Are you constantly jealous of Don Draper and his super cool office filled with drink carts, comfy lounges and the soft clicking of the typewriter? Well, offices like that exist only in the world of Mad Men today, but you can recreate the vibe (minus the gross cigarette smoke) and feel important and successful like Don and his Madison Avenue crew!
Employ colors
Colors are one of the most recognizable signs of a time and they can really add the flair of any era into your space, but only if you employ them right. Today is all about simple, crispy white environments and pops of vibrant accents colors. But, as soon as you see that color palette of burnt orange, avocado greens, soft blues and golds, you’ll know you’re in the 60s or early 70s! Actually, there’s no easier way to set the tone for a space than to use colors. However, if orange and green are a bit too tacky for you, you can go with caramel, a few gray shades and very warm, earthy neutrals.
Limit tech
You might think that Don Draper’s office has absolutely no technology in sight, but remember that old-fashioned typewriter Peggy always complains about? Well, it was quite new and progressive at the time! However, if you want to achieve a perfect Mad Men look for your office, try not to overdo it with tech. Of course, you need to have your computer and a few gadgets at hand at all times, but try to hide the rest in closed storage. However, don’t hesitate to add a vintage typewriter somewhere behind your desk. It’s just the right mid-century accessory that you need to give your office that authentic Manhattan-in-the-60s vibe.
Make it comfy
How many times in the show could we see Don lounging on his office sofa or sitting comfortably in his armchair with a glass of whisky? At least once per episode! So, it’s clear that Mad Men used to be very familiar with comfort and relaxation, even during business hours. Luckily, this part of Don’s office is quite easy to recreate, especially if you have a larger space. Make sure to dedicate a spot for your lounge—add a sofa, matching chairs and a large coffee table. However, the star of the comfort should be your vintage lounge chair for when you feel like taking a quick nap. In order to stay authentic, opt for an amazing Eames chair replica that will offer you ultimate comfort and make you feel like you’re really in a top-floor corner office! You can put your feet up on the matching ottoman after a long but successful day and reward yourself with a few minutes of basking in your own glory!
How do you feel about carpets?
Wall-to-wall carpets were big in the 60s and 70s, which means your laminate floor will not really match well with the whole vibe. However, you can easily cover it up with a large carpet and introduce additional warmth into your office while staying true to the style. Opt for a simple gray carpet or spice things up with a little bit of early-70s fun print if you feel really bold!
Add a few décor elements
Whisky glasses worked so hard in the show that they should have won an Emmy. And even though day drinking, especially during your work hours, isn’t really a model behavior, be free to spice up your office look with a drink cart. Opt for a vintage, silver one and fill it with your favorite spirits and liqueurs. You can even sneak a drink after an especially long and hard day, just don’t turn into Roger Sterling!
The 60s were an amazing time (or so Don and his associates made us believe), so it’s not a surprise people wish to replicate the vibe hoping some of the time’s charm and prosperity will rub off on them. And if that doesn’t happen, you’ll still be left with an amazing, vibrant and practical office space that has character and charisma!
About: He’s interested in real estate and home decor. In order to spend more time with his family, Cooper decided to take a break, and he’s currently working from home as a blogger for SmoothDecorator and several other sites. You can find Cooper on Twitter.
