I was doing a bit of research on how to create an inviting, empowering space for everyone who enters through the front doors, and I wanted to share just a few tips I found and that we implemented, or are going to implement, into our company office space as well as my personal space at home.
First off, don’t allow practicality to take over your style. We are in the design world. We can make anything look good, and don’t you forget it! Whether your office space is big or small, it should always suit you and your company.
Tip #One: When styling your office, start with some playful, fun art. This will help inspire you to put your creative hat on and it will bring your place to life instantly. Oversized pieces are always good because they make a statement and tend to take up a majority of the wall. Anytime someone walks into your office, whether it be a potential client or a tour you are hosting, the art can become a conversation topic. Art also has a way of telling a story, and explaining who you are, so make sure you are presenting something you want to be associated with. Collages are also another creative and fun way to bring life into a space.
Tip #Two: Traffic flow is very important. In a small space this can be slightly difficult, especially if you want to have multiple sitting/lounging areas. Before committing to furniture and accessory placement, make sure you walk around the room and come up with a traffic pattern, just we would when Staging your properties. You don’t want to distract or disrupt the flow of traffic. Once you have found the perfect feel, it will encourage you to keep it in neat and tidy shape.
Tip #Three: If you enjoy a modern office space, this tip is for you. After reading a few articles, I came to the conclusion that light wood and black are very inviting, comforting colors and textures. Adding floating wood shelves to your walls, a sleek velvet black pillow, or a desk made from a light natural wood with black legs, all will help your office have that timeless and cosy feel. Now that I’m thinking about it, these colors and textures can add to the Scandinavian feel as well as modern. Think of the style you are drawn more towards, and try adding these colors and textures into your office space. The possibilities are endless.
Tip #Four: If you are like me, you are a bold accent chair kind of person. Adding that risky, unique chair injects character into your office. Get rid of the common swivel chair and replace it with the bold, playful one. Just remember, this is the chair you will sit in all day so you want it to be comfortable.
Tip #Five: Have you ever walked into a doctor’s office and the chairs or sofas were not very inviting and they just looked like you were about to sit on a thing of cardboard? Well that is not how you want your guests to feel. In the design world, it is essential to have a dedicated space where you can take a breather, use your creative mind, and enjoy some downtime with your co workers, while sitting in style and being comfortable. As I’m writing this blog post, I’m sitting with my feet up on the sofa, a blanket over my legs, and a pillow on my lap with my computer. This is the place my creativity flows--not at my desk. I am sure many of you feel this way as well. Adding accent pillows and a throw blanket on the sofa can turn a very average comfy sofa into a super cosy comfy sofa. Just remember to use one that is easy to clean just incase a client comes in with a child who has cheeto fingers. Also, since sofas are more of an expensive item, make sure you get a timeless one, and just change out the soft goods as the style changes throughout the months and years.
The smallest details can make a huge difference when it comes to your creativity and productivity in the workspace. Because we work in the design world, we need to make sure we are surrounded by it and endlessly inspired by it. The possibilities are endless when it comes to decorating your office space the way you want it, just make sure you do it with comfort in mind!
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