Anyone have some suggestions for decorating combination front office/reception area?

Question

I've been asked to assist with decorating the combination front office/reception area of a non-profit organization that works with people who have various disabilities.

The room is rectangular in shape, with neutral color walls and tile flooring. When you walk in, you are immediately in a small waiting area with a few chairs situated beneath the only window in the room. The window, which faces the parking lot, is large and rectangular shaped. It has white "industrial style" blinds over it.

Directly in front of this seating area is the receptionist's desk, which is located near the right-hand wall. The desk is a grayish-white color and has a slightly modern/edgy look to it. The wall the desk is by is completely empty. Some shelving is needed there.

This space definitely needs a shot of color and personality! A rug could possibly be used in receptionist's desk area, but can't be used elsewhere in the room due to safety issues. It may be possible to paint one wall a different color than what's already there. What color scheme, style of window covering, wall shelving and misc. accents would you suggest, and are there any office decorating web sites you might suggest that are along the lines of what you suggest? (I'm a very visual person and it helps me to have some things to look at for inspiration.)

Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

OK don't you agree some office's need a homey touch, well you do know what it needs if you can find some stuff like chairs a coffee table as you would put in your home. Now like you said it needs color so if you want yes paint it! Or just bring the color with the shelving,picture's, accent pieces and in the curtains oe a valance and also add plants tri a simple chic look if possible Now that will make your clients feel comfortable.  

Answer 2

Here are some living room photos that might give you some ideas:

http://www.homedecorators.com/designRoom...

I think a blue accent wall - something like "drizzle" (# 6479) by Sherwin Williams - would look terrific as your accent color. Blues & neutrals have a very modern look when used together.

play around with the Sherwin Williams color visualizer to find colors that you like. It is the best paint visualizer on the web, imho. I like how their color palette is laid out, I like that you can search by color family & color name, the "painted" rooms look the most realistic, and it suggests coordinating color schemes. You can literally spend hours:

http://www.sherwin.com/visualizer/

as for a window treatment, I suggest either a roman shade or pleated shade. Since they are made from fabric, they'll have a softer, less industrial look about them. You could stick with white or get them in any number of colors.

http://www.homedecorators.com/window.php...

http://www.homedecorators.com/window.php...

Heaps of wall shelves & accent pieces:

http://www.homedecorators.com/Home_Decor...

http://www.homedecorators.com/Home_Decor...

http://www.homedecorators.com/Home_Decor...

(full disclosure - I work for the company linked above)

Answer 3

I would go with a blue color scheme with ivory and beige.  Blue has a calming effect and studies show it can make people more trusting.  Dress up the office with a few plants like a ficus, philodendron and peace lilies.  These also clean the air.

Answer 4

If the paint etc is neutral than use a deep accent color -or black- depending on what u mean by neutral. Fresh flowers or really good fake flowers make people feel comfortable or some green low lite ivy plants! Go to a cheap store and get a wonderful print of a painting that draws your eye and then hit a discount or thrift store to find a bold frame on the cheap. If it needs to be painted, do it yourself! As long as its not plastic u can handle it! Old books look great stacked on an end table under a planter.