5 Executive Office Design Ideas

There's nothing quite as refreshing as a clean slate. Whether your company's undergoing exciting change, like an office move, or you've achieved a dream C-level promotion and landed a private corner office to design, starting anew can help reinstate your passion for success.

So when it comes time to formulate an executive office design, you ought to take it seriously.

Change your surroundings for the better by combining your professionalism with your imagination. Leaning into your gut instincts may lead to a functional workspace that boosts office productivity and improves your quality of work-life. But how do you get started?

Not to worry. We've collected five essential executive office design ideas to get the ball—or desk chair—rolling.

What Makes an Effective Work Space?

Ultimately, you should always base your office decor on your personal aesthetics. It’s your space, after all, and it’ll be tough to focus if you spend the day thinking about how much you hate your desk’s configuration or that painting over on the far wall. That said, there are a few office characteristics that will help encourage productive states regardless of your style preferences.

So before you bring in furniture and color swatches, keep these tips in mind:¹

• Plenty of light – Exposure to natural light can make a huge difference in your workday. Make the most of it by removing curtains or furniture that blocks sunlight. Adding auxiliary lights on your desk and in dark corners can add ambiance and prevent eye strain.

• Comfortable seating – When you spend your whole day in the office, you need to sit in a chair that provides sound support. Look into ergonomic desk chairs or high-backed lounge seat to support your spine and your workflow.

• Natural features – When cooped up in an office building, a touch of nature, such as indoor plants, can help improve mental well-being.² Line your bookshelves with small succulents or opt for tall, leafy plants to add visual interest.

It's easy to get swept up in your work and forget your daily physical and mental needs. But if you create an office space that incorporates the elements above, the design itself will help support them even when you’re staring down deadlines. That's why learning how to maximize these office essentials can help boost your productivity and overall well-being.

Keep them in mind when brainstorming your workspace with the executive office design ideas below.

#1 Identify Your Atmosphere

When creating the layout for your office space, it's in your best interest to hone in on the atmosphere you're hoping to give off. An executive office needs to feel like a productive safe haven while also providing a welcoming air to clients and coworkers.

Imagine stepping into your newly refurbished executive office. How do you want to feel? Which of these characteristics sum up the space you’re envisioning:

• Relaxed
• Recharged
• Energized
• Inspired
• Calm
• Focused
• Creative

By setting up specific expectations, you can enlist the appropriate furniture and decor to match your ideal workspace. This step will prove immensely helpful when picking color palettes, desk materials, or executive office table designs.

#2 Prioritize Fundamentals

Now that you've got a feeling for the type of office you're hoping to walk into, let's dive into the basics. While executive offices serve different functions and come in a wide range of sizes, you can count on a few essential furniture pieces they all have in common.

Every executive office would feel incomplete without the following:

• Desk – Whether you're drawing up contracts or finalizing end-of-year numbers, you can't deny that a commercial office desk is your best friend. Use your valuable table space to your advantage and make it your own with beautiful accents.

• Chair – Even if you're a pacer, having a comfortable chair is vital. A desk chair should provide ergonomic support and keep you engaged during long days or conference calls.

• Tech station – In this modern age, you can't go far without an operational technology station. Along with a computer, you should also consider purchasing a webcam and microphone for important video conferences.

• Storage – If you live a primarily paperless life, your desk drawers may offer enough storage for essential documents and files. If not, you should definitely look into file cabinets, credenzas, or overhead storage units.

A smaller office should only require the above-listed furniture. However, if you're looking to fill up space in a larger office, there are still many exciting ways to spruce up your workspace. Consider a seating area where you take a break or create a cozier atmosphere—building rapport with clients and employees can be a little easier without a desk between you.

#3 Set Up a Meeting Space

Some executive offices (with adequate square footage) operate as meeting centers. Whether hosting an esteemed client or having an informal meeting with investors, a well-decorated office space can liven up any get-together.

Turn your executive office into a home away from home by adding any of the following:

• Sofas – A comfortable sofa or sectional looks incredibly stylish in an office and allows open dialogue to occur freely. Spruce up your space while providing visitors with a comfy spot to relax and feel at ease.

• End tables – Small tables purposefully placed around your office can help boost productivity while creating a lived-in atmosphere. A coffee table covered in thick books can spark conversation or give your client a place to rest their coffee. It also gives your coworkers a place to display presentations or take meeting notes. How’s that for a win-win?

• Bookshelves – A bookshelf can work wonders if you're constantly in need of a quick reference. Keep your most valuable items and work materials within reach without the chaotic clutter consuming your desk area. You can also bring in some of your favorite novels for light reading during lunch—your office, your rules.

When you invite potential clients or candidates into your office, you want to have a conversation. So, why not pick out some pieces that act as conversation starters?

With just a few homey touches, you can provide a relaxed atmosphere that helps you get down to business without stress.

#4 Find Your Flow

When designing your modern office, it's crucial to consider your personal workflow. An office that doesn't complement your work pattern will result in a counter-intuitive workspace. Keep yourself productive and upbeat by ensuring your office will set you up for success.

In order to do that, you should determine what kind of worker you are. Which of the following speaks to you the most?

• The Free-Thinker – Do you prefer a standing desk to a sitting desk? Do you get your best ideas on your morning jog rather than sitting at your desk? Many studies have shown that some experience increased creativity and alertness when moving around.³ Create a functional office space by capitalizing on free space in your office rather than filling it too full with furniture. Invest in unobtrusive furniture to line the walls and keep your workflow intact.

• The Compartmentalizer – Can you only read paperwork at your desk? Do you need to always look out the window when talking on the phone? Some people prefer to set up specific work zones throughout their offices. Corner off zones within your office with bookshelves or even room dividers. Ensure you've got all your bases covered and promote self-efficacy your way.

• The Collaborator – Collaboration can promote productivity by improving an individual’s flexibility and problem-solving strategies.⁴ A small sofa or set of lounge seating can give your peers a place to recharge while strategizing. Make sure to supply them with adequate table space so they can keep up with all the ideas flying around.

If you want to create your dream office, but feel concerned about sizing, don't fret. We offer custom furniture sizing to complement your office's shape and dimensions.

And don't stop there. Make your furniture individual to you by selecting a size, shape, color, and material to your liking. If you enjoy the look and warmth of wood, don’t go against your grain by choosing solid color schemes.

#5 Add Finishing Touches

Once you've picked your essential office furniture, you can let your inner interior designer take over and fill in the gaps. Implementing smaller decoration pieces can round out your office and make it feel like your own.

Think back to your ideal office interior design. Whether you're hoping to feel happy, inspired, energized, or relaxed, you can look to some finishing touches to get the job done.

Complete your workspace masterpiece with the following:

• Wall art
• Plants
• Lamps
• Clocks
• Snackbar
• Small sculptures/vases
• Framed photos

Think about the material and color of the smaller items you're collecting. Sticking to a specific color palette will keep your office looking cohesive rather than thrown together. After all, with an executive office layout, you want to make sure you look put-together yourself.

Create Your Dream Office with Juniper

When presented with a blank slate, such as an empty office, you should look at it as an opportunity to have fun and show off your personality. While considering your work productivity remains essential, taking steps to create an office that feels personal can help you feel excited to come to work.

At Juniper, we're excited to help you with various corporate office design ideas.

Juniper offers a wide variety of high-quality office furniture, extending from the executive office to the main lobby – and everywhere in between. Whether your company functions best with collaboration spaces or private quarters, we can help take your productivity to the next level (without sacrificing comfort).

So roll up your sleeves and start planning your office space today with Juniper Office.

Sources:

1. Forbes. How Your Office Space Impacts Employee Well-Being. https://www.forbes.com/sites/alankohll/2019/01/24/how-your-office-space-impacts-employee-wellbeing/?sh=e532d0c64f31
2. Lee, Min-Sun et al. “Interaction with indoor plants may reduce psychological and physiological stress by suppressing autonomic nervous system activity in young adults: a randomized crossover study.” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4419447/
3. The University of Melbourne. Do You Think Better When You’re Moving? https://pursuit.unimelb.edu.au/articles/do-you-think-better-when-you-re-moving
4. Forbes. Why Collaboration Yields Improved Productivity (And The Science Behind It). https://www.forbes.com/sites/katevitasek/2022/03/08/why-collaboration-yields-improved-productivity-and-the-science-behind-it/?sh=20b38e515d55