Therapy by Charlotte: working 9 to 5...

Nothing is more exciting for a young professional than graduating from the field of cubicles and getting an office but then you move into your beige box where you can't paint, can't rip up the boring wall to wall carpet and have standard issue hideous function over style furniture...While I am lucky enough to be sitting at my desk looking out at trees starting to bud and the canal and river through them- I spent Friday looking at an office in the concrete jungle of downtown.

Creative companies are lucky, they are able to take what they do and turn their office into a space that really speaks to that and fosters creativity in it's employees...that wows customers and prospects when they enter the space. Creative companies are selling creativity so it is important for them to portray that.

But what if you are selling widgets or crunching numbers...because, let's face it...most offices are not designers (be it graphic, fashion or otherwise) and take the function approach...they are leasing space and often furnishings so it is what it is. But that doesn't mean your new Big-Girl office has to be boring.

First establish where you meet with your clients...if you meet with them on their turf or in the conference room and your office is primarily just for you then you have a little more headroom for personalizing it. Bring in some art, some pictures...things that make you happy since you are spending most of your awake time here. If you push around a lot of paper or need a significant amount of work surface consider adding a picture ledge above your desk to eliminate clutter on your work surface as well as giving you something to look at other than your computer screen when you blank out from brain exhaustion around 3pm... Most offices also have pretty harsh fluorescent overheads so consider adding a lamp to your desk.

Bring some life into your office...now I am not suggesting a garden or a ChiaPet- but a hearty plant will add some color and life to your office. Pick something relatively low maintenance if you have to keep it alive but most cities and large offices have plant services that will not only rent you a plant but come take care of it for you- if your office partakes in this service inquire about adding a plant to your office.

Most offices are laid out with the actual offices stealing all the windows while the cubicles are in the middle soaking up the oh so flattering glow of the overheads...so if you have a window, maximize it...add a mirror on an opposing wall to bounce the light around and make the most of the natural light (the glass from your picture frames will help a little too). Just don't place it right in front of you at your desk- you don't want to become known as the office Narcissus.

And if you are lucky enough to have room for more than just visitor chairs at your desk add a seating area! but keep it pretty neutral since chances are your desk is pretty hideous... just don't get caught sleeping on the job if you bring in a sofa or comfy chair. In office seating areas are a great way to have a more casual conversation with co-workers or clients. Just don't forget real business should be done at your desk.

Art work gets tricky in offices...you really need to consider who will be seeing it. In your private office take more personal liberties but always consider how it will read to your boss, your co-workers and you clients and make sure not to offend or isolate anyone. In common areas such as hallways, lobbies and conference rooms it really is best to go neutral and safe. Consider where you are and what you do...technology can get away modern art- they are after all selling the future. But, if you are in finance or really anything with loads of money involved remember that you want to instill faith in your clients that you are rock solid. At least I don't want to walk into my financial advisors office and stare a piece of art that is a bleak white canvas with a blue dot on it... You can never really fail if you keep the art regional and appropriate. landscapes are a no-fail and do not have to be boring...consider sources like Etsy for artwork like these:

or go more traditional with classic black and white photography Life and National Geographic are actually great sources for prints like these...

Conference rooms are just that, don't overwhelm them. by all means add art, add a plant- they are a great place to display company awards and achievements but remember you are there to do business so make sure you don't end up like this conference room where you can't see across the table...