How to Design a Unique Interior Office

Cookie-cutter offices

It can be hard to keep your individuality in an office setting with row after row of look-alike cubicles or cookie-cutter offices furnished with the same modular furniture. It can be especially depressing if your office space is also an interior office that does not have an outdoors facing window. Windows help improve even the most sterile of office spaces. If you're stuck in an otherwise corporate cog of a room, you can personalize your interior office and make it a place where you and your visitors feel special.

Things You'll Need

• Throw pillows
• Rug
• Table lamp
• Chairs
• Narrow ladder
• Objets d'art
• Poster or small pictures

Instructions

1. Check with your office manager or Human Resources to determine if there is any company policy that would prevent you from decorating your office and, if not, what is or isn't allowed. There might be a policy against personalizing your office walls with paint but stapling carpet squares to the wall might be totally acceptable. Also, if you share the office space, be sure your office mate is okay with the face-lift before you spend time, money and effort.

2. Take note of any features in the space that you could highlight to bring architectural details out. Does the office have a transom window over the door? Corporate offices are usually fairly featureless, essentially a square box with a desk, chair and overhead fluorescent lighting. However, your charge is to change that sterile look.

3. Determine the décor you're attempting to achieve in the space. Is the building an old one? Perhaps a vintage look might play well in the space. Consider putting old throw pillows at the back of guest chairs, adding an old but sturdy rug over the bare floor or on top of carpet. Replace the customary desk lamp with a small, charming table lamp. Consider putting more than one light source in if space permits to brighten up a corner and create ambiance.

4. Bring in modern appointments if the building itself is contemporary. Look for inexpensive contemporary design pieces like chairs in bold colors with fluid lines in mass merchandiser stores. Perch a tall, narrow ladder in white or black laminate finish and house your small stereo player and CD collection along with a few interesting objets d'art. Be sure to display a few work-related manuals to appease your boss.

5. Display one very large poster in a contemporary space or several related smaller paintings in a traditional space to bring in the maximum amount of personality and individuality. Consider using a picture light over the artwork to bring in additional illumination and focus attention on the special nature of the work and your office space.

References

• Decorate Your Office Work Station
• Office Space Decorating