Sure, sprucing up a workspace costs money, but it doesn’t have to break the bank. There are several ways to liven up your office without spending an arm and a leg, while still enjoying the benefits of the updo.

Angela Bonfante, an interior designer, coach and namesake of AB Kitchen Designs in Columbus, says even small changes to a workspace can leverage huge impacts. “If you’re working in a drab, dull or otherwise uninspiring office, it can be challenging to get those creative juices going,” she says.

Redecorating doesn’t have to outrageously expensive, she says. It’s important to consider your personal style and the message you want your workspace to communicate to you. Suggestions Bonfante makes for maximizing impact on a work area on a budget include:


1. Purchase a new acrylic lamp for a modern feel
2. Install a bold wallpaper to add some pop to the space
3. Paint the walls a bold color of blue or orange since those colors increase concentration while relaxing the body
4. Painting a chalkboard wall. Doing so can inject an industrial look while providing a large space for tracking progress and brainstorming ideas
5. Hang colorful artwork in modern black frames
6. Purchase an ergonomic desk chair in a bright color
7. Add a touch of nature with potted plants, real or silk
8. Declutter bookcases and purchase bins to store things
9. Add an area rug in bold colors to define the space
10. If your furniture is old and you can’t afford to buy something new, paint it in bold colors for a fresh look with pop

You spend countless hours in your workspace, so it’s essential to make it a place that evokes creativity, happiness and organization.