Bare white walls and dull office furniture have long since ceased to be contemporary. Nowadays, the possibilities for styling your furniture and office walls are almost endless. Whether in a home office or a shared office, a well-thought-out interior design not only looks good, but also promotes productive work. With so many furnishing styles and design options to choose from, it’s easy to lose track. That’s why our guide helps you get an overview of the different style options.
Which colours work well in the office?
It has already been scientifically proven many times over that colours have different effects on both a room and the people in it. Of course, personal preference is the most important factor. However, aspects such as room size and lighting conditions should not be overlooked.
So that you can benefit from the effects of colour, we have briefly summarised them for you again below:
Red: The colour red brings energy, dynamism and strength. On the other hand, red can also encourage aggression. That is why we advise against using large areas of red on walls. Red accents in the office, in the form of office chairs, pictures or decoration, can provide an energy boost.
Green: Green shades increase productivity, boost motivation and create a good mood in the workplace. Green also stands for calm and relaxation. The rich colour can also make your work-life balance feel improved. It is no coincidence that we associate it with nature, with a peaceful forest clearing and often with spring too.
Blue: Just like green, blue has a calming and relaxing effect. This may also be because blue is associated with the sea and the sky. Blue therefore also conveys openness and gentleness. However, some shades of blue can also suggest sadness and distance.
Brown and beige: These earth tones show a connection to nature and create a sense of well-being. Brown and beige also radiate comfort, have a grounding effect and feel calming. These shades are also very versatile, as they can lean in any colour direction and are therefore easy to combine with everything.
Yellow, ochre and orange: Yellow, ochre and orange are less common in workspaces. Yet they radiate warmth and friendliness. Orange not only has a positive effect on our gut feeling, but also stands for cheerfulness and curiosity. Yellow and ochre tones feel bright and stimulating to us. Like the sun itself, yellow brings light, positivity and creativity to the surface within us. It is no coincidence that in many cultures this colour stands for a positive outlook on life.
White, black and grey: They are not really "colours", but they have a major influence on interior design. White appears very sterile, but it can also make rooms look larger and brighter. Grey and black, on the other hand, have the opposite effect and visually make rooms look smaller or narrower. White, black and grey look very modern and yet timeless, which is why they feature in every office design concept.
As you can see, the choice of colour for office wall design has a significant impact on productivity. That is why it is important to create a well-thought-out colour concept for the office. In addition to colour, the right materials also need to be chosen.
As well as steel, coated MDF boards and plastic, materials such as glass and solid wood can also be used in office furnishing. Natural materials bring a cosy feel to your four walls. If you want a closer connection to nature, materials such as cork or linen are also a good choice. A green plant wall will also enhance the look of your office.
So, in addition to the visual aspect, your choice of materials should also depend on practical use.
Which office furniture is needed?
A well-equipped workstation is essential both in the office and when working from home. The key essentials are a desk and a matching ergonomic office chair.
When choosing a desk, the first thing to consider is what purpose the work desk should serve and which functions it needs to offer. If you are simply looking for a small desk for your home office that will only be used occasionally, an affordable model without many adjustment options is often sufficient. If the desk is under constant use or is also used for other purposes such as crafts, a higher-quality model is the better choice. If you are looking for a model for the office, it is worth buying a height-adjustable desk . A manual or electric height-adjustable desk is also beneficial for your health. A suitable desk offers enough space for technical hardware, documents and other work utensils. It also promotes focused and productive work.
In addition to the desk, you also need an office chair that suits your individual requirements. If it has ergonomic features and adjustment options, it not only supports your concentration throughout the working day, but is also beneficial for both physical and mental health. An ergonomic office chair relieves strain on your musculoskeletal system and helps prevent headaches as well as neck and back pain. If you or your children use an ergonomic office chair from an early age, this can help prevent posture problems later in life.
If your working day involves lots of documents, folders or files, additional office cabinets and mobile pedestals can be useful. They provide enough storage space to keep your desk surface clear and create order.
What are the benefits of well-planned office wall design?
Well-planned wall design for your office can offer a range of benefits. It may seem like just a small aspect of office planning, but the right colour and design for your office walls can have a significant impact on your employees' productivity and wellbeing.
- Increased productivity: Research has shown that the colour and design of walls in the workplace can have a noticeable effect on employee productivity. Bright, vibrant colours can boost energy and creativity, while softer shades can have a calming effect.
- Improved mood: The right wall colour can help improve the atmosphere in the office. Pastel colours and shades of green have been shown to have a calming effect and can help reduce stress.
- Encouraging creativity: Special design elements such as wall art or graphics can stimulate your employees' creativity. An inspiring quote or a creative design can be just the spark needed to generate new and innovative ideas.
- Strengthening your brand: Thoughtful wall design can help reinforce your brand identity. You can use the colours and designs that represent your brand to create a cohesive and consistent look throughout your office.
- Enhanced aesthetics: Finally, attractive wall design can simply make your office look better. A well-designed working environment can help employees and visitors feel more comfortable and welcome. In summary, well-planned office wall design can be an essential part of a productive and pleasant working environment. It is therefore worth investing a little time and effort in this aspect of office planning.
What options are there for office wall design?
Now that it is clear that designing office walls has many positive effects, you are probably wondering how you can decorate your walls. There are far more options than simply painting the walls in colour. Below, we would like to show you a few decorative ideas for your office wall design.
Office wall stickers
If you would like to keep your office wall design simple and selective, wall stickers are one suitable option. Various online providers offer an almost limitless selection of designs. A wall sticker also creates a special eye-catching feature in the room and is incredibly easy to apply or remove. Simply dust the desired area and stick the design evenly onto the surface. This also gives you the option of regularly changing your office wall design without much effort. Just peel it off and apply a new design. However, with this form of office wall design, you should pay attention to where it is placed, as the material can fade in direct sunlight or come loose at higher temperatures. Depending on the light and temperature conditions, this may mean that the office wall design needs to be pressed back down regularly or replaced.
Green office wall design
Unlike a wall sticker, a “green” office wall design needs light, depending on whether the greenery is real or whether you opt for an artificial alternative. One of the biggest current trends is living green walls made from specially preserved moss. This is applied to a special framed panel that prevents the walls from becoming damp and, in the worst case, developing mould. Another advantage of a moss wall is that it noticeably improves the indoor climate, which boosts both concentration and employee productivity. At the same time, this type of office wall design creates an incredible eye-catching feature that makes the room feel cosier and has a positive effect on the room acoustics thanks to its sound-absorbing properties. In addition, living office wall design is very low-maintenance and also thrives in indirect sunlight.
Special wall planters also enhance the workplace and, with the right care and enough light, improve air quality and create a pleasant indoor atmosphere.
If your office has little natural daylight, you can opt for artificial plants. Although these alternatives, which often look deceptively real nowadays, have no positive effect on the air quality or acoustics, like their real counterparts they still create a cosy working atmosphere. What’s more, artificial plants in the office require virtually no care. Dusting the leaves occasionally is perfectly sufficient. The only thing to bear in mind here is that direct sunlight will cause the plant to fade over time if it does not have a special UV coating.
A natural office wall design therefore offers significant added value for the office or your home office.
Acoustic panels
One of the latest trends in office wall design is wooden acoustic panels. They are used primarily for their look and their positive effect on room acoustics. They bring the space to life and create a modern visual highlight. Thanks to the simple installation, the office gets a completely different feel in no time. Wood as a natural material also makes the room feel cosier. Unlike heavy living plant walls, acoustic panels have hardly any effect on the condition of the wall underneath. So if, after a while, you decide against this office wall design again, you will only need to make minor repairs to the wall behind it.
The panels are available from DIY stores and various online shops, among others.
Wall units
The classics of office wall design are wall units. These practical all-rounders do not just enhance bare walls, they also offer plenty of storage space for folders, files and other office essentials. Thanks to the wide range of different designs, there is a suitable wall unit for every office. As they usually consist of different modules, the office wall design can be expanded or reduced as required. Add some attractive wall art and a few plants, and the office furniture becomes a real eye-catcher.
How does office wall design improve room acoustics?
As already mentioned in the previous sections, office wall design can help improve room acoustics. If your office does not have carpeted flooring, it may be very noisy and echoey. Designing office walls with acoustic panels or plant walls helps absorb sound and reduce the noise level in the room. Optimal room acoustics create a pleasant working atmosphere that promotes concentration and efficient work.
What should you consider when designing an office wall?
Before designing your office wall, there are a few aspects you should consider. First and foremost, you need to decide which interior style you want for your office. There is a wide range of different styles to choose from. Particularly popular are minimalist modern, mid-century/retro, boho and industrial style. You can find more information on the various interior styles, as well as on the topics “Setting up a home office: ideas for home” and “Setting up an office: ideas for companies” in our advice section.
Another deciding factor is how the room is used, in other words, how many people work there and how often the room is used. If the room is empty from time to time, it is better to avoid high-maintenance plants and green moss walls. Artificial plants, acoustic panels and wall units are a better option here. Real greenery should also be avoided if there is insufficient daylight. If you need additional storage space, a wall unit is the right choice for your office wall design. The available space and restrictions such as sloping ceilings and a bay window also need to be taken into account.
If you keep these factors in mind, nothing stands in the way of a study with a feel-good atmosphere.
Conclusion: Which wall design is modern?
Office wall design is a fundamental aspect that is often underestimated when planning and furnishing workspaces. Not only the functionality and ergonomics of the workstation itself influence the productivity and satisfaction of your employees, but also the overall indoor climate and visual design of the office. The effect of wall design on employee performance can be enormous. Colours, materials and design influence mood, creativity and concentration.
A varied wall design can therefore make a positive contribution to the working atmosphere and enhance the well-being of both employees and employers. But office wall design can also play a role for B2B or private customers, for example during first impressions or customer meetings. An aesthetically appealing reception area and a well-thought-out office can stylishly reinforce and promote the company's image.