Bold and interesting art in the largest size that will fit in your office will make a statement.

What is your profession? That will make a difference as to whether to be whimsical, artsy, colorful or "all professional". Paper lanterns hanging from the ceiling, neon light with a fun message...art that is subjective. Maybe an office chair that is bright instead of the typical black/brown. Photos?

I like the empty frames!

Pinterest great inspiration.

there are also a million little things. my friend had started to lose her close up vision, so she went to the dollar store etc. Actually had a bouquet of cool glasses! a manager used to go to Sanibel every year kept mementos from there. a framed map, a shell, etc. Except for the mgr we all had cubicles. and my friend used to give out $1 store framed prints of places to dream about as you worked on your computer. for me it was a mountain scene. Remember though, too much personal or funny etc. can be turned on you. I also used the space as a spot for my blueness to shine. handmade stained glass blue vase for a pencil cup. Willow pattern candy dish for paper clips. a hand made bowl by my son (blue too) for my sticky notes. there was no where to go for lunch, so several of us had fancy placemats for eating lunch. I actually had a couple etched silver coasters. I do think that some go over board, the 3 million beanie babies, the multiple hand crocheted or quilted blankets. Then it looks unprofessional.

I don't know how much room you have in your office but an easy way to add huge style points is to set up an alternative seating area. Even a small one will give your office class.

Place an art floor light in a corner

Place a folding screen in front of it.

Put two chairs in front of the folding screen with a table between

Add a floor lamp for lighting and a rug under the whole thing and you have instant cool.

You could do the same thing in front of a bookshelf.

Even if you don't have room for screen or books you can still put a small table between two chairs in front of your desk for style power.

Could you post a photo of your office? We'd be happy to provide some suggestions. Our artworks have made their way into quite a few professional offices over the years. Art and plants are an easy way to personalise a corporate work space - and many studies show they improve productivity :)

How about a mural. Not sure what interests you but took your name literally.

oh now that would be cool. I have a few too - some were used in bathrooms, but cool no matter where!

above a tube, below a nebula

blackboard wall paper easy removable-wall sticker the same
wall mural - in case you are looking for harry or waiting for the train to hogwarts
welcome to my library

Wow - such quick response and wonderful ideas. I am a lawyer but working for a software company- so I'm going for some quirky or whimsical but not too. It can be a fine line. Because of security, I'm strictly prohibited from taking any pics much less posting. I will search for a pic the approximates my office for ideas. Sadly it is not large enough to create a separate seating area but that may change when they move offices around so I wil keep that idea close at hand. Thanks so much.

Whatever quirky thing it is, it should be something that you actually like, not just something *because* of its quirkiness. It'll be a conversation starter, so you want to make sure you have something to say about it besides "I thought it was cool". So, what are *your* interests or hobbies?

Just found a new one. For a tech company is an antipathy, right?

these were both in bedrooms behind the bed, very scenic and restful, no?

hmmm they were much bigger on the wall?

Orange- you are so right. So it has to be mine, but in a way that looks pulled together - not thrown together. I'm an amateur small scale metalsmither (metal jewelry and small bowls) and have some forged bowls for holding business cards. Like glass blowing as well so will display some pieces. And finally, cliche as it is, love to travel and have small tokens of some of my trips- but therein lies the problem of how best to display without looking mish- mashed. I love the murals but am thinking more of a series of smaller prints rather than taking up a full wall to start. The bigger office would be a better place for something like that I think - so that will be another suggestion I keep in my idea book. Keep the ideas coming. It's very inspiring for me!

Havingfun-I like those prints even in small scale. Very pretty and, yes, calming!!

I have seen where people have bought blown up maps, you could then tack your momentos to that. Also if you frame them it is good to keep frames or backgrounds unified in color of shape. I have seen examples of creating artwork out of your smaller art work, here

on shelves all black and white

boat cleats and rope, do not know why everyone goes nuts in bathrooms

small objects in boxes are decorated to go together, though i feel the variance here is too much.
life in a pattern

on its own background

I do not know where you work, but if you are working with many true geeks they may feel you cannot relate. So something they can relate too is a very good idea. I will say before you hang this one, you better understand most if not all the references, cause like that silly french course, insider jokes tend to include these materials. A simple tardis door or something painted in tardis blue may be all you need. unfortunately, except for a couple, i can help you with these references and i am a girl. In addition, i had a dog named Val and was going to name my daughter Lorien. how said is that? tehehe

Excuse me, sad, how sad is that.

@mppilot, you can make your collection of very interesting items cohesive with the way it's displayed, even if the items are very different. For example, use the same style frame for every picture and the same style shelf for each of your items. Keep the frames and shelves simple, so your things will stand out.

You may want to include some "tools of the trade" in with the things you've made and collected. Metal-working tools, or something. Maybe you can get a friend to take pictures of you in your workshop. It seems that a commonality that your items have is that they're handmade - either by you or others.

Are you, or do you know, a blacksmith? A hand-wrought hook on the back of your office door for coats would be a nice touch. I like that you're actually using some of your treasures and not just displaying them.

You may feel that your things are a mishmash, but remember that what they all have in common is you, and that's the whole point.

So your not a pilot? lol .. I like the more powerful posters - for intimidation purposes! Great ideas. Good luck!

Look orange, great minds do work alike!

First you should check with HR to find out what is allowed then do not view this as if this were your home.........it's just not. Many corporations don't think personalizing a space appropriate.

Then do things that will not affect your ability to rise in the organization. I once designed the office of an executive that had an interest in duck hunting so we added some duck decoys and watercolors, .but we didn't mount any dead birds on the wall.

I have walked into offices of executives who thought mounting Samari swords on the wall was appropriate. That would not be my recommendation. I don't recommend pictures of your family either.

Yeah, your office is kind of like your live facebook page, a lot of info can be gleened and misused, so the personal needs to be well thought out first.

Did anyone see the article about the woman who worked for a high tech company? seems when she went to trade shows, first all the men thought she was only there for show-she could not have written any of the tech articles, second they made many demeaning and sexually oriented comments. One woman refuses to go any more.

of course that is not the only problem that may arise, it has never failed to amaze me the negative inferences people can make. I am sorry, i do not mean to scare into not doing it, just in being careful. You know not too girly, etc.

We recently had a patron who is an attorney who chose exactly what you're describing...serene scapes to provide soothing focal points during the crazy days she puts in! Love to help!

@darzy - here is an approximation of my office with an additional 1/2 wall bookcase and file cabinet on the right side wall. the wall to the left of my desk is a blue similar to BM Prussian Blue (below)- nothing exciting, but a good blank slate. I've got a few prints from my travels and some of my creations to start with. These ideas have been really helpful. Thanks for all your comments!

love that blue. Think blue skies! or maybe blue seas! I used to dive. But skies are pretty no matter where you find them.