Software
Houzz Logo Print
esparza831

office needs love

2 years ago

I need help making my office look pretty. I want to remove the corner chair and add a Fushia colored one. Maybe a purple chair. I want the colors like the photo attached but I can’t change wall
Colors. Also what can I put behind my monitor? That’s what peeps see when they walk in

Comments (17)

  • 2 years ago

    Sorry no design advice — but I would not advise anything from Joybird.

  • 2 years ago

    Curious. Why nothing from Joybird?

  • 2 years ago

    Would stick with rust and blue, remove mirror and replace with and add colourful pics either whimsical or to your taste, narrow frames. Colourful desk accessories.

  • 2 years ago

    Can you rotate the desk so that the monitor is facing a wall? I think it would open up the space if that is possible. I would do some Fushia, purple and blue art in place of the mirrors. I did a search on Amazon for purple and blue art and Fushia and blue art. I don't know your style but there was a lot to choose from. Amazon also has many purple and Fushia chairs. The room is going to look great with those colors.

  • 2 years ago

    This does not appear to be a home office so it should reflect the maturity of your position. Nothing in your office would give me confidence in the ability of the occupant to conduct business for me. Yes, a little touch of humor in a business office is an icebreaker. However, employers want your time focused on the job for which you are being paid. In other words, one funny calendar OR one funny desk decoration OR one humorous postcard on the bulletin board is enough. Clear every non business thing off the desk, walls, and bulletin board. Buy one chair in your favorite color to show your personality, but concentrate on being business-like in the decor. Save your love of color for your home.

  • 2 years ago

    Put a cable cover over the cords at the back of your desk. Remove the vase of potpourri. (As someone allergic to potpourri, I would avoid your office like the plague.) Then place another small, nice fake plant behind your monitor. It might not cover the whole monitor but will let the eye focus on the plant and not the monitor.


    How many people sit in that chair on a weekly basis? It seems to me to be decorative, crammed in, and too big for the space. I would eliminate the chair and get a quality faux standing plant. If people do sit in it often, then search for a chair with a footprint at least as small as this one.


    If your workplace is one where people decorate their offices uniquely to express their individual quirks, or if you are a guidance counselor to kids and teens, then go for the fuchia and pink furniture. Otherwise, I would tone down the colors. Sadly, even though it is wrong, others will judge you, perhaps even unconsciously, for having a juvenile look and it could have a negative impact on your standing in the workplace.

  • 2 years ago

    We know nothing about your job or who else comes into your office or who walks by your office to go to the other offices surrounding your office. Whatever you do that is seen by customers (yours or someone else's in a neighboring office) builds their first impression.


    I have had jobs where it didn't matter how I decorated because no one ever came into my space, but you are saying that "peeps" come in.


    Although you love fuchsia and purple, bright clear colors don't work with light beige walls.

    Look at how your hot pink file tray looks next to the wall. It makes the wall look dingy.

    Think about what color pants you would wear if you were wearing a light beige shirt that is the same color as your walls.


    You may be able to get away with something with some pinks on the back wall that is painted the blue green color


    I often find color inspiration by finding art that has the colors that I need to incorporate and filling the space with those colors.


    If I look for art with pink tones that have a touch of beige like your walls I find things like these:






    when I look at art with bright, clear fuchsia colors the walls behind the art will be bright white or cool gray and the neutrals in the paintings are clean, clear whites or cool grays.

    They want to art to sell, so they match it with colors that will complement the painting.






    You do know that you have a calendar on your computer, so there is no need for a calendar on the wall much less two of them.


    Anything that can trigger migraines or asthma in a public space is socially unacceptable. Sorry no potpourri.


    Again, I don't know what you do or what your goals are. It is a sad reality, but it is a reality - men get promoted much more quickly than women. I work for a company that has 70% female employees, but the executive suite has 10% women (1). This is pretty common in today's corporate world. Pink is very feminine. It tells the old crotchety men at the top of the food chain that you are a little girl or a sex object (Marilyn Monroe). It does not say "I am a serious business person who should be considered for promotion." The women who have made it to fortune 500 corporate executive positions also make far less money than the male leaders. No need to pay women as much as men because you can rely on your husband to bring home the bacon.


    Dress for success tells you to always dress like the person 2 levels up the food chain so they see you as a reflection of themselves. When decorating your office look to the office you want to be sitting in 5 years from now or 10 years from now. What do their offices look like? Model your office from their office.



  • 2 years ago

    To remove the monitor from being the first thing people see: Switch locations of the laptop and monitor. Or move the desk against the wall (suggested above).


    Please clarify if you prefer your office to look pretty, not professional? What is your budget?

  • PRO
    2 years ago

    Here was a cute idea for behind the monitor:


    Obviously this size won't work for you, but the concept might.

    Try to find something that fits with your status and the job you do. Even a framed printed phrase could work well.

    Not so sure about the colorful items you want since it doesn't seem like they would go well on that color space. Maybe do a colorful pillow or mat on a piece of art.

    Good luck

  • 2 years ago

    I many offices with overhead lighting a live plant line snake plant will do well- find a medium- chunky one, not dinky.

    The office looks like it would be better as “ less is more”. Too many small items and clutter. I’d declutter & box up most stuff for clean slate, to put back only larger, better, more useful items & be sure you have a place for all of your actual office supplies.

    Not sure if actual dimensions but there could be a role for fewer, right sizes.

  • 2 years ago
    last modified: 2 years ago

    This isn't a color dilemma but a layout, decluttering dilemma. So:

    --Decluttering: As suggested, swap laptop with monitor so monitor faces bulletin board. (Raise bulletin board up a foot and organize all the papers on it. Nothing else but bulletin board on that wall. Get rid of pink "sign" decor--sorry, not professional. Don't put anything else on the desktop except a classy organizer or two and a great looking container of pencils, pens, scissors, etc. to the right of monitor.




    --To make the windowless space more inviting, add a modern desk lamp to layer your lighting in a soft, warm way. This one is from target and so is the faux leather desk organizer shown above.

    --Put one mirror by the doorway to check yourself when you exit. Remove the second mirror entirely. .On the wall where the mirrors are hang one large horizontal artwork or two framed artworks that echo the excellent leather chair as @Maureen suggested. That art work is from society6.com and is very affordable. They have hundreds of great prints and original designs from various artists in all sizes. This is a way to convey your personality through well selected art looks at home in a professional office.





    --Rehome that corner shelf thing with all the bitty objects. The leather chair is great as is and so is the side table. That's all you need on that wall, which looks so cluttery right now. Get another art work for that wall so that's what someone sees when they walk in. Here's a nice piece with a lot of color to brighten the space. Get a good sized framed version, horizontal, of what you like.




    --Or get a floor lamp to put by the leather chair to add soft lighting to the corner.



  • 2 years ago

    It would help if you could post a thumbnail sketch of the floor plan with dimensions and the dimensions of your desk. I would love to help.

  • 2 years ago

    @Mayra Vaz first declutter and keep it that way. You won't know what organizers you absolutely need until you make an effort to put everything away every single night. No organizer will do as much for your space as a clean desktop. Get rid of everything on your desk except your monitor and laptop. (Do you lock your laptop at night or take it home?) This gives you lots of workspace during the day. Nothing is more attractive and professional looking than that. Put it all away every night. Do it!

    Several items were brought in to add comfort, but they aren't working or you wouldn't be asking for help. Take everything back home and start over. Take away the stand in the corner, the thing full of dried flowers, the inspirational phrases, the blue rose, everything. For now. Even the calendars aren't necessary. You aren't using them as calendars. Get rid of them.

    You say you like fuscia, and I suggest you add dark green to balance it. The focal point is you, so make your chair fuscia and the corner chair a dark green. You may not be able to find a whole chair in fuscia, but you can find a chair cover https://www.amazon.com/Melaluxe-Office-Chair-Cover-Slipcovers/dp/B086BZ65N2/ref=asc_df_B086BZ65N2/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=459479024122&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=9216073409184091673&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9007838&hvtargid=pla-944600549485&psc=1.

    Move your monitor to the desk area with the bulletin board. Can you put it on a shelf on the wall and get rid of the bulletin board? Can you get rid of the shelves to the far left so you have more leg room? Put your laptop to the right of the monitor if you need it open. Replace the dull beige pictures with a colorful nice picture that has fuscia and green.

    If the items on your desk that you might be able to clutter with, I see post-its and pens. Make them pink and green. Put everything else away every night.

  • 2 years ago

    Oh, and get a pink desktop image and screensaver for your computer. Something beautiful but still let's you see your folders.

  • 2 years ago

    I think pink is fine. I know a woman who was incredibly capable and professional. She's retired now. Her office walls and floors were pink. Her screensaver was pink. Her pens, post-its paperclips... everything you need on a desk... all pink. Nobody messed with her. Nobody thought she was girly, immature, silly, or any other negative thing you could say. As long as there is no clutter, that desk will look professional. As long as there is balance with all the beige and black, it will be fine... very fine.

  • 2 years ago
    last modified: 2 years ago



    With all the boring executive offices, you should be surrounded by what makes you smile! Pink is fine plus it makes our skin glow! My favorite restaurant has pale pink walls -- we all look amazing and it makes the food taste better! I agree with K L -- the trick is to make it professional and exude your personality.

    I get that you might not want your monitor facing people who are in your office. I hate when people are peering over me and reading my screen. Plus it might not be something they should see.

    Consider moving your desk towards the grey wall, and add a bench, with colorful pillows and seat cushion across from the desk next to the door. Move your bulletin board on the side wall with the mirrors (?) on either side. Instead of the big bulletin board, get felt pin board strips and line it up end to end at 42"high off the ground. This will keep your papers at one height and neaten it up.

    The bookcases/cubbies on the left wall are Ikea with fabric tacked on the back for more color. Please don't put anything on top of the bookcases. The cubbies will keep you organized and neat and be able to have your personal items also. My recommendation for the fabric is solid or ticking or small stripes.



    Consider getting a "peel and stick" wallpaper for that grey wall. Don't cover the entire wall. Use it like a giant piece of art. That will set the tone of your office. Then pick a color in the mural/art and that's the color of your pull up chair. There is a great selection on etsy.com at reasonable prices. Try to pick something more sophisticated, instead of girly. You will still get the look.



    https://www.etsy.com/listing/1483023790/peel-and-stick-wallpaper-removable?gpla=1&gao=1&&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_us_c-home_and_living-home_decor-wall_decor-wallpaper&utm_custom1=k_Cj0KCQjwjt-oBhDKARIsABVRB0zd1p5diaHiXlPi7exkXRrOijcxoOOhwMsbiYnC5-3T5c0YhDHnOPsaAhouEALw_wcB_k&utm_content=go_12569671679_118325115094_507439226834_aud-1184785539978:pla-307501513431_c__1483023790_12768591&utm_custom2=12569671679&gclid=Cj0KCQjwjt-oBhDKARIsABVRB0zd1p5diaHiXlPi7exkXRrOijcxoOOhwMsbiYnC5-3T5c0YhDHnOPsaAhouEALw_wcB



    https://www.etsy.com/listing/1351655804/large-original-colorful-flower-oil?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=large+pink+painting&ref=sc_gallery-1-15&pro=1&frs=1&sts=1&plkey=b0b8824b0352183af51466d9113223f18cc42ed9%3A1351655804



    https://www.etsy.com/listing/561903803/watercolor-abstract-painting-wall-art



    Fabric behind bookcases/cubbies


    Bench across from desk



    https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/kallax-shelf-unit-white-30275861/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=surfaces&utm_campaign=shopping_feed&utm_content=free_google_shopping_clicks_Store_and_organise_furniture


    Monitor cover. My preference is to match the desk (black), but a color picking up a color from the art/mural/peel-and-stick behind could keep your colors going. Don't get something too bright, subtle color is better. You want to focus on the art/mural, not the privacy panel.


    https://www.wayfair.com/commercial-office-furniture/pdp/ecoprivacy-acoustic-hinge-fabric-1-panel-desk-partition-ecpa1011.html?piid=50962194https://www.amazon.com/Pack-Bulletin-Strips-Removable-Office/dp/B09264JKMV/ref=sr_1_4?crid=1RO6UXSI5GC5Q&keywords=pin%2Btack%2Bstrips&qid=1696121148&s=office-products&sprefix=pin%2Btack%2Bstrips%2B%2Coffice-products%2C125&sr=1-4&th=1


    Felt bulletin board strips


    https://www.amazon.com/Pack-Bulletin-Strips-Removable-Office/dp/B09264JKMV/ref=sr_1_4?crid=1RO6UXSI5GC5Q&keywords=pin%2Btack%2Bstrips&qid=1696121148&s=office-products&sprefix=pin%2Btack%2Bstrips%2B%2Coffice-products%2C125&sr=1-4&th=1