How to Decorate Your Office

Co-authored by Juli Roland

Last Updated: April 21, 2021 References

If you have an office at work, you'll likely be spending a lot of time working in it. Because you'll be spending so much time in your office, it can be a good idea to decorate the space and make it one that you find inspiring and comfortable. You'll want to carefully consider how each decoration affects your office and think about what kind of message it sends to others.

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Decorating Your Office

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Bring in some plants. Adding some small plants to your office can be a great way to make your environment feel more natural, comfortable and personal. Some plants can add a pleasant fragrance or a unique splash of color to your office. If your office is feeling empty or boring, try picking out some of your favorite plants and adding them to your work space.^{[1]
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Cindy Hofen
Professional Organizer & Home Staging Specialist
Expert Interview. 13 February 2020.}
- Make sure you'll have enough space to store your plant.
- Decide if the color and shape of the plant will be a good fit with the rest of your decorations.
- Make sure your office has the right temperature and lighting that your plant requires.
- Don't forget to water your plant after you've added it to your office.
2
Add some photos to your office. You might not be able to bring your family to work with you, but you can bring in some family photos. Hanging up family photos can be a great way to showcase your family to coworkers or clients and can make your work space feel more like home. Try adding some family photos to your work space to make it more comfortable and personal.^{[3]
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- You might try keeping some photos close to your desk to easily remind you of home.
- You can try putting larger family photos around your office to help others feel at ease in your office.
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3
Use contact paper to add some decoration. If you are able to do so, adding contact paper to your office furniture or equipment can be a quick and easy way to bring some exciting color and style to your work space. Contact paper comes in a large variety of styles, allowing you to pick the pattern or color that's right for your office. Take some time to browse for your favorite styles of contact paper to help make your office space a unique one.^{[4]
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- Most types of contact paper will require you to peel off the backing and stick the paper onto whatever surface you'd like.
- Contact paper can easily be cut to conform to the shape of whatever surface you're applying it to.
- Make sure you aren't applying contact paper to anything that isn't yours.
4
Display some art. Many people who work in an office enjoy hanging up artwork that they find motivational or inspiring. Artwork can change the feel, style and mood of any space and offices are no different. Consider hanging some of your favorite pieces of art in your office to make it your own.^{[5]
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- Avoid any art that wouldn't be considered appropriate for your work place.
- Try to select art that sets the appropriate tone for your professional role.
- Displaying art can be a great way to show some of your personality to anyone visiting your office.
- You might ask local artists to display their work in your office to help connect with the community.
5
Use colors to create your ideal office space. Although colors may seem simple, they can have a big impact on how your office space feels. Colors can set various moods or present certain images to someone who visits your office. You'll want to carefully think about how the colors in your office are affecting the feel of the room or how other people might feel when visiting.^{[6]
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- Beige or white can be good choices for law or financial offices.
- A graphic artist's office might benefit from bright or vibrant colors.
- Try to select a color scheme that fits your professional role.
EXPERT TIP

Juli Roland
Certified Color Specialist
Juli Roland is a Color Specialist and the Founder of PaintColorHelp.com, one of the first companies in Dallas, Texas metro area that provides in-home color consultations and helps clients create paint color schemes. Juli has over 15 years of commercial and residential color consulting experience, including seven years as a custom-matcher in the paint industry. She earned her certification in color strategy from Camp Chroma and is a member of the Inter-Society Color Council. She has a BA in Advertising from Texas Tech University.

Juli Roland
Certified Color Specialist

Our Expert Agrees: In general, blues and greens tend to be good colors for focus and concentration. However, the chroma, or intensity, of a color has as much impact as which hue family it's from, so a lime or neon green won't be as restful as a softer shade.

Method 2

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Making Sure Your Decorations Are a Good Fit

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Know the rules of your office. Although you'll want to make your office a space of your own, you'll also want to follow the rules of the company you work for. Not all decorations or modifications will be acceptable to the overall mission or culture of your work place. Make sure you know that any decorations you plan on adding will be acceptable to avoid any conflict.^{[7]
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- Try asking a coworker, secretary, supervisor or human resources to learn more about your company's decoration rules.
- If you are unsure of how a particular decoration might be received, it's safe to leave it out.
- Bigger changes, like painting your office, will generally require you to obtain permission.
2
Think about the image your decorations present. Every decoration you add will be an opportunity to represent yourself, your attitudes and make a real impression on anyone visiting your office. You'll want to make sure your decorations are sending the right message before adding them to your work space.^{[8]
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- Ideally, your decorations will strike a balance between representing yourself personally and professionally.
- Bright and vibrant colors can suggest you are a passionate or creative person. Neutral colors might project a more conservative and direct personality.
- People tend to make snap decisions about you, based on how you've decorated your space. Make sure you're sending a message you're comfortable with.
3
Make the space your own. As long as you are sending the right message and following office rules, you'll want to make your office a space of your own. Your office should make you and your visitors comfortable while also giving people an idea of who you are as a person. Whatever details you choose to add, make sure that your office is a genuine expression of your style and personality.^{[9]
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- Feel free to make your office a space that is comfortable and inspiring.
- Your decorations should express your personality.

Method 3

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Making the Most of Your Space

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Think about storage. Managing your office space and making it work for you will require you to properly store your items. It's easy to let your office get cluttered or messy, forgetting to put items away after you're done using them or by simply having too many of them. You'll want to practice good storage techniques to help keep your space organized, clean and orderly.^{[10]
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- Don't let stacks of papers accumulate. Try to file things away as soon as you are done using them.
- Using containers can be a big help when trying to store away or organize the things in your office.
- Items that you don't use often can be good candidates for storage.
- It can be helpful to have smaller containers for the items or papers you do use often.
2
Manage wires and cables. Although many pieces of technology are wireless today, there are still a few that may need to be plugged in. These devices can create a mess, leaving you to deal with loose wires or cords. To help keep your workspace clean and clutter free, you'll want to properly manage any wires or cables in your office.^{[12]
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- You can use cable ties to bundle wires together.
- Try to tuck cables behind devices or behind your desk.
- Whenever possible, opt for wireless devices to help keep your desktop and office in order.
3
Keep things clean. Because you'll be busy with work, giving your office a cleaning might be overlooked. Every so often, you may want to take a few minutes to pick up around your office, throwing out any garbage, removing clutter or otherwise tidying up. Keeping your office clean can help make it a welcoming and comfortable space.^{[13]
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- Throw out any old documents or papers you no longer need.
- If your desk is cluttered with decorations, remove ones that you no longer want.
- Make sure any trash is thrown out at the end of each day.
- Put things that you aren't using away.
- A clean space can make a great first impression.
4
Find the right furniture for your office. The furniture you choose will bring a certain style to your office and can also help you stay comfortable during your work day. You'll want to take some time and choose furniture that sets the style you're after and keeps you comfortable while you work.^{[15]
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- It's usually a good idea to buy furniture one piece at a time, instead of buying enough for your whole office.
- Make sure you select an ergonomic chair that is a good fit for your body type.
- Select a desk that is a good height for you.
- Consider getting a bookshelf for your office to display and store things on.^{[17]
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  Cindy Hofen
  Professional Organizer & Home Staging Specialist
  Expert Interview. 13 February 2020.}
- Depending on the size of your office, you may want a nice guest chair or accent chair.^{[18]
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  Expert Source
  
  Cindy Hofen
  Professional Organizer & Home Staging Specialist
  Expert Interview. 13 February 2020.}
- Consider the size of any furniture you plan on including in your office.
- It can be helpful to make a floor plan before shopping for office furniture.

Community Q&A

Question

How about wooden wall art?

Community Answer

You'll want to check the rules for hanging art in your office before doing so. However, as long as the piece is tasteful and appropriate for your position, there will likely be no trouble with wooden wall art.