I have an office...What should I put in it?

Question

I work at an insurance company in which I see people everyday. I want to be professional but at the same time I don't want to be OVER professional. I want to put some pictures up of stuff I enjoy like, fishing, and sports. But I don't know if thats to unprofessional. Give me some ideas, as it is BARE. Everyone that comes in has a comment about how bare the walls are.

Answer 1

As an interior designer, i'd ask, why must offices look like an office? Why can't we re interprete office design to be some place where we actually sit down, get comfortable, exchange ideas, discuss and have fun at work. I would suggest that you might want to balance out. Get cosy so that when your clients come, they would enjoy sitting there and feel more comfortable discussing.

You like fishing and sports, get a couch at your waiting area. At a cosy corner put some magazines, hang some memorabilia, flags. I would go to the extreme of artificial carpet on the floor with football field markings. Fishing stuffs weights and artificial baits make nice wall decorations which in turn can be a feature or accent wall.

however, remeber not to overdo it by placing everything and anything everywhere. concentrate on a small area and move from there. You don't have to do up every wall, just accentuate 1 wall in 1 space. And the rest are tiny bits of details.
Whats not professional about fishing and sports? Insurance is like sportsand fishing, its about risk, fun and life. Have fun trying.

Answer 2

If you can find a nice, tasteful framed art (or two) - even if it's of fishing or sports - that would be professional enough. I live near Cincinnati and have been in several offices that have nice framed Bengals memorabilia, and even though I'm not a Bengals fan, I don't find that unprofessional. I'm sure a lot of people find that it gives a personal touch and makes the person you're dealing with seem more friendly and likeable, and if you have something in common with him you might be more likely to do business with that person. A small photo of your family on your desk also makes you seem like a guy who cares about family, and is therefore trustworthy. A tall potted plant can soften up a bare, sterile atmosphere as well.

Answer 3

Go ahead with the fishing and the sports! It gives the office a great personal feel. Professionals often have their hobbies hanging around, and it gives people a comfortable and close feeling with the office inhabitant. This could actually benefit a lot for an insurance company, seeing as the people you'll be working with will develop comfort. It's a good thing.

Hang pictures of family, friends, hobbies, and even photographs that you've taken yourself.

Answer 4

I would put some pictures up in nice subtle frames that are classy. And i would maybe put like a small water feature or plant on my desk for a relaxing vibe when you are at work. Maybe even put a photo of like an island or your fishing if thats what you like, so you can take 2 mins every now and again to stop and think about what you are working for..

I would prob keep photos in general to a minimum. Maybe 1 or 2 of your family and one of fishing or your fantasy place (island for me) and then like a small plant. And i would make sure that my frames match. Maybe plain black silver so they are still professional rather than just pinned into a pin board.

Answer 5

You could put up a clock with a picture of somebody fishing in it. If you put up some pictures of people playing sports and stuff that would be fine as long as there in nice frames and they are nice pictures. You could also buy some post-its or something with sports stuff on it and leave them out. All of that should help. It's not to professional but it's professional.
Hope that that helps! = >

Answer 6

I think a great way to do sports and fishing and be nice looking (not redneck or silly) is to go with antique items. Old fly rods or fly fishing baskets look nice with some house plants. Also bring in some pictures of you and your family. Some black and white photos will go well with the antique look. Use warm natural colors. Browns, greens, rusty reds, faded blues. An old row boat oar hanging on the wall or old ball gloves sitting on a shelf. Intertwine them with you modern office essentials. Here are some links with antique ideas! More than anything else have fun and make it reflect you!

Answer 7

Do you have a college diploma? Frame it and put it on the wall.

I think pictures of you doing stuff you enjoy - like you and a buddy standing next to a big fish you caught would be fine and professional enough. But a big poster of Brett Favre would not.

Answer 8

Put stuff up that you enjoy to look at. Nothing you mentioned could be considered "unprofessional". It's your office and you can put up anything you want, unless your boss/supervisor has specifically told you not to put up any decor. But this is a place that (i'm assuming) you go to everyday for the majority of your day, so put things up to make it more enjoyable for yourself and your guests.

Answer 9

It is up to you, it is your office and you have to be in it every day, some people will like it and some wont.
You cant please everyone, although some try everyday, just put things that reflect YOU.
Sorry i cant tell you what to put, just think about it, and you will get it eventually.
Many things are nice to put in there. I put in things that reflect me and my life, kids, games ive been too. andything, and think from a sales point of view,, that everything you put in there could lead to a good conversation, or bad, some could be good for selling, and some could be used for easing the moment. (if that is what you do in your job)

Answer 10

get a book shelf and put some books in it with a few other trinkets. A clock is a nice thing to have. You also need a little green (plants) to offset all the white. A name plate and business card holder. If you like the outdoors get a black and white photograpgh of landscape.