Your guide to everything cubicle

Working the standard nine to five usually comes with the same standard cubicle. And why wouldn’t it — it is, after all, the workplace of the 21st century. But if you must spend more than 2,000 hours a year in this humble abode, why not make the most of it — all within the bounds of professionalism, of course.
That’s what AtTask’s Bjorn Trejo did with his cube. Rather than begrudgingly stare at that same-old, same-old gray siding, the senior account manager now gazes at picturesque golf courses.
“Everyone who walks by is jealous,” he says.
The cubicle skin is courtesy CubeSkinz, and founder Matt McGhie touts the visual — and mental — effects of giving cubicles a face lift.
“Sprucing up your cubicle makes going to work a bit more bearable,” says McGhie, who has “wallpapered” cubicles in everything from corporate mission statements to the old Yankee Stadium. “If an employee can let out a little bit of their personality, it’s a bit easier to be a number in a crowd.”
Whether you want to make your coworkers envious or simply feel more at home, read on for the dos and don’ts of cubicle etiquette and design.
Welcome to Cubicle Life 101.
 
DO personalize your space with small touches. Not sure what your office considers to be a small touch? Take a look around. What’s in your coworkers’ cubicles? How does your boss decorate his or her office?
 
DON’T turn your cubicle into a shrine. Go ahead and decorate with family portraits, diplomas and pictures of your friends, but remember less is more.
 
DO bring nature indoors. Plants not only boost your mood but they also soak up pollutants and give off oxygen. If people around you have allergies, you may need to consider silk plants.
 
DON’T be offensive. Never display inappropriate pictures or messages. When in doubt, leave it out.
DO consider the exposure your cubicle gets. “A good rule of thumb is if something is detracting from your work or the work of those around you, it is unprofessional,” McGhie says.
 
DON’T forget about lighting. The quality of lighting significantly impacts productivity.
 
DO add a bit of color. This can be as subtle as swapping out your boring mouse pad for a colorful one.
 
DON’T let your cube become a pig sty.
 
DO add a conversation piece. Break the ice with a cool photo or classic knick-knack.
 
DON’T use speaker phone. Not only is this inconsiderate of others around you, it is unprofessional.
 
DO have some fun. Repression never was a good thing. “Don’t hesitate to define yourself, but don’t go overboard,” he says.

DON’T wear too much perfume or aftershave. Allergies are a concern, and strong scents can be distracting.
 
DO keep your personal calls to a minimum. Save conversations about your latest blind date for after work.

DON’T play your music for everyone to hear. Although some of us work best with music, many of us don’t. Strike up a compromise by investing in earphones. “Playing 2Pac loud enough for your area to hear may be expressing your personality, but it’s distracting,” McGhie says.
 
DO be discreet. If you overhear a conversation, keep it to yourself.
 
DON’T barge into a coworker’s cubicle. Treat the entrance of a cubicle like an office door.