Decorating your desk may seem trivial, but studies show people are happier, healthier and at least 32 percent more productive when they spruce up their workspaces.
According to a study done by the University of Exeter in the United Kingdom, people are happier and more motivated when they have increased control over their workspaces.
Individuals who decorated their desks with plants and pictures were at least 17 percent more productive in their work, while those who had total creative control over decor were more productive.
A similar study by Texas A&M University showed that having plants or flowers in one’s work area increased problem-solving, idea generation, creative performance and innovation among both men and women.
How do BYU students spice up their workspaces? Karen McCann, a pre-business major from Waco, Texas, believes decorating one’s own workspace with pictures and color can make it feel more like home and being creative with desk decor can be a good outlet from the mundane.
McCann said her desk is personalized with pictures of family and friends, along with yellow accessories, her favorite color.
“I would rather decorate (it) myself,” McCann said. “That way it feels more homey because you are going to be there a lot.”
There are a few ways to perk up a dorm room desk, and many businesses offer alternatives to drab and routine office supplies.
One such company is Poppin, a work style company that seeks to reinvent the college dorm room by adding color and creativity to the average desk.
Poppin offers colorful and stylish alternatives to commonplace office supplies such as staplers, scissors, organizational drawers, picture frames and much more.
Meredith Zenkel, Poppin’s public relations director, said the company’s goal is to allow individuals to personalize spaces that make them happy and reflect who they are.
“It makes doing work feel easier,” Zenkel said. “Our products offer a way for college students to distinguish themselves and form an identity.”
Zenkel also said a personalized, decorated workspace can make the transition to college a little easier. It helps people feel more comfortable in a new place.
Poppin wants people to consider how much they use office products and, by so doing, realize that adding creativity to the mundane office space can make doing work easier.
