Have you ever walked into an office with old and stained furniture and bare walls and immediately started counting down the minutes until your departure? On the other hand, have you ever visited an office that felt warm and inviting the minute you walked in?
As an office furniture salesman for more than 40 years, I pride myself on offering clients the most functional and appealing desks, chairs and reception desks to meet their budgets and office style. But as times are changing, we are getting more and more requests at Alliance Corporate Services to help pair office spaces with art. To be honest with you, it’s been a whole lot of fun to help our clients find artwork to complement their office space and create a great first impression.
WHY ART?
Buying a desk and chair are a given when opening a new office or re-modeling an existing one. But no one ever thinks that what goes up on the office wall could have an effect on office mood, employee morale, and even customer purchases. That’s because art is a form of communication that can be impactful and insightful. It can even change people’s outlook and demeanor.
But choosing the right art can be a challenge depending on what type of business you own or manage and the amount of wall space in your office. Our company collaborates with our clients to bring the two together. Here are some things to consider when buying art for your office:
- OFFICE APPEAL – Whenever I renovate or create a new office, I work with the company to find pieces that will not only fit their budget and are the style they are looking for, but also are appealing to everyone who comes in contact with it. For instance, attorney offices are often more traditional then advertising agencies, so I look for more subdued pieces of art. Think about what type of business you own and who is your audience? We would work together to find artwork that is appealing to you, your staff and your clients. For example, a medical office may look for artwork that conveys peace or healing, while a pediatrician may look for more childlike or child-friendly pieces. Knowing your customers and employees helps when choosing art that has office appeal.
- CONVEY A MESSAGE – Art is truly subjective. It can be beautiful and inspiring. It has the ability to transform. Make sure you consider your corporate culture when choosing artwork. Do you want it to include phrases or inspirational words that will uplift your employees? Do you want it to evoke a feeling within your clientele? No matter what business you’re in, artwork can send a message and show your customers that you’re professional and successful and the best person to help them.
- ART TO AVOID – This may be a given, but there are some works of art that just don’t belong in the workplace. If your office is very traditional, you’ll want to avoid nudes, offensive artwork or paintings that make your clients feel uncomfortable. Remember artwork is a form of expression, but avoid art that creates controversy. Leave that to the museums and gallery exhibits, where patrons can choose to view it or not for themselves.
- LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION – They say location is everything and the same is true when it comes to art. Make sure you place your artwork in locations that both your clients and staff can see. You may want to ask for office input from your top managers when it comes to artwork that will be placed in a prominent location.
- ORIGINAL VS. FINE ART PRINTS – Budget is key here. Once you’ve taken your corporate culture into account, the message you want to convey and the location of the art, consider whether you want to invest in an original or just a fine art print. Most of my clients don’t want to put a real work of art on their walls, but that is an option. Fine art prints or three-dimensional art reproductions work just as well in the office to create a focal point and evoke emotion.
One of the most popular art events in the world is just a couple of months away. Art Basel Miami Beach brings hundreds of thousands to South Florida to view and buy everything from sculptures, to paintings, to abstract mixed media art. I can’t wait to see what the art world has to offer. But in the meantime, think of me for your office furniture and art needs.