4 Tips to Making Your Office Look More Professional

Julie Starr • January 7, 2022



One of the most important aspects of running a business is to make sure that everything looks professional. This includes not just your clothes but also your office space. Here are four tips for making your office look more professional! 

1) Use the right furniture

When it comes to furniture, you want to make sure that you are using the right pieces. This means investing in high-quality furniture that will last for years. You don’t want to have to replace your furniture every few months because it looks cheap and unprofessional. Instead, opt for classic pieces that will never go out of style. For example, IKEA’s desk and chair set may be affordable, but it won’t look very professional. On the other hand, a solid wood desk from a luxury retailer like Pottery Barn or West Elm will give your office an elevated look.

2) Invest in a nice rug

A nice rug can really elevate the look of your office space. It adds some color and personality while also adding a touch of luxury. Plus, it can help to define different areas in your office. For example, if you have a small office with limited space, a rug can help to create separate workspaces. When choosing a rug, make sure to pick one that is big enough to cover the entire floor area. You don’t want any ugly bare patches or gaps showing. Also, opt for a high-quality rug that will last for years. A good option is wool or silk rugs, which are both durable and luxurious.

3) Have A Cleaning System

A big part of making your office look professional is keeping it clean and organized by using a walk behind floor scrubber . Otherwise, the clutter will make you seem unorganized and disorganized to clients and customers. For example, if you have little bits of paper everywhere or a dirty coffee mug sitting on your desk unattended all day long, then that’s not going to reflect well on your business. You can avoid this by having a cleaning system in place for after-hours as well as during work hours. This includes things like setting up trash cans throughout the space so there isn’t any garbage lying around, using containers to store supplies instead of letting them pile up haphazardly. 

4) Hang artwork

Hanging artwork is a great way to add some personality to your office space and make it look more professional. It also helps to create a visual focal point, which can be helpful for when you are working on a project and need a little inspiration. When choosing artwork for your office, go for pieces that are professional and timeless. You don’t want anything too trendy or flashy, as it will likely date quickly. A good option is to choose classic art prints or photographs of famous landmarks. When hanging artwork, make sure to use proper framing techniques, so the piece looks polished and high-end. And if you’re not very artistic yourself, then you can always commission someone else to hang the art for you. 

5) Be sustainable

Incorporate sustainability concepts into your office.  Consider adding energy management systems to reduce energy and add recycling programs. Other options include moving to a paperless office , as well as, exploring eco-friendly commuting options.

Professionalism is key when trying to make a good impression on clients and customers. By following these simple tips, you can make your office look more polished and professional. And who knows, it may even help to increase your business’s bottom line!

5 Everyday Items That Can Quietly Boost Your Brand

By Julie Starr • July 17, 2025
The best branding doesn’t always come from big campaigns or expensive graphics. Sometimes it’s the smaller stuff that leaves the biggest impression. Things people actually use, touch, or carry with them. That’s where your brand can quietly make its mark without needing to shout about it. If you’re only focusing on social media and business cards, you’re leaving a lot on the table. Here are five overlooked ways to get your name out there that feel natural, useful, and more personal. Thank-you slips If you’re already sending out orders, there’s no reason not to include a short thank-you slip. You can easily get these made through any decent online print shop , and they’re usually pretty cheap to run off in small batches. Just a simple note that says thanks, maybe with a reminder to follow you online or a cheeky discount code for next time. It’s quick, thoughtful, and makes the whole order feel more finished. Customers notice that kind of detail, especially when everything else they buy online comes with zero personality. You don’t need a complicated design either. Just something clean with your logo, a message that sounds like you, and maybe a social handle. The point is to give them a reason to come back or remember your name without it feeling forced. Branded zip pouches If you sell physical products, offer services, or run events, small zip pouches are surprisingly effective. Think of the kind you’d use for stationery, receipts, or travel bits. You can get your brand printed on the side and hand them out with purchases or include them in welcome packs. People keep them because they’re actually useful. They get tossed in handbags, school bags, or glove boxes and your logo just keeps turning up. Cleaning cloths for glasses or screens This one works brilliantly if you’re in tech, health, beauty, or anything involving screens or eyewear. A simple microfibre cloth with your branding on it can go a long way. Everyone needs one. Whether they use it for glasses, a phone screen, or their laptop, it’s something they hang onto. It’s not the kind of thing people throw away, and that means your name sticks around too. Receipt envelopes You might already use little envelopes to hand over receipts or business cards. Branding those envelopes is a small change that makes a big difference. Instead of someone getting a scruffy bit of paper in a plain sleeve, they’re handed something that feels a bit more finished. You can even add a message inside. Doesn’t need to be anything dramatic. A simple “thanks for visiting” or “see you next time” is enough to add a personal touch. Wet wipes or mini hand gels If your business is in hospitality, food, or anything hands-on, branded wet wipes or pocket-sized hand gels are surprisingly popular. People actually use them, especially at festivals, food stalls, pop-ups, or kids’ events. They end up in handbags or cars and stick around longer than you think. They don’t scream “marketing” either. They’re practical, and when done right, they make your business feel thoughtful. That’s what good branding does, it shows you’ve thought ahead.

How Student-Led ‘Energy Audits’ Are Cutting School Costs (and Lighting the Way Forward)

By Julie Starr • July 14, 2025
What happens when students stop waiting for adults to fix things and start conducting their own energy audits? Money gets saved. The lights get switched off. Data gets analyzed. And a quiet revolution in sustainability begins—inside schools that once overlooked their own inefficiencies. Across the globe, student-led energy audits are proving that change doesn't always need to come from a policy shift or a major capital budget. Sometimes, it begins with a clipboard, a spreadsheet, and a group of curious minds asking: Why are the hallway lights on at noon when sunlight floods the building? The Energy Detectives These audits aren’t science fair projects. They’re rigorous investigations, often done in collaboration with facilities staff, local environmental nonprofits, or even engineering mentors. Students go from classroom to classroom measuring electricity usage, checking for phantom loads , and identifying where heat is escaping in winter or air conditioning is leaking in summer. One high school in Ontario saved over $12,000 a year after its Grade 11 physics students ran an energy audit and suggested simple changes—LED upgrades, motion sensors in bathrooms, and smarter heating schedules. They didn’t just propose ideas. They pitched them with spreadsheets, thermal images, and payback timelines. It worked. Learning That Pays Off—Literally Unlike textbook learning, these audits blend real-world math, environmental science, economics, and persuasive communication. Students aren’t just learning about sustainability. They’re doing it. And the savings add up. From dimming overlit hallways to reprogramming HVAC systems that run all weekend for empty buildings, students are surfacing blind spots that administrators often overlook. In some districts, their findings are influencing energy policy. Elsewhere, the audits have inspired school boards to hire sustainability coordinators—often alumni of the student programs themselves. There’s something poetic about a school funding new books or laptops from money saved by students who found out the vending machines didn’t need to be plugged in 24/7. Why This Matters More Than Ever With education budgets tightening and utility costs rising, every dollar saved is a dollar that can go back into classrooms. And here’s where it gets interesting from a family finance perspective, too. If you’re a parent setting aside money for post-secondary savings, every bit of school efficiency helps. Fewer energy costs might mean more programming, better STEM facilities, or even bursaries. That raises a broader point: when families save for their children’s future, they often look into RESPs (Registered Education Savings Plans). And many wonder—is a RESP deduction available on my taxes? While contributions themselves aren’t deductible, the gains grow tax-free, and students often pay little to no tax when they withdraw the funds during school. A Movement Worth Replicating These audits aren’t just an exercise in environmentalism. They’re leadership labs. Students learn how to spot inefficiencies, speak up in board meetings, and make a business case for change. They don’t just flip switches—they shift mindsets. And they carry these habits into adulthood. The result? A generation growing up not only with climate anxiety, but also with tools to tackle it.