Customizing your Cubicle

According to several random sources, today is National Cubical Day. There's no wikipedia entry about it yet, but a little googling claims that it started on October 2, 2006. Yeah, doesn't make sense to me either. But in celebration of this supposed holiday, I will use it as today's topic.

Sure, cubicles have their downfalls. The lack of privacy, with everyone being able to hear your phone conversations. The lack of windows. And often, the lack of space. But it can still be your own space that you can make more comfortable and your own. Here are some ways you can customize your cubicle.

Put up posters or wall calendars

Cubicle walls can be tacked upon just like office walls. Often times, even easier with cardboard or cloth walls, than leaving holes in dry wall. I modified upon this theme and pinned a 'I <3 Robots' button onto my cloth cubicle wall.

Put up pictures or drawings

This is similar, but more personable. You can put up pictures of your family or friends. Since I am unmarried with no children though, I prefer not having personal pictures up. Instead I have drawings done by my boyfriend's nieces.

Bring in plants

I've seen coworkers bring in fresh cut flowers everyday. My father keeps a spider plant in his cube. Personally, I prefer not having to do so much to upkeep my plants, so I've kept mini cacti and small bamboo plants in my cube instead (which need little watering).

Bring in figurines and toys

Don't clutter your desk with too many of these, but a small toy can bring a lot of character to your cube. I used to keep a one foot tall figurine of The Brain from Pinky and the Brain on my bookshelf. As I mentioned Friday, I've had a coworker who had Jabba the Hutt in his cube. I've also seen the Robosapien and others. You can also find some "cubicle goodies" at ThinkGeek under their geek toys section. When I had a large cubicle with a ton of desk space at one company, I kept a full-sized go board on my desk and set-up a problem on the board. It was fun for people taking a break to stop by and stare at the problem, and a great conversational piece for people walking by for the first time to stop by and actually meet me.

Devote one drawer to snack food

Have your snack food hidden away so people won't take your food while you're not around. But have it so people who get the afternoon munchies might wander over and ask if your drawer is currently stocked with something good. You can either tell them no and make them go away, or open up the drawer and show off what goodies it may hide.

What are ways you've decorated your cube(s)?