "Baywatch" crushes (I'm partial to Hobie), a calendar of the cast decked out in speedos and scantily clad bikinis might send out the wrong message to co-workers. Sexually suggestive calendars or posters (yes, that includes the fireman's calendar) makes a lot of people uncomfortable (this goes double if you're working in a co-ed environment). Instead, why not bring color into your space with some Claude Monet watercolors. Though this choice may be tamer, it exudes sophistication.

Keep the hairbrush at home Your desk is not a bathroom. As a result, grooming products such as lipstick, cosmetic mirrors and deodorant should not be out on display on your desk. While handy, these products clutter up your space and may make you seem vain. You¹re there to work, not pick up dates.

Leave the party at the bar We've all done things we'd rather not remember. In fact, we wouldn't remember them if it weren't for those pesky, lingering pictures. Those belong somewhere locked away in private, not sitting casually on your desk. You may be trying to look cool in front of co-workers, but you just end up looking like you're trying too hard.

Separate work from home There's nothing wrong with wanting to make your desk space comfortable, but Yankee Candles and throw pillows may only serve to make you seem less serious about your work. Remember, you want your space to reflect your hard work, not your home-ec skills.

Keep your humor in check In many offices, it is de rigueur to have a funny cartoon pasted somewhere above your desk. When choosing how to express your humor, however, it is important not display something too crass or sinister. Remember, you are sharing your space, and not everyone is going to appreciate you wit, so when in doubt, tame it down.

Remember, every office environment is different, so when deciding how to express yourself at work, take a cue from your cubicle-mates, and from your boss. This should giave you a decent sense of what¹s acceptable.

Karen Salmansohn is a best-selling author, with over one-million books sold. For more career advise, visit www.notsalmon.com