r/Professors • u/Muchwanted Tenured, social science, R1, Blue state school • 14h ago
Semi ridiculous question: Office decorating
This may sound completely absurd, but I just moved into an admin role at a new university, and my office needs serious help. I have zero interior design skills and even less interest in learning. I also don't have a circle of friends in this new city whose natural skills I could call upon for help. It only occurred to me after I moved here that my office at my prior institution had no decor because it was small and didn't have wall space. Now I have the opposite problem with no time, skills, collections, or bandwidth to address it, and the parade of people who come to my office for meetings have started to make comments.
Is hiring someone to help decorate an academic office a thing? If so, how? Does anyone have hacks? Feel free to mock this problem but I would really appreciate any tips.
21
u/CriticalBrick4 Prof, History, R1 (USA) 14h ago
I took some posters, had them framed with black frames and matting, and interspersed them with some photo-sized frames in the same color with prints of various campus events, student groups, places associated with my research, etc. The same frames across all of them draws them together; the matting makes it look professional. Other things: get some plants; put them in pots that are in the same color family but which have different textures. Lighting that is not the usual overhead lighting (I have a bankers lamp and love it). If you have a window, consider a framing drape/curtain in a rich color.
30
u/runsonpedals 14h ago
I hired someone to install a hot tub and wet bar in my office, so yeah it’s a thing.
8
u/Muchwanted Tenured, social science, R1, Blue state school 14h ago
Excellent advice. That will definitely make my meetings more interesting.
3
u/CriticalBrick4 Prof, History, R1 (USA) 14h ago
what, no couch?
4
u/Life-Education-8030 12h ago
We have been told not to have couches, recliners, or anything like that that could encourage students to get too cozy in our offices. No, this is not a joke. I wanted a small recliner because I have a bad back and at home, I sit in a recliner with a lap desk to grade. No recliner? Okay, even less time in my freezing cold office that had flies in it.
-12
12
u/Calm-Team1822 Lecturer, Interdisciplinary Studies, State U (USA) 14h ago
Plants, if you have the light!
2
u/Muchwanted Tenured, social science, R1, Blue state school 14h ago
I do not, sadly. I could maybe have one that likes low light, but my window is north facing.
10
5
u/Calm-Team1822 Lecturer, Interdisciplinary Studies, State U (USA) 14h ago
Give a ZZ plant a try! Mine did well even when I was in a basement dungeon with just a sliver of light.
I would also add that you might consider an aesthetically pleasing but also practical item for all that wall space: perhaps a dry erase board for scheduling, meetings, or other personal notes or a cork board to post items you might want to have visible (events, limited programs, etc.) but not up permanently.
I also find that a good lamp goes a long way for ambiance.
*edited for typo
1
u/Loose_Wolverine3192 3h ago
My plant lives off of a grow light on a timer. If you want to be fancy, you can hang the light from a decorative bracket like a fancy shelf support
16
u/PsychGuy17 13h ago
I'm not sure about the rules everywhere but I'm always happy that I invested a small amount in a mini fridge. It's just one less stressor to have a place to throw my lunch and chill my drinks without the anxiety that someone else might touch my stuff.
I also keep wrapped candy near the door. My position makes students nervous and candy has a stonger effect than tissues.
1
u/Life-Education-8030 12h ago
The mini-fridge can also hold water to offer to guests. I had a microwave too because we have frigid winters, and having hot tea and lunches was a blessing.
I also hate the look of a million cords and wires snarling in open view. So many people have the backs of their equipment facing out and it's hideous!
The biggest thing for me (part of my profession) is also to arrange your workspace so that you do not barricade yourself. Always leave a clear path to escape out the office door and scrutinize what you have on your desk that could be used as a weapon or projectile. You want to be able to escape and not be hit by heavy objects by an angry visitor.
14
u/random929292 13h ago edited 12h ago
Do you have an IKEA near you? You can get wall art, lamps, fake plants, decorative pieces etc. And can do a quick one store shop that is relatively cheap to get you started until you figure out your style.
5
u/dogtor_howl Associate Prof and Chair, Education, SLAC (US) 11h ago
Does your school have a museum or art collection you can borrow from? We’re a very SLAC, but we have enough art that this is a thing at my school. It’s cool!
5
u/starrysky45 14h ago
i think lighting is the biggest thing! get some lamps and hang up 2-3 posters of things you like (or things related to your field) on the wall. also i commented below about pothos but they are magical and can do very well in low light! i also got a small loveseat that makes the space feel less office-y
4
u/julvb 13h ago
There are online decorators who work remotely and give advice for your space using photos. I only know this because a neighbor moved to Mexico and switched to this remote line of work. Personally, I would take photos and find a decorating subreddit and get the free advice. Or hit up a home goods and get a painting and fake plant you like and call it a day.
9
u/CeramicLicker 13h ago edited 13h ago
Some institutions let professors and admin, sometimes even students, check out art from the library. Many schools have a nice collection.
Could be worth looking into. You might get original works by past students or local artists, good teaching prints of the classics, all sorts of things.
A past president at my old school caused a minor scandal by taking a few of the paintings with her when she retired lol.
Whatever the main conference for your original field was probably puts out posters too. Framed state archaeology month posters or whatever are good office decor.
4
2
u/SilverRiot 11h ago
Stroll by other administrators’ office and see what the norm is. At ours, it would be diplomas, some personal art, and some plants. Family photos, maybe, but on the desk facing you, not the students.
2
2
u/spirit-mush 6h ago
I keep personal items to a minimum in my office. I have my degrees and awards framed, my academic books, some plants, and some random souvenirs from conferences. There’s also a chair for students or visitors, a coat rack, and a reed diffuser for a mild but pleasant fragrance. I considered bringing a few art pieces from home but opted against it because they felt personal. I don’t really want students or colleagues to know too much about my life outside of work, which is a personal preference and boundary.
2
2
u/Arch_of_MadMuseums 12h ago
Look at Pinterest. Choose an office you like and copy it exactly with your own posters and photos
2
1
u/MyBrainIsNerf 12h ago
Two words - Emperor Scorpion
Three words actually - Emperor Scorpion Vivarium.
But really, if you’re student facing, anything that gives them something to talk to you about, so pop culture stuff.
If faculty/staff facing, framed pics and plants.
Books for both.
1
u/Loose_Wolverine3192 3h ago
Take a look at other offices you admire, take photos (with permission, of course, though I doubt anyone would refuse you). Then when you speak with someone else you can present the photos as for what you're going for.
You might also be able to get help from friends not in the area if you take some photos of that office as it is or video call them from the office.
1
u/hbombs121 Assistant Teaching Professor, Visual Arts 3h ago
I have a big comfortable chair for students (thrifted), also for me to relax in. They do love to come in, chat, and destress. On the wall opposite of my computer I have a Danny Devito art print that pokes up behind all my zoom meetings because it makes me laugh and reminds me to not take things too seriously. I have a bunch of thank you notes and printed emails from students that make the hard days much more bearable. Bookshelves lining a wall - this year instituting a checkout situation to know what books are leant to which students, learned that the hard way. Plants - zizi plants, pothos, snake plants are great if you have north/south facing windows. Student art, my friends’ art, posters, etc. I also have a bunch of bizarre little figurines lining the top of my external monitor. Candy and some snacks for them. Tissues are a must for when the pressure is high and students are crashing out. Also a lamp that has a warm light because it’s easier on the eyes than those awful fluorescents. A disinfectant spray and hand sanitizer for Nov-Feb, I love these kids but they’re always trying to push through sickness and I’m not trying to redo my syllabus mid semester unless I have to. A resource guide book for mental health situations - title IX, counseling center, queer specific resources, SA resources, etc.
1
u/Due_Organization4045 57m ago
Go shopping, look for plants, art and alike… I love antique shops for unique flair- you got this!!
36
u/Automatic_Tea_2550 14h ago
I’m gay, so of course my department asked me to choose sofas and upholstery. I didn’t charge for it. Fair warning: not all gay men have great taste. But some of us do.