How to style your office: 5 key tips to creating a welcoming, functional office space, according to an interior designer

Steve Cordony is an acclaimed interior stylist and style director at-large for interior design magazine Belle

Steve Cordony, enjoying a Nespresso coffee in his office.

As an interior designer, I spend every day transforming ordinary spaces into beautiful, aesthetically pleasing environments for the people living and working within them. I know just how important the aesthetics of a space are in influencing the overall mood, the feel of a room and the people within it.

The office is no longer just a place of work, but a place to collaborate and create and should inspire employees to bring their best self to work every day. Now, more than ever, employers need to make sure their offices are places of positivity, functionality and engagement.

Achieving this doesn’t always require drastic changes, but it must start with thinking deliberately about the work environment and how that affects employees. Whether it’s a fresh lick of paint, new furnishings or a new commercial coffee machine to help get people talking and feeling connected, you can create a sophisticated office, simply. To help get you started, here are some tips on creating a stylish, welcoming and functional office:

First impressions matter

When it comes to making an impression, we all know the first one counts. Beyond integrating branding such as brand logos and colours into interiors, choose the right accessories and experiences to convey your identity and the values you stand for.

For example, choosing bright colours, artworks and quirky pieces of furniture is one way to convey your creativity and out of the box thinking. If you’re striving for a premium feel and elegance, sticking to a neutral colour palette and simple decorative items make all the difference. Taking the time to welcome guests with a cup of delicious high-quality coffee from a stylish Nespresso Professional machine is also a great way to create a premium environment to your guests.

Bring your business to life by choosing a theme that reflects your values

The key to a well put together office is to create consistency, and to do that, I recommend choosing a theme for your office. A theme helps create consistency, and consistent styling makes a big difference. Once you know what you’re looking for, you can choose interesting office supplies and accessories that would work within your style and elevate your space.

Create an environment that facilitates conversation

The amenities in the workplace also play a role in creating the right atmosphere – in fact they can be used in a way that is both fashionable and functional by acting as conversation starters or opportunities to engage. Nespresso Professional’s coffee machines, for example, provide a sense of familiarity and are great ways to facilitate conversation. Finding a space for the machine that fosters collaboration over a coffee is one way to create conversation and positive experiences in the office.

An elegant new Nespresso Professional Momento machine creates a sleek and innovative addition to the office

Bring the outside in

Introducing indoor plants and greenery into the office is not only one of the easiest ways to make a space look better, but it can have a significant impact on your employee’s productivity. A study from Harvard University found that employees in ‘green’ offices with indoor plants had double the cognitive performance of those working in conventional office environments.

The same survey found that natural light is the number one attribute employees want from their office space. The amount of natural light in the workplace is one of the most important factors in mood and productivity.

Differentiate spaces for different paces

Providing dedicated break-out spaces where employees can relax and unwind can help foster a more positive and collaborative culture to the workplace. It is important that these spaces have a distinctive feel from the rest of the office, with a focus on comfort and providing a little slice of peace during a busy day.

Investing in a comfortable sofa and some throw cushions and choosing softer lighting can make all the difference. For me personally, one of my favourite ways to relax and quickly refocus is with a comfortable chair and a cup of Nespresso’s high-quality coffee. Providing these same creature comforts in the workplace in spaces that allow employees to unwind, connect, and enjoy a coffee together – which can really help create positive culture.

Colleagues enjoying a Nespresso Professional coffee in a dedicated break out space.

Just as a grey and rainy day can have a negative impact on our mood, so too can an office space with poor lighting and an uninspired, colourless interior. By making just a few deliberate decisions, you can create a welcoming space that won’t just have employees happy to be there – but happy to keep coming back every day.

So, whether it’s simple things like a fresh coat of paint, introducing artwork and accessories, offering delicious coffee or bringing in more plants and greenery, I encourage you to transform your office space.

Even small changes over time will make a big difference - and with it, how your team works and collaborates, for the better. There are always opportunities to make positive change, so why not start now?