So, you moved into a new office and it’s boring, basic, and has no vibe. Let’s be honest, we spend a lot of time at work. Our work environment is just as important as home. Your surroundings can have a huge impact on how you feel. There have been several studies done to determine colors that make people feel certain ways.
Let’s talk about how to turn that drab office into a Fab office. Most office buildings have a set color scheme and you aren’t going to be able to paint the walls or make permanent changes. No biggie-you can still find ways to make it your own.
When I started my new position as a Health & Wellness Coach at the VA, they didn’t have an office ready for me. I spent the first couple months working out of a conference room (which was a nice space with great natural lighting-shown below). That time gave me a chance to plan for when my office was available.
I see patients in my office so I wanted the space to be a calming yet motivating atmosphere-that’s the health coach in me. I wanted it to be “Zen”. Zen means peace and relaxing. So where do you start when planning a Zen office makeover or any makeover for that matter?
Start with a vision. What type of atmosphere do you want? What style-Traditional, Country, Bohemian, Shabby Chic? You can check Pinterest for inspiration and ideas. This will give you a direction to go in. For me, I was looking for a feeling. My goal was for the atmosphere to feel calm, cozy and welcoming. Something where earthy meets modern.
Next, choose a theme. This may or may not pertain to your job. For example, you may choose a car theme if you work at a car dealership. Some other theme ideas are sports, under water, nature and space. In my case, “Health & Wellness” was the perfect theme for my office space.
Now that you have a style and a theme, time to pick a color. Colors evoke emotional, physical, mental reactions. Are you looking for feelings like excitement, hope, motivation etc.? What are you trying to accomplish in this space? There are 7 colors on the color wheel, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet. Each stimulate or increase certain responses. You can research colors for your particular purpose.
As a Health & Wellness Coach, I want my patients to feel calm and centered yet motivated to make positive changes. I chose blue as my primary shade to increase calmness and self-expression. It also matched well with the neutral tones that were already in the space. I used a few shades of blues that complimented each other.
Time for the fun part…the decor! You chose your style, theme and color. So where to start? This requires you to take a look at your individual space, how much wall space and color, windows, type of flooring etc. This will determine what you purchase. You may have to move some furniture around to maximize space or clear a certain wall. Also, make sure you are aware of the rules in the building. Here is my office before I moved the furniture around.
Think about what items are dual purpose, functional for work as well as decor. These items include decorative folders, office supplies and even books. I purchased several things from Amazon (listed below).
As far as wall decor, there are so many routes to go. What fits your style and theme? There are many options to choose from, hand painted artwork, photographed pictures, quotes, canvas artwork etc. What type and color frames? Who would have thought there would be this much thought going into a piece of decor? It all comes down to your vision.
I chose to go with quotes, hoping to bring some motivation and ideas to my patients. I found the perfect set on Etsy. Even better, they were just printable downloads with size options. I measured my office wall, found a frame set on amazon and ordered the picture sizes I needed from my local drugstore print service. Voila!
This display of health & wellness quotes is not only a great conversation piece but also brings my vision together. Another way to tie your vision together is to add a rug that supports you style, theme and color. This can be tricky depending on the type of floor. The last thing you want is a rug that clashes rather than compliments your decor. The other option is to get a rug that covers more of the floor. I chose a rug that incorporated all the shades of blue to tie the design together.
I dedicated the smaller wall above my desk to my diploma and course certifications. I also added a cute little quote. I planned ahead and left space on the left and right for future certifications.
You can add functional things like a mini fridge or coffee corner while still keeping with your theme. Using fridge magnets and certain small shelves and stands can complement your vision. I added a cozy coffee shelf in my office with cups hanging on hooks. I also added a very small fireplace, it’s not only cozy but also keeps me toasty warm during these cold Upstate NY winters. Brrrrr.
Now that you have the main decor, you can add small touches that complement the design such as plants, lights, books etc. I am lucky to have a beautiful window in my office so I filled it with plants. I also added features like a salt lamp, essential oil diffuser and a blanket over the chair to bring a sense of calm and cozy to the environment.
Other things I added that were functional and decorative were an oversized wall calendar, mirror, and wall clock.
Side note- using command wall strips and hooks is super easy, convenient and not permanent.
Finally, add the small details. This means all the personal touches to make it your own. You might want to add a small candy dish, personal pictures, meaningful gifts etc. These items complete the look while personalizing it. The office upgrades might make coming to work a little more enjoyable. So, what’s your vision? I would love to hear your ideas and see the completed projects!
