A Fresh & Modern Office — Zeenat Arsiwalla

I thought it'd be fun to take a break from home decor for a day and talk office decor instead. I've seen some suuuuuper pretty & inviting lobby / office spaces in the design world recently, and it got me thinking about how some of these ideas could be translated into creating a beautiful, inviting space for a small biz in any field, creative or otherwise. A place to both welcome your clients & function in!

With a business comes lots and lots of paperwork, not to mention everyday tools and supplies. Things that can take over your work area pretty quickly! At the same time, you want the front of your business, at least, to be presentable for clients & reflect your brand and style. Especially if you're in a service industry with client and partner meetings on a regular basis.

So here's a scheme I dreamed up for a fresh & modern office lobby. One that's inviting and cozy, and has a creative spirit to it. But does not break the bank! And I've shared some ideas & sources below for furniture, lighting, storage & more.

paint - a cool white like Bejamin Moore's gray cloud or paper white / reception desk / art / pendants / sofa / pillows - blue , sea urchin / rug / real or faux fig leaf plant / window treatments - bamboo shades for a warm touch / floor lamp / lobby chairs / end table / lucite coffee table / fresh hydrangeas!

Rugs. There's lotsa great options out there. Natural fiber & flat weaves are GREAT for the office - durable for all that foot traffic, they ground the space & they're not too expensive. You won't be crying even if you get a mark or two on them!

striped / herringbone jute / ikea flatweave

One of my favorite designer offices is this picture of Tory Burch's Manhattan office from when she first launched her brand. It's over a decade old but still relevant! I love the mirror wall, chinoiserie table lamps & fretwork chairs... all grounded by a simple jute rug.

Storage baskets - Natural rattan and seagrass baskets are great for storing tools of the trade + keeping things organized. And they bring a certain warmth into the space.

a chic office in Domino / rattan baskets here & here / chevron / woven seagrass

Desks - I like the ikea malm for it's clean lines and easy-access drawer space, and this rolling desk from cb2 for an industrial look. Both at great price points.

Chairs. Looking for alternatives to the big, bulky office chair ? Try one of these with a sleeker profile. From personal experience, I've gotta say, an office chair is a definite (with a capital D!) try-before-you-buy purchase. You're going to be in one all day - gotta make sure it's comfortable for YOU.

I love a good lucite chair, especially here where it's paired with a more traditional desk and assortment of picture frames. A lovely home office.

Lighting. These West Elm globe pendants are a very popular choice for kitchen and dining areas. But how great does it look here in a vet's office!