Credit: Katherine Jalaty
We know how offices can be: everyone gets the same chair, the same desk, the same computer, and even the same pens, pencils, and Post-Its. But if you've always felt that the only way to add some personality to your industrial-gray cube is with a few framed vacation photos and maybe a calendar, then we've got just the thing: eight foolproof DIY projects that make the most of supplies you already have—from file folders to paint chips—and leave your space brighter, cheerier, and more you. Try a few and then head over to our View and Vote: The Best DIY Projects for Your Office to let us know your favorites.
1. Fabric Covered Folders: Give those manillas a new look—or cover up the dirt and wrinkles that come with heavy use—with this simple project that we found on Design Sponge; old sheets (or any other thin, vintage fabric) are just the right thickness for attaching to your file folders, giving them a new look without bulking up your cabinet.
2. Detergent Cap Pencil Holder: Always searching for your favorite pen or a sharpened pencil, and coming up empty because you keep them all in a jumbled mess in your drawer? Turn an old laundry detergent cap into a sleek holder for your go-to writing instruments and never get caught short taking notes for the boss again.
3. Bottle Cap Laptop Stand: You may love the portability of your laptop (after all, it lets you work from home...on the porch...in the sun, instead of being chained to your desk) but overheating can put a serious dent in your productivity. Build a stand for your notebook with plastic bottle caps and a spare pillow—and then enjoy your afternoon outside while your coworkers are stuck in the office.
4. Homemade Envelopes: Envelopes are little more than folded paper—and who doesn't have plenty of that around the house? From old magazine covers and pages folded into bright squares to sheets from books in disrepair, you can add your own personal touch to your next mailing with these simple instructions.
5. Record Case Coasters: Your company may not have an official policy on coasters, but if you've ever dropped a just-printed report into a puddle of condensation left by your 4 p.m. iced coffee then you'll appreciate the usefulness of this project—and if you've ever wished your coworkers saw your rock-and-roll side (and not just your dark-suit-and-tie side) then upcycing vinyl record cases will be the perfect touch.
6. DIY Photo Frame: So maybe a photo frame is the only thing you already have on your desk—why not make it more eco-friendly by using a jar or cup for a fun, funky shape? Plain black frames won't do much for showing off your personal style, but this easy project lets you display your favorite shots (and your green ethics).
7. Sketchpad Calendar: Making your own datebook is a cinch with these instructions: just print out calendar pages for the year and attach them to alternating pages of an old sketchbook for durability. Then use the facing page as a mat for your own artwork, photos, collages, or prints from your favorite artists.
8. Pocket-Sized Notebooks: Forget Post-Its: Make your own pint-sized notebooks from scrap paper and old paint chips. They'll stay closed with a tiny button and keep all your to-do reminders at hand, so you can avoid a desk cluttered with tiny bits of paper without forgetting those important tasks.
Vote on your favorite DIY projects for the office.
