Top Ten Quick and Easy Office Design Ideas

1 ) Add Water to your office

Adding water to your office space is a very quick office design idea, and is one that will work with any budget (if you are looking for cheap decorating ideas). A small fountain or fish tank will do the job for very little out of pocket cost, while a large custom built saltwater tank can be built almost anywhere for those with larger budgets.

2 ) Add a mirror

Adding a mirror or two can really open up what might otherwise be a closed office space. It does not even have to be a large mirror. Additionally, with all the shapes, sizes and frames to choose from, you can find the perfect fit for your office design.

3) Organize your existing art in odd numbered groupings

You don’t even need to purchase new art, just by moving around what is already on your walls can create an entirely new feel. Group your art in odd numbered groupings; groups of one, three or five, and it will be more pleasing to the eye.

4) Add an area rug

Another idea that will fit with any budget, add an area rug to your office design. You can find rugs in all sizes, shapes and colors, and it may surprise you how much a well-placed rug can impact your overall office interior.

5) Scrap your current organizational items

Any office store will have a wide variety of organizational items from baskets, file holders, penholders etc. to choose from. Choose a style that fits for you, and then upgrade. It is not expensive to purchase new organizational items, but the difference it can make is often tremendous. An added bonus to this office design idea is that it will also force you to get more organized as you transition to the new items. Often times, this gives your productivity a boost.

6) Add some greenery

Simply adding a plant or two to your office will give your space a more inviting feeling. Be sure to choose a plant that will thrive in the light your particular office gets. If you have no natural light, an artificial plant can accomplish the same goal.

7) Purchase a new piece of art

Oil paintings are great for the office, you can find a painting of almost any subject you desire, and a nice piece of art can really add some character to a room. If you work in a modern high-rise type of office with a lot of glass, look into a piece of contemporary art. The clean lines of the contemporary style really fit well in the modern office buildings.

8) Change the frames on your existing art

Simply changing the frames on your existing art can also do wonders and add some flair to your office decor.

9) Arrange your furniture in a circular manner

If you have a waiting room or area where clients sit, try arranging the furniture in that room in a circular manner. This will give a warm feeling to the room and encourage positive energy for your waiting clients.

10) Add a drink dispenser

This can be both functional and decorative. Soda, coffee, tea, water, people like to sip on something, and having a drink dispenser handy will benefit you with positive energy from your visitors and clients. In addition, there are many unique and decorative dispensers on the market that can make a decorative statement for your particular office. Just because an item is functional does not mean it cannot also be decorative!

Tips on Decorating Your Office Space

www.allbusiness.com/

Decorating an office space can be a delicate balancing act. On the one hand you want your office space to be inviting and pleasant for both employees and visitors, while on the other hand it must remain professional in look and feel.

Here are some helpful tips on how to make your office space a pleasant and productive physical environment:

· Color Your World. When painting office walls, try to pick a color that reflects the spirit of your business. If you work in a traditionally conservative industry such as banking or legal services, you're better off choosing a neutral color such as light green, beige, or a shade of white. If your business is traditionally staffed by more creative types such as designers or artists, feel free to go for walls with more visual pizzazz. Whichever tone you choose, be sure to use high-quality paint that will last for a long time, as repainting an office space can be a disruptive event.

· Deck the Walls. Bare walls can give an office a dull, unlived-in feel, and that energy can affect the mood of your staff. Warm up your workspace by adding some tasteful framed photos, prints, or paintings to your walls. One creative idea is to invite local artists to display their artwork on your walls. It's a win-win situation — they get exposure for their work while you get free office decor.

· Make Your Office a Green Zone. Adding a few plants and indoor trees to your office setup will make your employees feel less cut off from the outside world, especially in offices located in very urban areas. When shopping for plants, read their identifying tags to determine what kind of light each needs, and make sure they will thrive on the amount of light available in your workspace. There are also many corporate plant services that will "rent" office plants and take over their care and watering onsite. Check out What Does a Plant Service Do? for a good overview to these types of businesses.

· Furnish with Care. Office furniture plays a large role in how an office space looks and feels. As furnishing a large space can be very expensive, most businesses tend to rent or lease their office furniture. Unfortunately, the majority of office furnishings available tend to be very bland and conservative looking. One important rule of thumb is to try to maintain the same style of furniture throughout the office. Mismatched tables and chairs tend to make any space look rather cheap and thrown together. As with wall color, try to go for a style in furnishings that reflects the energy of your industry. Check out Seven Tips for Saving Money on Office Furniture for good advice on how to make your space look great without breaking the bank.

· Control the Clutter. It's been said that with a clear desk comes a clear mind. Keep that in mind when arranging your desktop. A framed photograph of a loved one, a telephone, and a computer should suffice. If there are office supplies you don't use on a constant basis, tuck them away in a drawer. A chaotic physical environment will soon give way to a chaotic energy in the workplace, and this is rarely good for productivity or progress.

Feng Shui: An Ancient Practice for the Modern Age

Feng shui, Chinese for "wind and water," is the traditional Chinese practice of harmoniously organizing and arranging space. Its concepts have slowly filtered into the business world over the past few years, with some of the core guidelines being:

· Never sit with your back to the door. When visitors arrive, you don't want the back of your head to be the first thing that they encounter. Instead, arrange your desk so that it faces the door; doing so sends a message of power and strength.

· Light your space well. If there are fluorescent lights in your office, turn them off and bring in lamps, then find a nice balance between the light the lamps provide and the natural sunlight.

· Create a sense of openness. Avoid a cluttered physical space by placing with only the necessary furnishings (your desk and some chairs) in the center of the room. Place all other furniture, such as bookshelves, filing cabinets, and sofas, against the walls.

Feng Shui Office Promotes Success

You need to create an office space that spells serenity and wealth. Many business houses have taken to incorporating Feng shui decorating rules on account of their simplicity and practical approach.

• The first rule of office feng shui is to get rid of clutter. Organize the paperwork and files to weed out those that are unwanted. Reducing clutter will create space for new opportunities and promote smooth flow of positive chi.
• Maintain well organized filing systems and storage cabinets. Records are a tangible indication of your business transactions. Treat them well.
• Try and occupy the corner farthest from the room entrance to wield a commanding position. Do not face away from the door.
• Place the computer in the Southeast if you use it to generate income.
• If possible, seat yourself with your back to a wall or corner.
• Leafy green plants such as jade, bamboo or money plant are considered auspicious for offices.
• Do not ignore maintenance issues and repair broken items or replace them soon.
• Too many wires and cables are representative of chaos. Secure them neatly behind furniture and allow the free flow of chi.

Art Décor

Hanging Art in the office will help with the productivity of the office. Many people question the purpose of art. They acknowledge an aesthetic approach but ignore any possible positive benefits of a more practical nature. Contrary to popular belief, art is not purely aesthetic. It is not a product with no possible effects outside of the obvious - an "artistic" product. Art is not of less use than science in preparing individuals for the "real" world. In fact, the contrary is true. Art is very important in helping the brain reach its full potential.

How does art accomplish this? It introduces the brain to diverse cognitive skills that help us unravel intricate problems. Art activates the creative part of our brain - the part that works without words and can only express itself non-verbally. Art, in thought and through the creative processes, activates the imaginative and creative side, the spatial and intuitive side of our brain. Art jumps over the process of linear and logical thinking. It trains the brain to shift into thinking differently, of broaching old problems in new ways.

This is a great site to find artwork for your office or home: http://www.framedartdecor.com/