If you work in a cubical come in!

[thewop]

So...I'm losing a nice big private office for a cubical (same job, they're just moving me closer to my "team").  Tell me it's going to be ok!  LOL.  How do you "decorate" your cube to make it feel homey?  How do you deal with lack of privacy?  I won't be able to close my door anymore when I'm having a bad day    I sound like a giant diva, but I'm pretty pissed about having to move.  I feel like I'm being demoted.  I'll be sharing my cube area with 2 other women.  Thoughts?  Encouragement?  Ideas?

[womet]

I changed jobs in September and went from having an office to being in a cube. It's certainly been an adjustment. Since my back faces the "door", I got a mirror for my monitor so I know when someone approaches from behind (http://www.amazon.com/iViEW-Computer-Laptop-Monitor-Mirror/dp/B007TLABSY). I also have pictures up on the cubicle walls, some plants. I've been thinking of getting a cute calendar from etsy that I can hang up too.

[thewop]

Jan 24, 2013 9:34:53 GMT -5 womet said:

I changed jobs in September and went from having an office to being in a cube. It's certainly been an adjustment. Since my back faces the "door", I got a mirror for my monitor so I know when someone approaches from behind (http://www.amazon.com/iViEW-Computer-Laptop-Monitor-Mirror/dp/B007TLABSY). I also have pictures up on the cubicle walls, some plants. I've been thinking of getting a cute calendar from etsy that I can hang up too.

 Oh!  I never would have thought of the mirror!  Good idea. Thanks!

[ssmjlm]

I have a few prints from etsy framed, a plant (that won't die, lol) a personalized calendar, and some photos. That's about it.

I try not to keep it too personal mostly b/c we move a lot with this job and I hate packing it all up every couple years (yay for reorgs).

I went from an office at my old job to cubicleville. Even my boss has a cubicle.

[Deleted]

I had an office for years and then I went to work for a corporation and got a cubicle. It is an adjustment but it really isn't that bad. Bring in photos, plants, artwork, etc. and make it your own personal space. I don't like the idea of someone walking up behind me either. I have mine arranged so I can see people approaching from the corner of my eye. You may be able to arrange your workstation so that can see people approaching. I sometimes stream music on my computer and I just pop in an earbud so I can hear the music but still hear what's going on around me.

It will take getting used to but it's really not a huge deal, I promise.

[annalatte]

I am in the same boat - went from office to cubicle land when I switched jobs and companies.  I have my own cube with high walls, but the noise still travels.  The lady on the other side of my wall is so loud, it's distracting.  A lot of people here wear ear buds and listen to Pandora to drown out the noise. 

As far as decor goes, I bought a pretty, colorful calendar and coordinating file folders from Target: www.target.com/p/12-ct-greenroom-recycled-file-folders/-/A-13421699#prodSlot=medium_1_2&term=file+folders

I have photo frames and art my toddler made at daycare hanging up. I bought decorative push pins, too (http://www.amazon.com/Quartet-Bubble-Assorted-Designs-79225/dp/B004J2OL1E/ref=sr_1_6?s=office-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1359039299&sr=1-6&keywords=push+pins). 

Next, I will get a small plant. My cube neighbor has a Keurig.

[hausfrau]

I kind of enjoy working in a cube over an office because I feel a bit less isolated. I do have a window in my cube, so that is nice. If it gets too noisy while I'm working, I just put earbuds in and listen to music.

I like facing the "door" of my cube and have my desks set up facing that way, with a table running along the back for projects and whatnot. I have a big bulletin board with pictures and some of my son's art projects from school. Some other people in the office have plants and posters up.

Sharing a space can be hard at first, but I think you'll get used to it quickly. If everyone sort of sets up their little areas and is respectful of everyone's desks, I think it will work out fine.

I've never been particularly attached to one work space because I'm used to jobs where I've had to move around a lot or not have a permanent space of my own, but I totally understand your feelings about being shuttled from an office space to a cube. It's not really a demotion, but when you're attached to a place and work well in it, it can be a hard adjustment when you're thrown into a totally different thing like a shared cube.

[ssmjlm]

Wop-here's the etsy seller I got the prints from. I just put them in some inexpensive Ikea frames, but it was a nice way to dress up my cubicle a bit.

www.etsy.com/shop/pixiepixels

[thewop]

Jan 24, 2013 10:23:50 GMT -5 ssmjlm said:

Wop-here's the etsy seller I got the prints from. I just put them in some inexpensive Ikea frames, but it was a nice way to dress up my cubicle a bit.

www.etsy.com/shop/pixiepixels

 These are fantastic!  I might have to get some for my cube and home!

[FoxInFiji]

Basically everyone in my office is in cubicals even the project managers and principles. We only have 4 private offices out of +280 people. There are lots of huddle rooms and small conference rooms you can use to have a private call/conversation so it works. I get a full U and it's next to the window so it's not bad at all. Our cubicals are nice (maple partitions and cabinets) so I haven't decorated at all but I do tape up some 11x17 color renderings/photos of past projects I've worked on. I also have a mini calendar and 3 framed photos (also in maple) on my desk. All the rest of my counter space I need for sets of drawings.

A lot of people hang up framed certificates or diplomas in their cubicals. Do you have anything like that you'd want to display?

[emoflamingo]

I had a cubicle. Then I had a desk in an entry when I got my new job. Now I have an office at one location and a desk out in the open in another. That I share, despite there being TWO desks. Maybe it's just me, but if I was starting at a new office, I'd probably NOT try and cram my stuff onto the desk someone else has been using for 2 years... (I'm a little bitter. I found the picture of my mom tossed UNDER the desk where your feet go.)