Above: Original oil painting by British artist Joanne Short hung in an office setting
When it comes to office artwork, there are a lot of things to consider. What kind of mood do you want to create? What is the style of your office? What will be the focal point of the room? In this guide, we will help you find the perfect office artwork for your space.
The strong case for art in the office and workplace
Above: British artist Ted Dyer open-edition art print in an office setting
When people think about artwork for their office, business or home office, they immediately write it off as a frivolous expense. But what if we told you that there was actually a very compelling case to be made for incorporating art into your office space? Studies have shown time and again that art can have a profound impact on everything from employee productivity to creativity to stress levels. Ready to learn more? Keep reading.a
The impact of art on productivity & happiness in the workplace
You might not realize it, but the environment you work in can have a big impact on how productive you are. And according to studies at the University of Exeter, one of the best ways to boost productivity in the workplace is to incorporate art into the office. In fact, the study found that employees who had access to natural light and works of art were significantly more productive than those who didn't.
“There is a real tendency to opt for sanitised, lean workspaces, designed to encourage staff to just get on with their work and avoid distraction, but If you enrich a space people feel much happier and work better; a very good way of doing this is by using art.”
Dr Knight
The psychology of working environments. University of Exeter
So, what is it about art that makes us more productive? For one thing, it can help reduce stress levels. Looking at nature scenes or other calming images has been shown to lower blood pressure and heartbeat rates, which in turn reduces stress. And when we're less stressed, we're able to focus better and get more done. Additionally, art can also help stimulate creativity and problem-solving skills. By exposing us to new ideas and unfamiliar perspectives, art forces us to think outside the box and come up with original solutions; skills that are increasingly valuable in today's workforce.
Good things to consider when selecting artwork for your office workplace
Above: London wall art print in an office setting
Consider Your Space
The first step is to take a look at the space you have to work with. What size wall do you have? How much light does the room get? What is the overall style of the space? Answering these questions will help you narrow down your options and find artwork that will work well in your space.
Consider Your Budget
Next, you'll need to consider your budget. Artwork can range in price from a few pounds or dollars to tens of thousands, so it's important to work out how much you're willing to spend and invest before you start shopping. Once you have a budget in mind, you can start looking for artwork that fits both your style and your budget. Ask your community of workers and colleagues; what speaks to them? If you hang artwork that annoys them on a daily basis that would be counterproductive so it is often better to buy figurative art that speaks to people rather than abstract art. A print or a painting that reflects the world we all know can create a great sense of calm and provides a window into another world, time, place, and memory or future aspiration. Cornish art is perfect for this as the seaside aesthetic feel of Cornish art is inspiring and beautiful to all.
Consider your style & brand
Now it's time to think about your personal style. What kind of art do you like? Do you prefer abstract or realistic paintings? Bright colours or muted tones? Figuring out what you like will help you narrow down your options and find artwork that you'll love looking at every day.
Choosing artwork for your office can be a fun and easy way to add some personality to the space. By considering your space, budget, and personal style, you can find artwork that will perfectly complement your office and make it feel more like yours and will inspire better well-being, work and employee retention.
Consider the style of your office. If you have a traditional space, look for classic pieces that will complement your existing furniture and decor like the classic art of Ted Dyer. If your office is more modern, try abstract, naïve or colourist pieces or sculptures or contemporary art by artists such as Joanne Short and John Dyer.
Think about the colours you want to use. You could stick to a limited palette to create a cohesive look with your decor and then select a feature colourful artwork as a focus and statement piece. Painting one wall a key colour can be very effective. The wall colour can be muted or bright depending on the artwork.
Don't forget about the size of the artwork. Make sure to measure your space before you shop so you know exactly what will fit.
Now that you know what to look for, it's time to start selecting! Here are a few places to find great artwork for your office:
Online art galleries for original art and paintings
Above: John Dyer original painting of the Amazon rainforest in business lobby reception setting
If you're looking for a wide selection of artists and styles, start your search online. Websites like Saatchi Art offer thousands of options to choose from but it can be confusing and working with a smaller online art gallery like The John Dyer Gallery and other independent galleries will allow you to start a conversation and seek advice and art consultancy for your project.
Art fairs and artist events
Another great option is to attend art fairs or artists' private views and meet the artists in person. This is a great way to get unique, one-of-a-kind pieces for your office. Plus, you'll be supporting local businesses and artists in your area.
Affordable art: Prints and wall art
Above: Cornish wall art prints are perfect for office walls and a feature colour sets them off perfectly
Adding art to your office doesn't have to be expensive. You can find affordable art online from a variety of sources, including etsy.com, amazon.com and many home retailers, but you will get a much more personal and arguably better experience and quality of art and product by sourcing your art from artists or art galleries.
When choosing prints or wall art for your office, consider the overall tone you want to create. For a more corporate look, go with clean lines and simple colours. If you want a more creative or relaxed atmosphere, choose artwork with more content, narrative and brighter colours.
Size is also an important consideration. If you have a lot of empty wall space, you can go with larger pieces. If your office is on the smaller side, stick to smaller prints or even hand smaller groups of prints as a 'salon hang'.
Hanging artwork is a simple way to add a personal touch to your office space. But don't feel like you have to stick to traditional framed artwork. You can get creative with how you display your art, whether it's hanging it from the ceiling, leaning it against the wall, or even mounting it on the back of a door.
Discover the perfect happy inspiring art for your office
Our online art gallery offers a unique and large range of art that is perfect for office spaces:
Original art paintings
Above: John Dyer painting in an office meeting room setting
Original paintings are ideal to hang in an office workplace setting, reception area or boardroom because they add a touch of sophistication and class. Not only do they convey a sense of sophistication, but they also show that you are a person who is serious about your work and business. When clients or customers see original paintings in your office, they will be impressed by your professionalism and your commitment to quality. Original paintings also lend an air of credibility to your business. They say that you are a business that takes its image seriously and that you are willing to invest in the best.
Wall art poster prints
Above: Wall art prints of Paris in an office setting
Wall art poster prints are an ideal and very affordable way to bring art into any office workplace setting. They add interest and sophistication to the room and make it look more professional. They also help to create a positive working environment by promoting positive thinking and creativity. Poster prints also help to brighten up dull or boring office spaces and can be used to inspire employees. They are an affordable way to decorate an office and can be easily changed or updated as required. This makes them a versatile and practical option for any business. So why not consider adding some wall art poster prints to your office today? You and your employees will be sure to appreciate the difference they make and there are many subjects that will resonate with your company's values. Explore wall art prints featuring environmental art from the Amazon or Borneo, Cornish art, French art, or city art featuring Paris or London.
Open-edition art prints
Above: Open Edition framed wall art print by British artist Ted Dyer
If you are looking for wall art of the next level and museum quality then consider open-edition art prints as they are a fabulous way to bring very high-quality art prints into your space and have many size options. Many of the open-edition art prints available at the John Dyer Gallery have farmed options too so that art will arrive ready to hang directly on your wall for an instant office makeover.
Limited edition art prints
Although more limited in size options signed limited edition museum-quality prints can be perfect. get the prints framed locally to you with frame colours and designs that speak to you and your brand. Choose crisp aluminium frames for a strikingly modern feel or a wide limewashed would for a more relaxed look. The possibilities and endless and having the artist's signature on the print adds a real level of sophistication and interest.
Past projects
At the John Dyer Gallery, we have provided art for many offices, hospitality and healthcare settings and have helped many clients from the NHS in the UK to many private developers, care homes, luxury yachts, exclusive hotels, holiday lets and of course many office spaces to create the exact look and feel the client wished and on an appropriate budget.
The benefits of artwork for offices
Above: Amazon rainforest wall art print by British artist John Dyer on an office wall
If you're looking for ways to increase productivity, retain your team members and create a great ambience in your office, you might want to consider hanging some artwork on the walls. Studies have shown that art can have a profound impact on everything from stress levels to creativity, making employees more productive overall. So if you're looking for a simple way to give your office a boost, consider investing in some quality artwork today and start the process of making your office space a place your employees and clients want to spend time in and are inspired by, a place as enjoyable as being at home, a place of wellbeing and colour.
A momentary escape from work can actually be beneficial. After all, art has always been about providing an escape, and sometimes we all need one.
You can read more about art for offices on our business page and do explore all the art we have available on The John Dyer Gallery.
