6 Simple Steps to Gallery Wall Your Office Space
For spaces that spark creativity.
So you want to create an inspiring office nook? A gallery wall that gives you the mid-day spark you need to fire off inventive ideas. A good piece of art in the right spot can do that. Which is why Artfully Walls, an online curated art marketplace that helps you fill your space with affordable art, is breaking down 6 steps to making that happen.
THE SIMPLE HOW-TOS
1. Don't become overwhelmed, really focus on art that makes you happy. This wall, nook, space above your toilet (legit anywhere) is for you. No one else.
2. Combine different types of work. Think: one photograph, one oil/acrylic painting, one portrait, and something geometric. (But there really are no rules.) Color outside the lines if you dare.
3. If you're afraid to put holes in the wall, don't be! You can use 3M Command strips to hang prints - they don't destroy walls and let you play around with positioning.
4. Level up and use one. iHandy Level is an easy app that will make sure you're hanging everything straight.
5. If combining multiple frame colors gives you major art anxiety, start with simple white, black, light wood finishes.
6. A "gallery" wall doesn't have to be top to bottom. It can be three pieces that each speak to you. You don't even have to hang them.
See the below for inspo! And check out the Gallery Wall section on their site where you can rearrange groupings they've picked or get step-by-step instructions on how to hang your choices.
THE MORE THE MERRIER
Herringbone by Kate Roebuck; Arboricola Study by Kiana Mosley; Sea and a Sailboat by Daniela Orlev; Black Arrows by Heather J Chontos; Blackberry by Jorey Hurley; Hermit's Road by Harry Stooshinoff; Beast Coast by Matthew Korbel-Bowers; Flowers by Tali Yalonetzki; Flowers on a Table by Daniela Orlev; Ruth by Tali Yalonetzki.
LEAN INTO IT
Black Glitter Etching by Anna Ullman; Knuba, 2010 by Alex Kostinskyi; Untitled by Anna Ullman.
CORNER VIGNETTES
Forever by Ashley Woodson Bailey; Equine no. 1 by Lisa Golightly; Owl by Karyn Lyons.
More from our blog:
5 Essential Office Decor Tips from the Creative Director of High Fashion Home
Make it pretty but useful.
Echo Marble Dining Table, available at highfashionhome.com
Dolley Frearson is Co-Founder and Creative Director of High Fashion Home, a destination spot for anyone looking to revamp a space or choose from a huge variety of high design products equally high on value and quality. But the pieces offered aren't just for the home, no matter what the name says.
With the shift in corporate culture (which, for many means buh-bye to the cubicle!) and the continued surge in startups, office spaces are starting to feel a bit more homey-- or at least somewhere you don't mind spending overtime in. We asked Dolley for her 5 essential tips for creating a "high fashion" office that feels like home/work.
MAKE IT A PLACE OF BEAUTY AND INSPIRATION
People think that an office (home, startup, or otherwise) needs to look like an actual corporate office; bookcases, filing drawers, and executive desk, etc. but it doesn't. Whether you spend 1 hour a day in there or 8 hours, your place of work should be a space that inspires you. So, think about places that inspire you-- whether it's a clean modern space like the Apple store, a hip boutique hotel, a feminine retreat to call you own, or a historical library with art work and books for inquisitive minds. Start with your inspiration and build around that.
Click through for four of my favorite desk picks.
MAKE IT USEFUL
You don't want to build a study that no one uses. Think about who would use it the most and how you would use it. If you have a huge space, feel free to use a dining table instead of a desk (like the above Echo Marble Dining Table at the Create & Cultivate office in LA). With laptops, iPads and wireless printing these days, you no longer need the typical desktop computer technically. If you're like me and like to use your home office as a "study" or "library" for your kids to share, consider a round, oval or rectangular dining table with 4-6 chairs. It's also nice to have a larger table when they need to work on a school project or if your kids want to have a study group at home. If you don't want to share the space with the kids, a large table will still be nice if you need to share the space with your spouse or if you have meetings often or need more surface space for projects.
Click through for four of my favorite dining as desk picks.
TO COLOR OR NOT TO COLOR
For those who like a clean canvas to clear their minds, a neutral wall color with monotone or muted colors in the furniture and accessories is the way to go. Some need color to bring them ideas and energy. If color inspires you, by all means find that perfect artwork or rug that has the colors you love in it. You can also go with a black or dark charcoal gray or any shade of deep blue. I personally love home offices to look like a hidden cave or jewelry box, but that's my way of creating an office retreat. This idea works best with an office room that has higher ceilings and windows for natural light.
DECLUTTER YOUR OFFICE (AND YOUR LIFE)
Declutter your office (and your life) - I'm a strong believer in the saying "tidy house, tidy mind!" I think it's incredibly important to keep your home (and office) organized and simplified. Nowadays, there are so many great boxes, file boxes, trays, etc. to keep you organize. If you start off with the right tools, it will help keep your space in order.
ACCESSORIES ON SHELVES
If you love collecting books and objects, that's fine, but keep them organized and make them look like they have meaning on your shelves. If you have built-ins already but don't have enough books (or any at all), combine your current books or new and beautiful coffee-table books you love with some great accessories like objects, sculptures, pretty boxes, plants, etc. It's great way to inject color and add texture to your shelves. But keep these shelves a bit open so they don't look too cluttered and busy. There are so many great design blogs and Pinterest photos of bookshelves to give you some great ideas.
7 Office Trends You Can Expect to See in 2016
2015 has been a great year for office trends. Many ditched behemoth leather chairs for standing desks (and scored chiseled leg muscles along the way), waved goodbye to real pants in favor of athleisure, and kicked off super-interesting side hustles. Now that we’re right on the verge of 2016, there’s even more to look forward to.
Some of the internet’s favorite career experts chimed in on the changes we can expect to see in the workplace throughout the next 365 days —and honestly? We’re pretty excited about what’s to come:
A SHIFT TO HEALTH-CONSCIOUS OFFICES
Companies know their employees are starting to focus on healthier lifestyles, and they plan on helping with that. “Through group wellness challenges, the workplace is becoming a bigger part of everyone’s plan to get healthy. In the coming year, employers are going to find more ways to encourage and facilitate their employees’ fitness, be it through healthier snacks in the break room or sanctioned exercise breaks,” says Heather R. Ruhman, founder and president of Come Recommended.
A GREATER USE OF TECHNOLOGY TO WORK REMOTELY
Three cheers for working from home! In 2016, being able to do your job outside the office will become even more of a norm, and technology is to thank. “I think we’re going to see a greater adoption of video technology that allows us to work more remotely. In a recent study, the use of video conferencing and project management on apps is really low. In order for flexibility for increased remote work to happen, we have to adopt that technology,” says Cali Yost, CEO and founder of Flex + Strategy Group.
According to Yost, right now employers and their employees are mostly using email, work documents, and Excel spreadsheets to update each other, but the problem is they’re not saving those documents on a Cloud-based, easily accessible platform.
“With this inconsistency, it’s hard to collaborate. If we change the types of platforms we’re using, the way we’re communicating with each other, and the way we store our data so it’s easily accessible, remote work will succeed.”
Kimra Luna, a personal branding and online business strategist, agrees.
“Employees who work virtually is becoming even more popular—especially among startups—because it’s lower overhead and you don’t need to rent out an actual office space until the startup begins to grow,” she says.
AN INCREASE IN WORK PERKS
Employers are starting to realize if they don’t make their employees happy, someone else will. Because of this, companies continue adding offers that are hard to pass up, like unlimited vacation days and in-office happy hours. Not to mention casual workspaces that allow you to not only get your work done, but ramp up your ping pong skills. Instead of feeling like work, offices are starting to feel more like home.
A RISE IN FREELANCING
As working remotely increases, freelancing will become even more popular in 2016 amongst twenty-somethings as well. Instead of having someone else in control, the power is shifting to the individual to make money and advance their career on their own time. “Young professionals who freelance gain more freedom and flexibility around when and where they do work—and they can protect themselves from only having one employer who could drop them in an instant,” says Dan Schawbel, Millennial career and workplace expert, speaker, and New York Times bestselling author.
A WEARABLE TECHNOLOGY TAKEOVER
With the Apple Watch and other wearable technologies at the top of everyone’s shopping list this year, it might be harder to find work-life balance in 2016. Since it’s becoming easier and easier to stay constantly connected—whether you’re on your lunch break or trying to fall asleep at night—completely shutting off could become more of a challenge. One bonus, though? With the advanced technology comes more freedom, so even if you have to take a call or respond to an email at 9 p.m., at least you won’t be sitting in a cubicle doing it.
AN INCREASE IN EMPLOYER BRANDING
Instead of cookie-cutter offices, employers are looking for ways to show talent their workplace is a great place to be. “One of the easiest ways to do this is through office designs that are unique and show more of the company culture. We’ll see fewer white walls with beige carpet, and more workplaces that are customized to what an individual company does and that are a reflection of their core mission and values,” says Ruhman.
A FOCUS ON GIVING BACK
Workplaces are amping up their power to give back, and employees get to come along for the ride. More companies will show their humanitarianism side by promoting feel-good challenges to raise money for charities. In fact, many will take things to the next level and adopt small non-profits of their own, creating a partnership that allows them to use their workspace as they grow.
Content in partnership with LEVO.