The Managers’ Guide to Choosing the Best Office Decor

Maximize productivity & creativity

Think about your ideal workplace. You’re probably not envisioning rows of utilitarian desks pushed against blank walls in a poorly lit room. Where we work has a significant impact on how we work, which makes smart office decor a major priority for business owners.

At Walmart Business, we know it’s not easy to create an office environment that’s both aesthetically pleasing and conducive to productivity. To that end, we’ve assembled this comprehensive guide to walk you through the process. Here’s how to create a workspace that inspires employees and impresses clients—without spending a fortune.

Making the most of your space

Before purchasing a single piece of furniture, take a step back and assess the space you’re working with. You have to figure out which layout makes the most sense, whether that’s traditional cubicles, an open floorplan or an activity-based setup with huddle rooms, focus pods and lounges.

The answers to these questions will depend on the work you’re doing, how collaborative it is and the number of employees in the building. The idea behind decor for office spaces is to balance workplace efficiency with aesthetic appeal. Cubicles give workers their own dedicated workspaces, but they tend to discourage socialization. Open offices have become a popular alternative, but the noise levels can be distracting. Activity-based layouts can meet a variety of needs, but some workers may miss having a dedicated desk.

If you’re lacking in square footage, you also need to consider how to best fit all of these workspaces into the office. In that case, compact and modular office furniture is your best bet. Modular furniture is designed to fit together in a number of configurations, allowing you to customize your setup based on the company’s needs. This makes it easier to add on more desks and rearrange when it’s time to hire more employees. Modular furniture is often easier on your budget, too.

No matter what size your office is, choosing the right color scheme can make it significantly more welcoming. For smaller spaces, lighter colors can make rooms look and feel bigger. Consider using the colors in your company logo as inspiration to create a unified look that impresses clients and creates a cohesive aesthetic.

And don’t forget to add shades of green…with plants, of course! In addition to benefits like purifying the air, greenery can boost productivity by as much as 15%. Look for low-maintenance plants like cacti and spider plants to decorate shelves and desks, while placing bigger options like fiddle leaf fig trees in the corners. This is one of the easiest ways to elevate your office space and make it feel more vibrant.

And don’t forget proper lighting! Natural light is best for employee well-being and productivity, but failing that, look for options that best replicate sunlight. Background and accent lights keep the office bright once the sun goes down. Meanwhile, task-oriented lights (think desk lamps) give employees more direct control over their lighting situation.

For more of the best office decor strategies, read Create a Professional Atmosphere with These 5 Office Decor Ideas and Maximizing Style in Minimal Spaces: 7 Small Work Office Decor Ideas.

4 next-level workplace office decor ideas

1. Decorate your desk

While you’re looking at the bigger picture, don’t neglect your personal space. If you’re going to be spending dozens of hours at your desk every week, it should be inspiring, comfortable and orderly. Start with desk organizers that combine aesthetics with practicality, such as letter trays that match the office color scheme.

Stackable organizers let you do more with your surface space and come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors. Mesh and clear options make it easier to see their contents at a glance, but since these are solely for your use, choose the organizers you personally like best.

If your job requires hours of sitting every day, you’ll also want to invest in more ergonomic support. Even if you already have a comfy chair, an additional cushion can help support your back by redirecting pressure on your pelvis. Footrests are another great ergonomic option, as they help relieve built-up pressure in your legs.

Finally, don’t forget the personal touches that truly make a desk your own. Personalizing your desk can increase productivity and efficiency by 30%, so go ahead and place those framed photos, collectibles and meaningful touches that bring you joy. 

To learn more, read 5 Desk Office Decor Accessories to Inspire Your Workspace Design.

2. Banish blank walls

You might have an eye for stylish-but-functional furniture, but if your walls are blank, you’re missing yet another opportunity to spark creativity and increase productivity. You’re not boring, so why should your walls be? These wall decor ideas can liven up your office while still maintaining a professional atmosphere:

• Murals: What better way to make a powerful statement than with a mural? These expansive pieces of artwork can communicate the company’s core values, infuse your space with much-needed color and demonstrate your commitment to creativity. Consider working with a local artist to design a mural that best suits your vision.

• Milestones: In competitive industries, you have to be your own biggest cheerleader. Hang your awards with pride, ideally in a place where everyone can see them. Putting plaques and industry accolades on lobby walls shows new employees and potential clients exactly what kind of company they’re stepping into.

• Mirrors: If your office is lacking in natural light, mirrors can help. By reflecting light, mirrors make offices feel more bright and vibrant. Use different sizes to create accents of light throughout your workspace.

For more information, check out Elevate Your Workplace with These 5 Professional Office Wall Decor Ideas.

3. Keep up with the kitchen

When furnishing and decorating the office, don’t forget about the important role the break room plays in employee productivity. These spaces give team members space to clear their heads, bond with teammates and enjoy a communal experience outside of their day-to-day tasks. 

Start by stocking the right appliances. A refrigerator is a given, but if you can, splurge on a model with a built-in water and ice dispenser. Microwaves are also essential in the workplace; leftovers make great lunches, but your employees need a way to heat them up. Unless you have an office manager to stay on top of the cleaning, you may want to get a dishwasher as well. After all, those coffee mugs aren’t going to wash themselves.

Speaking of coffee, a reliable coffee maker is a must. It doesn’t have to be fancy; a countertop drip brewer or pod-based machine can keep your team caffeinated all day long. You can even boost morale by supplying grounds, pods and alternatives like tea and hot chocolate.

Get more kitchen decor ideas in the full article: 5 Office Kitchen Ideas to Improve Your Breakroom.

4. Don’t forget your home office

With so many businesses utilizing remote or hybrid models, it’s safe to assume that you’ll be working from home at least some of the time. To ensure that you’re just as productive in a spare bedroom as you are in the office, you’ll need to apply the same guidelines you used to enhance the decor. Start by clearing the room of distractions and clutter, then taking stock of the space and assessing your immediate needs, like a desk and chair. If you don’t have a lot of room to work with, look for furniture that does double duty such as desks with extra storage space and combination bookshelf/cabinets.

Comfort is just as important at home as it is in the office, so prioritize ergonomic desk chairs that support your back. Chairs with adjustable height and movable arms can help you find the best fit for your body, and don’t forget about lumbar support!

Finally, don’t be afraid to make the room your own. You have more freedom to decorate at home than you do in a shared space, so choose pieces that reflect your personality. That might mean bold colors, posters of your favorite movies and bands, mementos from your travels, a collage of family photos—the options are virtually endless. “Productive” doesn’t mean “utilitarian,” so make an effort to create a welcoming space that’s totally you.

Discover more ways to create a productive home workspace in 7 Home Office Decor Ideas for Small Business Owners.

Level up your office decor with Walmart Business

When it comes time to put the advice in this article into practice, Walmart Business can help. Our curated selection of office furniture and decor makes it easier to create a productive workspace while staying on budget.

Already have a Walmart Business account? Consider upgrading to Walmart Business+ to save over $500 a year and enjoy exclusive rewards for your organization.¹ You can also take advantage of free shipping with no order minimum² and 2% back in Walmart Business Rewards on orders over $250³. Click here to get started.

¹ Savings based on 1 free $35+ delivery order vs. $9.95 fee and 1 free shipping order under $35 vs. $6.99 fee biweekly, plus 2% Walmart Business rewards on monthly order >$250 (average value of $400).

² Excludes most Marketplace items, freight and certain location surcharges.

³ Rewards can only be used toward future purchases on Walmart Business. Additional terms apply.