A Guide to Cool Prints for Offices
Office prints are so much more than just decoration. Think of them as a tactical
substitution to boost morale, reinforce your brand identity, and make the 9-to-5 feel a whole lot less like a goalless draw. By choosing unique and interesting art, you can transform a sterile environment into a space where creativity and collaboration actually happen—making it a place where people genuinely want to be.
Why Your Office Walls Need a Tactical Overhaul
Let’s be honest, most office walls have all the personality of a VAR check. We’re talking about endless expanses of beige, magnolia, or that weird off-white that just screams "we gave up." It's the visual equivalent of hold music.
But it doesn't have to be this way. Your office is where your team spends a massive chunk of their lives. It's time to rethink that space and give it a much-needed tactical substitution.
More Than Just Covering Up Paint
This isn't about slapping something on the walls to hide the bland paint; it’s about transforming a sterile environment into a place where ideas spark and your team actually feels inspired. The right prints for your office can be a complete game-changer.
Think of your walls as an extension of your company's playlist—they should set the mood, tell a story, and get everyone buzzing like it's the opening riff of 'Seven Nation Army'.
Your office art is your pre-match team talk. It should fire up the squad, remind them what they're playing for, and maybe even get a few laughs. Ditching the generic corporate stock photos for a gallery wall that celebrates your greatest hits is a simple, winning strategy.
Adding personality to your workspace isn't a frivolous expense. It's a smart investment in your most valuable asset: your people. A well-curated collection of prints can tick off several key goals:
- Boost Team Morale: A fun, inspiring environment makes people happier and more motivated.
- Build Company Culture: Showcasing shared interests, like iconic music or football moments, creates a real connection.
- Reinforce Brand Identity: Art can visually communicate your brand’s values and personality without you having to say a single word.
This is a movement powered by a huge community of creative businesses. The UK printing industry has a turnover of about £13.7 billion, with around 6,800 companies involved. A whopping 75% of these are small teams of fewer than ten people—just like us—who are passionate about bringing cool designs to life.
Beyond just interior prints, a comprehensive approach to elevating your company's image includes considering various types of commercial signs to create a cohesive brand experience from the outside in. It’s all part of the same playbook: making your space unmistakably yours.
Choosing Prints That Match Your Company Vibe
Right, let’s get this sorted. Choosing art for the office is a bit like picking a walk-on song for a darts player or the perfect track for a pre-match warm-up. It has to set the right tone, get your team buzzing, and say something about who you are. Get it wrong, and you’re left with the awkward silence of a missed penalty.
You wouldn’t hang a poster of a kitten clinging to a branch in a punk rock record label's office, would you? The same logic applies here. The prints you choose are a direct reflection of your company's personality, and they need to feel authentic.
What’s Your Walk-On Tune?
Are you a high-energy startup that’s all about disruption? Think bold, abstract prints with a bit of swagger—the office equivalent of The Chemical Brothers' "Block Rockin' Beats." It’s loud, it’s confident, and it wakes everyone up.
Or maybe you’re a laid-back creative studio where the ideas flow as freely as the coffee. In that case, you might lean towards clever, minimalist prints with witty pop-culture references. Think subtle nods to cult classic films or iconic album art that act as an inside joke for the whole team.
This deliberate approach to office decor is more important than you might think. With office life becoming more digital, the demand for standard printing paper has seen a 3.8% year-over-year drop in the UK. This shift means that when you do put something on the wall, it's a deliberate statement piece, not just wallpaper.
Finding Your Vibe Match
Not sure where to start? Don't panic. The key is to find art that feels like a natural extension of your brand’s character.
Think of your office prints as the supporting cast in your company’s story. They add depth, humour, and personality, making the whole production much more interesting. They're the difference between a forgettable B-movie and a cult classic.
To help you find the right fit, here's a quick look at different print styles and the office vibe they create.
Finding Your Office Print Style
| Print Style | Best For This Vibe | Pop Culture Analogy |
|---|---|---|
| Bold & Abstract | High-energy, modern, disruptive tech firms or startups. | The bass drop in a festival anthem – pure energy. |
| Minimalist & Typographic | Creative agencies, design studios, and collaborative spaces. | A Wes Anderson film poster – stylish, clever, and iconic. |
| Black & White Photography | Professional services, law firms, and corporate HQs. | A classic Bond film – timeless, sophisticated, and cool. |
| Pop Culture & Illustration | Media companies, gaming studios, and fun, informal teams. | The opening credits of Scott Pilgrim vs. The World – vibrant and playful. |
| Nature & Landscapes | Wellness-focused companies, consultancies, and calm environments. | A David Attenborough documentary – inspiring and serene. |
Ultimately, the goal is to curate a collection that’s a genuine reflection of your team’s values and culture.
Here’s a quick breakdown to get you thinking:
- For the Tech Innovators: Go for geometric patterns, minimalist cityscapes, or even deconstructed schematics of classic synthesisers. It's clean, smart, and forward-thinking.
- For the Creative Agencies: This is your chance to be playful. Think typographic prints with cheeky quotes, vibrant illustrations, or tributes to musical legends like David Bowie.
- For the Professional Services: You can still have personality! Consider sophisticated black and white photography of architectural landmarks or abstract pieces that subtly use your brand colours. For a classic and professional look, you might want to explore the world of canvas photo printing.
For even more inspiration, check out our guide on finding the perfect artwork for an office that truly speaks your language at https://stripedcircle.com/blogs/posts/artwork-for-an-office.
How to Create an Impressive Gallery Wall
So, you’ve picked your prints. The team sheet is locked in. Now for the main event: getting them up on the wall. Just throwing them up randomly is the design equivalent of a Sunday league tackle—it sort of gets the job done, but with absolutely zero style or grace. It’s time to arrange your art like a pro and turn that blank wall into a proper feature.
This isn’t about losing your mind with a spirit level and fussing over millimetres. It’s about creating a visual story that makes people stop and smile. Think of it like putting together a killer playlist; the individual songs (or prints) are brilliant on their own, but the way you order them is what creates the magic.
Finding Your Formation
There are a few classic formations for a gallery wall, and each one brings its own personality to the space.
A clean, symmetrical grid, for example, is like a Pep Guardiola team—it's precise, organised, and tells everyone you know exactly what you’re doing. Every piece has its designated place, creating a look that’s sharp and intentional. This layout is perfect for showcasing a series of prints that share a common theme, like our alternative album cover collection.
On the other hand, you could go for the more freewheeling ‘salon-style’ hang. This is the design equivalent of a Jürgen Klopp gegenpress—energetic, a bit chaotic, but absolutely brilliant when it all comes together. It involves mixing different sizes, frames, and styles to create a wall that feels dynamic and buzzing with creative energy. It’s a fantastic way to show off a more eclectic mix of prints for offices, blending music posters with abstract designs and maybe a cheeky typographic print for good measure.
A great gallery wall shouldn’t feel like a museum. It should feel like a conversation starter. It’s the visual backdrop for the office banter, the inside jokes, and the big ideas. Get it right, and it becomes part of the team.
The spacing between your prints is a crucial detail that really pulls the whole look together. As the infographic below shows, the right gap changes depending on your chosen layout.
As you can see, a highly structured layout like a grid needs tighter spacing to feel cohesive, while more relaxed, eclectic styles benefit from a bit more breathing room between each piece.
The Kick-Off Plan
Before you even think about hammering nails, lay all your prints out on the floor. This is your training ground. Move them around, swap them out, and get a real feel for the balance and flow of the arrangement. A great tip is to start with your largest print—your star player—and build the rest of the team around it. This piece will act as a natural focal point, anchoring the entire display. For a deeper dive into layout strategies, you can learn more about how to arrange wall art in our detailed guide.
Don’t be afraid to mix it up, either. A good gallery wall has rhythm. Here are a few simple tips to keep in mind:
- Create a Common Thread: Even in the most eclectic mix, a single unifying element works wonders. This could be a consistent frame colour, a shared theme (like 90s indie music), or a similar colour palette that runs through each print.
- Balance is Key: Try to distribute the visual weight evenly across the wall. You don't want to cluster all your large or dark-coloured prints on one side, as it can make the whole arrangement feel lopsided.
- Keep Spacing Consistent: Aim for a relatively uniform gap between each frame. It doesn’t need to be perfect to the millimetre, but consistency is what makes the final arrangement look polished and intentional.
With just a little planning, you can create a gallery wall that’s not just a collection of pictures, but a true reflection of your team’s unique character.
Placing Your Prints for Maximum Impact
You've got your collection of prints ready to go. Now comes the crucial part: putting them in the right place. Just like a perfectly good piece of furniture can look awkward in the wrong room, a fantastic print can lose all its power if it's hung without thought. "Location, location, location" isn't just for estate agents; it’s the golden rule for making your office art truly work.
Think about it: a bold, motivational quote might feel energising in a busy sales area, but in a small, quiet meeting room, it could feel a bit intense. It’s all about matching the art to the atmosphere. Consider each zone in your office and the job it needs to do—your art should support that function, not fight against it.
Setting the Scene, Room by Room
Let's walk through the key areas of a typical office. Each space demands a different approach to ensure your chosen prints for offices enhance the environment rather than clash with it. This isn't just about filling empty walls; it's about intentional design.
Your reception area is your opening statement. It's the first thing clients, partners, and potential new hires see. This is the place for a real showstopper—something that clearly says, "This is who we are." A large, impressive print celebrating a local landmark or a piece of abstract art in your brand colours can set a confident, professional tone right from the start.
Your office art is more than just decoration; it's a non-verbal cue that communicates your company's personality and values. It’s the difference between a space that feels generic and one that feels purposeful.
In the main workspace, where your team spends most of their day, the goal is to inspire without distracting. You want the art to be a source of ambient energy. A gallery wall of related prints—like minimalist architectural designs or a series of subtle abstract pieces—can create a dynamic backdrop that doesn't pull focus from the task at hand.
From Boardrooms to Breakout Zones
In the boardroom, where big ideas are born and key decisions are made, your art should encourage creative thinking. This is a great spot for clever, abstract pieces or typographic prints with thought-provoking, industry-relevant quotes. The key is to avoid anything too chaotic; you want to stimulate focus, not create a visual distraction.
Then you have the breakout areas and kitchen—the social hubs of the office. These spaces are all about decompression, collaboration, and building team spirit. This is where you can let the company's personality really shine through. Go for humour, nostalgia, and things that will get people talking. A print referencing a beloved film, a legendary musician, or a witty take on office life is perfect for sparking a bit of banter over a coffee.
To help you decide where everything should go, we've put together a simple guide. Think of this as your cheat sheet for strategic art placement.
The Strategic Print Placement Guide
| Office Zone | Recommended Print Type | Goal |
|---|---|---|
| Reception/Lobby | Bold, iconic statement pieces (e.g., large band poster, cityscape). | Make a strong, memorable first impression. |
| Main Workspace | Gallery wall of complementary prints, subtle brand colours. | Inspire creativity without causing distraction. |
| Meeting/Boardroom | Abstract art, thought-provoking typographic prints. | Encourage focus, innovation, and big-picture thinking. |
| Breakout Area/Kitchen | Humorous quotes, pop culture references, football icons. | Foster relaxation, conversation, and team bonding. |
By thoughtfully matching each print to its environment, you're not just decorating—you're curating an experience that strengthens your brand and supports your team.
Choosing the Right Frames and Finishes
So, you’ve picked out your prints. They’re brilliant. You're already feeling like the Brian Epstein of office art curation. But a great print without the right frame is like a festival headliner playing through a dodgy sound system—the talent is there, but the delivery is a total letdown. The frame is that essential finishing touch that elevates a simple poster into a proper piece of art.
Choosing a frame isn’t just about putting a border around something. It’s about complementing the artwork itself while tying it into the overall vibe of your office. Think of it as the final mix on a classic album; it has to be just right to make everything sing. It’s the difference between a rough demo and a polished final track.
You need to match the frame to the print's personality and the room's character. Getting this balance right is what makes prints for offices look curated and intentional, rather than like something you just Blu-Tacked to the wall in a hurry.
Frame Styles for Different Office Vibes
The style of frame you choose sends a clear message. A sleek, thin black or white frame is like a classic Smiths album cover—it’s cool, minimalist, and effortlessly stylish. This approach works perfectly with modern, graphic prints, lending a sharp, professional finish that suits a contemporary office down to the ground.
On the other hand, a natural wood frame brings a completely different energy. It's warmer, more relaxed, and has a bit of a rustic, folky feel to it—think Fleet Foxes or Bon Iver. This style is brilliant for prints with earthy tones or for creating a more welcoming, down-to-earth atmosphere in breakout areas or creative studios.
Don’t underestimate the power of a good frame. It’s the difference between looking like a student flat and a slick, professional workspace. It’s the smart suit your print wears to its most important meeting.
Then there’s the option of going frameless altogether. Mounting a print directly on a board or using acrylic gives it a raw, edgy feel. It’s the punk rock of framing—no frills, all impact. This technique works especially well for bold, abstract pieces where you want the art itself to do all the talking. For more in-depth advice, you can learn more about how to frame posters in our complete guide.
Practical Bits and Bobs
Beyond just looking the part, there are a couple of practical things to consider.
- Glass Type: If your print is hanging in a brightly lit area or directly opposite a window, non-reflective glass is your best mate. It cuts down on distracting glare, meaning people can actually see the art instead of their own reflection.
- Hanging Securely: Make sure your art is hung properly. A wonky print just looks sloppy and unprofessional. A simple trick is to use two hooks instead of one for larger frames; it helps keep everything perfectly level and secure.
Answering Your Office Art Questions
Right, you're on the brink of transforming your office. You’ve got the vision and a few potential prints in mind, but there are probably a few last-minute questions buzzing around. No worries – we’ve got this covered. Think of this as your final pre-game huddle before you get started.
Here are the answers to the most common queries we hear about choosing and hanging prints for offices. We’re here to make sure you get the tactics spot on.
How Do I Choose Art for an Office with Diverse Tastes?
Trying to please absolutely everyone is a losing battle. The secret isn't finding one single print that everyone adores, but focusing on themes that bring people together. What unites your team? It could be anything from a shared love for 90s indie music, a passion for a particular football club, or just a similar sense of humour.
The trick is to build a collection around a unifying element, not one specific image. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- A Shared Colour Palette: You can't go wrong by picking prints that all feature your company's brand colours.
- A Broad Theme: Think 'iconic album covers,' 'famous architectural landmarks,' or 'abstract landscapes.' This gives you plenty of variety while keeping things cohesive.
- Create Art Zones: Why not let each department's personality shine through? The marketing team might love witty, pop-culture prints, while the tech team could prefer something more graphic and modern.
The goal isn't universal love for every single piece. It's about creating an overall atmosphere that feels thoughtful, inclusive, and genuinely reflects the people who work there.
What Are the Biggest Mistakes to Avoid with Office Art?
The number one mistake we see is playing it too safe. Generic, corporate art that looks like it came free with the desk is a complete passion-killer. It says nothing and inspires no one. It's the Coldplay of office decor.
Another major misstep is getting the scale wrong. A tiny A4 print swimming on a massive wall just looks lost and accidental. On the flip side, always invest in quality. A pixelated, low-resolution print instantly makes the whole space feel unprofessional.
"Finally, steer clear of anything that could be controversial or overly personal. While you want your office to have character, it isn't your living room. Sticking to subjects with broad appeal like music, travel, sports, or humour helps keep the atmosphere positive and professional for everyone."
How Much Should We Budget for Office Prints?
Here’s the good news: you don't need a massive budget to make a significant impact. Prints are one of the most cost-effective ways to completely transform a workspace. You can change the entire feel of a room for less than the price of a new office chair.
Start by focusing on high-visibility areas like the reception or a primary meeting room. A few hundred pounds spent on high-quality, unique designs can deliver a huge return on morale—far more than most other office perks.
Can the Right Office Art Actually Improve Productivity?
Absolutely. This isn't just wishful thinking; studies have shown that a visually stimulating environment can genuinely reduce stress and boost creativity. When people work in a space that feels inspiring and reflects a positive company culture, they are naturally more engaged and motivated.
Think about it this way: art makes an office feel more human and less like a sterile institution. It sends a clear message that the company cares about the employee experience, which in turn fosters a happier and more productive team. It’s a simple, powerful way to invest in your people.
Ready to transform your workspace? Check out the full collection of music, football, and pop culture-inspired prints at Striped Circle. Find the perfect art to make your office a place where your team loves to be. Explore our collections and find your office's new look.
