How to Choose Office Wall Art: The 2024 Guide

So, you’ve just been nominated by your bosses as the interior design expert to upgrade and brighten up the walls of the office space. Your co-workers rave about the decor of your home, which is always stylish and changes tastefully to match the seasons. However, up to now you haven’t done much research on commercial space decoration or how to choose office wall art. In your first 15 minutes searching on Google, you come across a study from ‘The Guardian’ that says that well-chosen wall art can increase workplace productivity by up to 15%. Duly motivated to be the rising tide that lifts your colleagues’ boats, you’re now going deeper down the office decor rabbit hole.

In today’s hyper-competitive business landscape, executive leaders and office managers are seeking every edge to keep their workforce happy, productive and firing on all cylinders. Your office decor serves as a daily greeting and first impression driving your employees forward to carry out your company mission. So ample consideration should be given to its planning, and we’ll show you how to make your efforts pay recurring and lasting dividends. This guide is your key to transforming an ordinary ho-hum office into a vibrant hub of creativity and efficiency.

Let’s explore art options that enhance aesthetics, embody your enterprise values and boost team morale. Whether you want to inspire innovation with abstract pieces or convey stability with landscapes, the right wall art can leave a lasting impression. These insightful tips will help you select art that aligns with your brand and office culture, making every square foot count in 2024.

Define your office aesthetic

Define your office aesthetic with carefully chosen wall art that enhances your workspace and reinforces your brand’s identity. Ensure each piece reflects your company’s culture and values, creating an inviting environment for employees and visitors. To effectively communicate your brand, consider the concepts of visual representation, target audience and art placement, as explored below.

Understanding your brand through visuals

When choosing office wall art, it’s essential to reflect your company’s core tenets and brand identity. Ask yourself: Is your brand more modern and sleek, or more traditional and timeless? Maybe its voice is creative and edgy, or perhaps it seeks to project a polished, highly professional tone. Art that mirrors these characteristics reinforces your brand message and establishes a cohesive aesthetic across your workspace. For example, a tech startup might choose bold, innovative pieces that signify forward thinking and an appetite for risk, whereas a law firm might prefer classic, sophisticated art to convey reliability and trustworthiness.

Knowing your target audience

Consider who frequents your office space: is it primarily employees, clients or both? The kind of impression you want to make should guide your art choices. Art that inspires and motivates can elevate not just individual employee productivity, but the mood and synergistic cooperation among all occupants of the space. Opt for art that exudes professionalism and credibility for client-facing areas, making an immediate positive impression. For example, if you run a dental practice, showcasing before-and-after photos of patients’ smiles effectively emphasizes the transformative power of your services.

Analyzing the workspace

Before you choose your wall art, evaluate your office’s physical layout, existing decor and the intended functional use of each space. Determine the most appropriate locations for art displays—a bustling conference room, a welcoming reception area, a convivial break room or a quiet personal office. Factor in the size and lighting of these spaces to select suitable art types. For instance, large, well-lit areas can accommodate bold, colorful prints that command attention; smaller, more intimate spaces might benefit from more subtle, intricately detailed pieces.

The primary goal is to ensure the chosen art complements the existing decor and fulfills a functional purpose, whether it’s to spark creativity, encourage tranquility or make a bold statement.

Criteria for choosing office wall art

The style of art you choose influences the overall atmosphere of your office. Here are some popular styles to consider:

• Modern/contemporary: Minimalist, abstract and geometric wall art works well in tech startups, creative agencies and modern offices. Its clean lines and bold shapes lend a sleek and sophisticated look.
  
• Traditional: Ideal for law firms, financial institutions and other white-collar professional environments, classic paintings, landscapes and portraits evoke a sense of stability, reliability and timeless elegance.
  
• Eclectic: Perfect for coworking spaces and innovative companies, a mix of styles can showcase diversity and personality. This approach allows for a dynamic yet personalized aesthetic that reflects individuality and creativity.
  
• Photography: Vibrant nature scenes, cityscapes or even employee-submitted photos impart a personal touch to any office. They connect the indoor environment to the outer world, fostering a sense of community. This style is versatile, fitting well in both corporate and relaxed settings.

Size

Properly scaled artwork is essential for harmonizing with your office’s spatial dynamics. Here’s how to choose the right size:

• Statement pieces: Large-scale works serve as focal points in reception areas or conference rooms. They make a bold impact and define the space’s character.
  
• Gallery walls: Collections of smaller pieces are ideal for creating visual interest in hallways, lounges and collaborative spaces. They allow for the display of various artworks, adding connective depth and dimension.

Color

Utilizing colors in your artwork can set the mood and tone of your office while achieving aesthetic balance:

• Brand Colors: Integrating your company’s colors can create cohesion and strengthen your brand identity. This is especially effective in customer-facing areas.
  
• Complementary colors: Art that harmonizes with your existing decor can enhance the current palette, creating a visually pleasing and calming environment.
  
• Accent colors: Bold pops of color can energize a neutral space, serving as focal points or conversation starters and injecting personality into the office.

Budget

Balancing aesthetic aspirations with financial realities is a must when selecting office wall art:

• Prints: High-quality prints offer a cost-effective way to display beautiful artwork. They are ideal for larger spaces or gallery walls without incurring the higher expense of original pieces.
  
• Originals: Investing in original artwork can add a unique and distinguished element to your office, along with the added benefit of increasing in value from your original investment and becoming a cherished asset.
  
• Custom commissions: Consider custom commissions for a tailored one-of-a-kind piece that reflects your brand’s values and aesthetic. Though more pricey, they ensure your artwork is bespoke, exacting and perfectly suited to your vision.

Enhancing employee engagement through art

Motivational and inspirational art

Art can be a powerful motivator. Motivational and inspirational wall art can enhance morale by creating a positive and effervescent atmosphere. Artworks featuring uplifting quotes, positive affirmations and calming imagery can reinforce the company culture you have spent years cultivating. By investing in this kind of art for common areas, meeting rooms, and individual workspaces, you demonstrate a commitment to pursuing creativity in the workplace.

Involving employees in art selection

Empower your employees by involving them in the art selection process. Methods like conducting art surveys and polls, placing suggestion boxes in common areas, and forming a committee dedicated to interior design and art choices can give employees a say in the design of their workspace. This participation builds a sense of ownership, empowerment and belonging.

Where to find office wall art?

When choosing office wall art, consider both local galleries and online platforms to achieve a diverse selection. There are advantages to both local and online sources for discovering art.

Exploring local and online art sources

Curating the perfect piece of art for your office can be an adventure. Consider tapping into local resources by visiting art galleries or craft fairs, where you can find unique works from emerging local artists. Alternatively, online platforms like Etsy or Saatchi Art offer a vast array of artwork accessible worldwide, often at more affordable prices. These sites allow you to explore various styles and mediums, from photography to abstract art, ensuring you find something that resonates with your office aesthetics.

Fracture as a premier option

Consider Fracture glass prints for a distinctive and sustainable approach to office wall art. Our innovative method of printing images directly onto glass results in a sleek, modern finish that complements any office environment. Available in various sizes and customizable finishes, Fracture prints allow you to create a display uniquely tailored to your company’s style and values.

We’re deeply committed to sustainability and utilize eco-friendly materials and green, efficient processes, ensuring that our prints are beautiful, environmentally responsible and durable—a smart investment for any eco-conscious business.

Installing your office wall art

Proper installation is vital for ensuring your office art’s longevity and visual impact. Follow these tips to achieve the best results:

• Plan the layout: Arrange your artwork on the floor to visualize the final setup. Use painter’s tape to mark the positions on the wall, ensuring accurate placement.
  
• Use the right tool: Gather essential tools such as a level, measuring tape, hammer and the appropriate hanging hardware. Use wall anchors or professional hanging systems to ensure stability for heavier artwork.
  
• Height and spacing: Hang artwork at eye level, typically 57-60 inches from the floor to the center of the piece. Maintain 2-3 inches between each piece to avoid a cluttered appearance.
  
• Secure mounting: Use secure mounting techniques in high-traffic areas to prevent accidents. Always double-check the stability of each piece after installation.
  
• Lighting: Optimize the lighting to enhance the artwork’s visibility, particularly in dimly lit spaces. Consider using picture lights or track lighting to spotlight key pieces, highlighting their details and colors.

Maintaining and caring for art

To ensure your office wall art remains pristine and vibrant, adhere to these maintenance guidelines:

• Regular dusting: Dust your artwork regularly using a soft, dry cloth. Avoid water or cleaning solutions, which can damage certain materials.
  
• Avoid direct sunlight: Keep artwork out of direct sunlight or use UV-protective glass to prevent fading.
  
• Control humidity: Maintain a stable environment with controlled humidity levels, especially for paper-based or canvas artworks, to prevent damage.
  
• Professional cleaning: Consider hiring professional cleaning services for high-value or delicate pieces to maintain optimal condition.
  
• Monitor for damage: Regularly inspect your artwork for any signs of damage, such as cracks or loose frames, and address issues promptly to avoid further deterioration.

Final word

Choosing the right office wall art is more than a trivial decor decision or a matter of whimsical taste; it’s an investment in your company’s culture, brand, and the well-being of your employees. By carefully defining your office’s aesthetic, considering style, size, color and other key factors, and exploring diverse sources for artwork, you can create a workspace that inspires, motivates and leaves a lasting impression on everyone who enters.

Transform a mundane office into a dynamic, engaging environment with art that speaks to your brand’s soul and stirs the echoes within all who walk your halls. Ready to elevate your workspace?

Visit Fracture’s website to explore custom art solutions tailored to your office needs. Start today and make your office a beacon of inspiration with Fracture’s stunning glass prints.