When one works full time, they are spending most of their weekly time at their job than they are in the more leisurely pursuits of daily life. While we are used to finding those small luxuries in our free time that make our daily lives a more pleasant experience, that does not mean that we can’t also carve out these moments for our working lives as well. I worked from home for four years and that made it easy to enjoy small moments of luxury throughout the day, but now I work a more hybrid schedule of two days at home and three days in the office. While I took a few weeks to settle in and to also learn my new job, I also started to find ways to incorporate small luxuries into my office life that would elevate the workday. These small luxuries not only create a more pleasant workday, but they also reinforce the idea that details of the everyday, no matter at what capacity, is what truly matters when it comes to living a more enjoyable everyday life. Here are the small luxuries that I have been enjoying that elevates my workday while in-office.
enjoy a coffee (or other hot drink) first thing in the morning
While I could simply drink my coffee at home before going to work, I specifically save the experience for when I get to work. After packing up my workbag, driving to work and getting to my desk, it provides a moment of respite to start the morning. I will make the coffee at home with my Nespresso machine and put it in travel mug that keeps it hot for hours. Once I get settled in at the office, I will put in my headphones, put on a jazz in the background playlist and pour myself a cup of coffee. From there I can ease into my morning and take my time getting into a working flow. This simple luxury of being able to enjoy a coffee and some light jazz provides a start to the morning that I find myself looking forward to each day that I am in-office.
keep a favorite ceramic mug at work
Speaking of enjoying hot drinks at work, another small luxury that elevates the workday is to keep a favorite ceramic mug at the office to drink from. In the beginning I would simply drink my coffee from the travel mug, but after a couple of weeks I simply took in a traditional ceramic mug and that one small detail changed how much I enjoyed drinking my coffee at work. It felt more refined as well as creating a simple pleasure from using a beautiful mug versus a travel cup or even a paper cup. It was truly an ah-ha moment for me that made me wonder why I had not been doing this all along. I took in my white Anthropologie mug that has a lid (which is great for keeping the drink hot as well as keeping anything from falling into it) and I keep it there for my personal use for everyday that I am in the office.
upgrade your office supplies
While there is a good chance that your office provides basic supplies for you such as pens, paperclips, etc. why not make a small investment and upgrade these for yourself? This will elevate your overall workday while completing tasks as you’ll get to do it in a style that you love. My office supplies are a neutral chic style where I incorporate many neutral-colored items with beautiful accents of gold. Defne your work style and start to incorporate the details into your work supplies for an elevate experience while working.
have a beautiful piece of artwork on display
This can come in a few different forms, whether you bring an actual piece of artwork, a small decor item on display, or a beautiful calendar, bring in a piece of art that you enjoy. I purchase a calendar each year from Carleigh Courey (you can also find her on Instagram) and display her beautiful artwork each and every month. There are so many artists out there who also creates monthly calendars or if you just like the art you can also simply cut them out. But create your own sanctuary at work and display some artwork that elevates your environment.
bring in a small desk lamp
If I had to pick one thing that I could eliminate from office life it would be the fluorescent lighting. The lights can be quite harsh and bright and that is why I bring in a small desk lamp for my desk. While I cannot eliminate the fluorescent lights from the office, I can neutralize it around my desk with a small lamp that provides warm lighting. This one thing elevates my entire workspace more than any other element. The warm lighting provides a space that is cozy and more welcoming to work within and for such a small investment too as my small lamp was only $12 from Target. Create an inviting space to work in with this small luxury that pays in big dividends.
make the office your runway
Office life can indeed be a stylish life too. I enjoy creating so many stylish office outfits from my closet every morning. I feel like the opening scene of The Devil Wears Prada when it shows the montage of all the stylish New York girls getting ready to go work at Runway Magazine. It creates an opportunity for me to dress in outfits that I love and it’s such a small luxury to do the small thigs like finding the perfect pair of earrings or shoes to go with my outfit. Have fun with your closet and pretend like you too are getting ready for a day at the office at Runway Magazine and even create a fun playlist to get ready to as well. Dressing up each day elevates not only the everyday, but also your confidence to take on the day as well.
enjoy an afternoon tea at your desk
When I first started working back at the office, I would go to Starbucks each day to get a flat white for the afternoon. But, after I purchased this Paris Tea that I fell in love while in NYC, I decided that instead of spending the time and money to go get an afternoon hot drink, why not create one for myself? That is when I started having an afternoon tea right at my desk. You can also incorporate some simple elements of an afternoon tea as well to be enjoyed. Some ideas may be to bring a small. pretty dish and enjoy a petite teatime treat such as Madeleines (which you can get a Trader Joe’s or even Starbucks), shortbread, a small scone (which you can bake at home or get some small vanilla bean scones from Starbucks), or even simply get a pack of elevated cookies from Pepperidge Farm from your local grocery store. They have many lovely varieties such as Chessmen Butter, Milano dark chocolate or fruit Verona’s. You can create your own personal afternoon teatime very simply and it will provide a small luxurious moment to savor in the afternoon.
invest in a luxury hand cream
When you’re in an office you find that you are washing your hands a lot more than at home. That’s because at home after touching doors, handles or eating you are not as worried about the germs and bacteria as much as you are when in an office. I work in an office building that can house thousands of people and it is also a corporate office building, so we also get a lot of out-of-towners in for meetings and trainings. That is a lot of opportunities to pick up a virus if one is not diligent in hand washing. But with a lot of hand washing can also come the potential for very dry hands, especially if like me you are also touching paper a lot throughout the day. That is why I invest in a bottle of luxury hand cream to keep at the office. Not only does it feel silky smooth when applying to my hands, but the scent is also one that is very luxurious. I use the Ouai in the scent of St. Honore as this one is my favorite. When I apply the lotion, it also gives me a moment of luxury by taking care of myself as well as being able to enjoy the lovely scent. This simple luxury saves my hands from getting too dried out throughout the workday, and it also gives me a moment to elevate my selfcare even during the workday.
Lovely & cozy post! I love the soothing jazz too. I love putting it on in the background as my students enter my classroom. It is soothing and creates a whole vibe.🤩
I also agree a 100% about the stationary, it all matters and elevates so much.🤗 Afternoon tea and the cozy lamp is such a great addition, thank you for sharing. 🤍
The soothing jazz is such a lovely background music for work, I love that you also use it to set the mood at work. I’m so happy that you found some inspiration in today’s post too, especially try the cozy lamp, it’ll make a huge difference 🙂
I’ve watched the opening scene of The Devil Wears Prada so many times! Inspiring for sure. Unfortunately, dressing for the office seems like a lost art. Even though my office has gotten more casual, it’s something I won’t give up. I’d love to work alongside you and see your outfits each day.
Thank you so much Kelsie, that is so nice of you to say 🙂 I agree that there is a lost art of dressing for the office and like you I too do not give up dressing well for the office or anywhere. I’m happy that you found some inspiration from this post!