Most of us can agree that having art in the workplace is a good thing. But, how companies go about getting the right office art for their brand and space can vary. Companies seeking to add art to their office space are faced with several steps in order to get the job done right. Each of these steps can involve a different contact, and comes with its own set of costs. From the selection process through to installation and maintenance, companies looking to find and keep art affordably need to look at the bigger picture when approaching each of the steps below:

Whether your company is faced with office relocation, remodeling, or moving into its very first space, creating a welcoming work environment is instrumental in establishing your company’s culture. With mounting research demonstrating a causal link between employee well-being and productivity in the workplace, thoughtful investments in decor and design, including rotating art have become the new normal.

Factors such as furniture, lighting, plants, and open floor-plans are significant in contributing to a productive environment, but artwork maintains a unique ability to serve the aesthetic atmosphere while also communicating a direct and positive message about a company’s culture and value--even through its presence alone.

Outfitting an office with the perfect art can be a challenge. Certain spaces don’t just need great artwork; they need the right artwork to that achieves a specific purpose. Art can certainly help companies achieve certain goals such as improving client communication and attracting skilled new employees, but consideration must be given to the space in which this happens. Here are a few key spaces to consider when selecting office artwork.

When it comes to installing office artwork, you have two options: hire a professional or do it yourself. The process is not as simple as one may intuit, so, naturally, we recommend hiring a professional. Nonetheless, for those do-it-yourselfers, here’s a list of things to consider before you pick up a hammer.

Office artwork has a proven track record of increasing employee productivity and building company culture, but it also influences another group: your clients. Art provides an opportunity to communicate your company’s message beyond what can be done through speaking and writing. It paints a picture of your company’s mission, its aspirations, and its history. To truly impress and retain clients, office art must be considered.

In fact, a survey of 800 businesses with art collections discovered that, in addition to boosting employee morale, art collections improve a company’s public image. So how exactly does office art do this? 

Often, when businesses move into a new building or expand their existing space, selecting office art is an afterthought. A great deal of time and effort is invested in flooring, lighting, and furniture, while walls are left noticeably bare. This is understandable. There is a lot to consider when making a move, and art is a finishing touch, not a first priority. Moreover, the acquisition of artwork mistakenly thought to be time-consuming and permanent. 

More and more companies are expressing their unique character through the use of office artwork. This doesn’t mean they’re choosing a mass reproduction of Van Gogh’s “Starry Night.” And thankfully, we’ve seen the end of the corny motivational posters that once adorned conference rooms across the country.  Instead, a thoughtful, deliberate approach of using artwork to reinforce company culture and shape the office working environment is paying dividends in increased employee productivity.