Damon Williams

There are many points to consider when choosing artwork for your office: the branding, the use of colour, and practicalities like whether to invest in expensive art work or to rotate art annually using a renting service. 

The office space has changed hugely in recent times; what was once sterile cubicles has now been replaced by comfortable designs that make employees feel relaxed and at home.. After all, much creativity and productivity owes to a pleasant working environment – as many companies are discovering!

One of the best ways to transform your office space is by picking a few choice pieces of artwork. Not only will it brighten up the space, adding visual interest and communicating the vision of your brand, but it can actually increase creativity and employee satisfaction. Studies have illustrated that artwork is preferred by employees to other office additions like sleep pods or ping pong tables and it can help with problem-solving, brainstorming and creative discussions. 

Evidently, art is key for both the company and its workers – but how do you choose the right artwork? Read on for the ultimate guide to picking artwork for your office, to motivate, inspire and impress your workers and clients.

The Brand

First impressions are everything in business. It can be easy to overlook the importance of good office decor in showing a client you have good taste! Think about what you want your clients to notice when they enter your workspace: your brand, unique company character, and ideas you believe in. 

You should always place your best artwork on the first wall that a person sees entering your office (this is called the ‘visual wall’). Think very seriously about what kind of impression this artwork will give a person when they enter a meeting room, office or lobby. Make sure it’s welcoming and fits the company style.

You should try to use colours or commission artwork that includes your brand and it’s values – every company has a story, after all. Use customised art to show your brand’s background and development. For example, you might have artwork of the city (or cities) that your company started in, global locations your company is located, or work from local artists in each office. Maps and cityscapes are good choices. 

Using art to communicate your company’s mission is also worth considering – this will vary massively depending on what your company does. 

Essentially, art can start small talk with clients – one question about a piece of art can lead to an informative discussion about core company values and your history. These pieces of art can also serve as an introduction to a meeting – so make sure there’s a good story behind each one!

Productivity and Creativity

Think about the colours used in your office space: there is nothing more boring than gray furniture, nothing more depressing than black decor, and nothing more sterile than plain white walls! Use bright colours to create a light and open office space – your employees will surely thank you.

Bold block colours create a positive atmosphere. Choosing opposite colours of the colour wheel will make your office fun and fresh, for example having walls one colour and artwork the other. Abstract art can also inspire your employees – have it placed in meeting or brainstorming rooms for best effects. Meanwhile, common spaces and cafeteria’s should be decorated well with abstract, colourful art – allowing them to recharge in a positive, fun environment. 

However, do keep in mind what your ‘brand’ is; as a hospital, you probably don’t want to use gaudy, bright colours like red. Instead, you’ll want to use pastels in blue, green and purple to create a calmer atmosphere. Artwise, a landscape painting is probably more suitable than an abstract piece. 

As well as framed pieces, mixed media artwork can be a great addition to an office space. Think about including vases, ceramics and sculptures that appeal to you and your employees. Mixed media artwork can be really interesting and allows for greater creativity! The more comfortable employees feel in their workspace, the more productive and happy they will be. You should also consider including your employees in the choosing of art decor. Art is subjective, after all, and you’ll find them thanking you for asking their opinion!

Practicalities

Not every company can afford to spend 15K in one go on a piece of art – if you’re going to do so, be sure to place it in the reception or somewhere it will be noticed constantly! Otherwise, you may consider renting. This way you can have expensive art at a much more affordable price. 

Renting artwork also allows you to rotate annually or quarterly, depending on your preferences. There are now companies that allow you to rotate your artwork every 6-12 months – this stops your employees from getting bored, and of course impresses your clients, who will see new art whenever they visit! You can even list renting in your business’ tax return… A win-win!

It’s worth nothing that not all expensive art is good art, too. Don’t limit yourself to well-known artists with high price-tags: there is a wealth of local, affordable art out there, waiting to be used! 

Finally, you can purchase well-known art at a fraction of the price by choosing a replica piece. This is good news for companies who want to decorate their offices with well-known artwork but don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars renting it, or thousands purchasing it! 

Whatever your company does, artwork will add to the office atmosphere. Good artwork will complement the interior design, impress your clients with your good taste, and speak of your brand’s values and ideas. Your employees will also benefit from artwork that sparks creativity and imbues the office with a positive vibe. There are many options out there, so don’t limit yourself to buying expensive art pieces – you can rent, rotate, and even look for less well known artists to decorate your office space.