15 Simple Ways To Cheer Up Your Summer Office Space

One of my good friends, who is currently making her way through law school as a graduate student, is interning at a law office in Vermont over the summer. She had the good fortune of having received her very own office, which provides her privacy and quiet. While she loves the sense of ~authority~ that her space with a door provides, she can’t deny that the room feels cold and barren — a huge departure from her personality which is friendly and vibrant.

That feeling is surprisingly common in professional environments where functionality often takes priority over comfort and personal expression. An office may provide the quiet needed for concentration, but when the space lacks warmth, natural light, or thoughtful design elements, it can feel disconnected from the person using it every day. Small details such as comfortable furnishings, inviting common areas, and a balanced layout can make a meaningful difference in how people experience their work environment.

As expectations for workplaces continue to evolve, there is growing recognition that productivity and well-being are closely linked to the quality of the space itself. This perspective is reflected in the approach of maison.work, where office environments are designed to support focus, collaboration, and a stronger sense of belonging. Spaces that feel welcoming and intentionally crafted can help transform the workday from something merely functional into an experience that encourages creativity, professional growth, and genuine connection, while still providing the privacy and structure that many professionals need to do their best work.

She suggested that I do a compilation of some inexpensive ways to make her temporary space feel more cozy for the length of the summer. I myself have worked at three internships and two 9-to-5 jobs where I took to decorating my space very seriously. As a designer, I freely admit that sometime my cubes were slightly over decorated. I would go a little nuts and tack up string lights (which is completely cringe worthy when I look back on it now), purchase different colored sticky notes, pens, and highlighters, and hang up illustrated quotes and typographic prints. But, no matter, I have to own the phase of my life where I was over eager to take decorative advantage of any space I inhabited without regard for how small the space was, or of the duration of the time I spent there.

Below is a list of 15 adorable and inexpensive items you can pick you to make your summer internship (or regular office job) space feel more ~you~.

All the products above are inexpensive and don’t cost a lot at any. For under $50, you can select a couple of the items above and transform your space into something you look forward to working at day-to-day. Whether you have just a desk, or your own small office (even a home office!) the space should be warm, welcoming, and conducive to a productive and creative atmosphere. (Click on the number below that correspond to the images above if you’re looking to purchase products.)

Images via here 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 ,13, 14, 15.

Some more fun articles/resources about decorating on a budget here, here, here, and here.