How to Decorate an Office With Artwork & Plants

For anyone who invites visitors into his office, decor becomes nearly as important as functionality. Whether they mean to or not, guests will make assumptions about the person who conducts business from that office space. The wrong image can immediately get a business relationship off to a poor start. There is nothing complex about decorating an office in a tasteful way as long as you remember that your office is a direct reflection of you.

• 1

  Hang art that reflects the image you hope to convey. Think of the art in your office as an extension of yourself, a glimpse into what interest you. If you want to create a professional atmosphere, you certainly don't want to hang a poster of a kitten or a calendar featuring National Football League cheerleaders. The art you hang will tell visitors about you as business professional. Take your time to choose the kind of art that best represents the person you want to be perceived as. Once you've found art pieces that work, hang them at eye level and make sure that they are proportionate to your office space. Pieces that are too large can feel overwhelming, and pieces too small can make art seem like an afterthought.

• 2

  Include plants that will thrive. Good choices for office plants include snake plant, with swordlike leaves that grow tall and make an impressive impression; the easy-to-grow spider plant; pathos, which grows well in most types of lights; and philodendrons, climbers that can make even the smallest office seem taller. Each of these plants is likely to thrive with a little care. Plants provide life to a room and introduce an element of visual interest.

• 3

  Add artistic accessories. Don't forget to add touches that will make the office space uniquely yours. Simple black ribbon can be used to hang an arrangement of small photos in matching black frames. Placing an art light under a painting will add an air of sophistication to the room. Interesting planters in coordinating colors can also act as art and help anchor the space.

• 4

  Tie the design together. There should not be anything that feels like it has been thrown together in your office. Because the space reflects you, it should look as though it was planned and well executed. Make sure that the colors, in everything from the drapes to the furniture, coordinate. If you have any question, ask a friend or colleague who is good with color to help. Even if your furniture is not new, make sure that the pieces are from the same style. For example, you don't want to pair modern chairs with an antique desk. The office will look neater and more organized if the pieces fit together.