Shasta Morning

One of the latest trends in corporate interior design is using natural elements to create a feeling of being outdoors even while inside. This is not a surprising development considering that studies have shown employees who work in offices where nature is present are often happier, more productive, and have fewer sick days. With most of the developed world’s population living in urban areas, people are becoming more and more disconnected from nature. This disconnect has an impact on health, well-being and overall satisfaction with work and life. Innovative companies, such as these, are striving to bring nature into their workplaces.

“People generally prefer to be surrounded by nature, which provides endless sources of variation and sensory change. The instinctive bond between humans and other living systems, often called biophilia, is important to replicate in interior environments. It is also beneficial for people to spend time outside, even for limited time, during the day.” Quoted from “Workplace Strategies that Enhance Performance, Health and Wellness” by global design, architecture, engineering, and planning firm HOK.

Corporate locations are being chosen with consideration of views and access to parks and open spaces. Building design often includes an interior courtyard for employees to use during lunch or breaks. But what if your business is in a location where views of nature are not available? Or what if your budget doesn’t allow for construction of a courtyard?

Mossbrae Falls in the Reception Area

An affordable way to bring nature into the office is through the use of large photographs. Using today’s state of the art camera and printing technology, photographs can be printed in very large sizes without loss of clarity. Large photos can be face-mounted on acrylic sheets. The result is a stunning, frameless scene with incredible color, clarity, and depth which invokes the sense of looking through a window. These prints are extremely durable, affordable, and require no maintenance.

Conference Room featuring two large Mount Shasta prints

Even the most utilitarian of spaces can be more inviting and soothing with a touch of nature.

Stair Landing with Multnomah Falls

Having spent over 20 years working in an office environment, I can tell you that a touch of nature would have made my experience much more pleasant. I remember sitting at my desk daydreaming about being outside in the forest, or at the beach. Not everyone can escape the indoor work environment like I did. Bringing the natural world into the office is a nice alternative. And, you can do the same in your own home.

Crater Lake Panorama in Dining Room

For more ideas on decorating with large photographs, see my gallery of design ideas. If you would like to see mock-ups of my other prints in the virtual rooms above, feel free to email me using the contact link at the top of the page. I will also be happy to virtually place a print in a photograph of your actual room.