Resources

Halloween is on a Monday this year, which means it’s time to brainstorm some work appropriate costumes! Here are 20 easy-to-make ideas to get you and your co-workers into the Halloween spirit.

 

Clark Kent

Just wear a Superman t-shirt underneath a business suit with some glasses and voila! Instant Clark Kent.

 

Librarian

Got a pencil skirt, a blouse and a pair of glasses? Perfect. You’re a librarian.

 

Wednesday Addams

If you want to go for something a little more on the gothic side, go for this super-easy Wednesday Addams look.

 

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Jim Halpert had it right when he came up with the easiest Halloween costume of all time.

 

Sriracha

Just buy the t-shirt and make a green construction paper hat and you’re instantly transformed into everyone's favorite spicy sauce.

 

When Life Gives You Lemons

Literally write the word ‘life’ on a plain t-shirt and hand out lemons to your co-workers all day.

 

Men in Black

Black suit and tie. Sunglasses. Silver pen. BOOM. Men in Black.

 

Ceiling Fan

It’s punny and it’s easy. You know you saved those old poms from high school for a reason.

 

Crazy Cat Lady

Simply glue or staple a bunch of stuffed cats to any outfit. Not only is it a cute costume, but it gives you a reason to talk about your cats, and we know you love talking about your cats.

 

Fantasy Football

For those who love sports AND RPGs.

 

Pineapple

Just grab a yellow shirt and make a stem hat out of green construction paper and string. This technique can be used for just about any fruit, really.

 

Mime

A white shirt or dress with black stripes paired with some white gloves and face paint turns you into an instant mime. Plus, it’s a great excuse to not have to talk to anyone all day!

 

Where’s Waldo

Another easy one that basically allows you to wear a comfy sweater and jeans all day.

 

Sushi

White t-shirt or dress + appropriately colored pillow = instant sushi costume. That pillow is going to feel great on your back all day, too.

 

Spelling Bee

A simple honeybee costume paired with a spelling bee number will turn you into a literal spelling bee.

 

Bat

You could also go as a vampire bat! Just wear all black and attach some wings under your arms.

 

Mary Poppins

A black circle skirt, white blouse, umbrella and totally cute hat are a recipe for a Mary Poppins lookalike.

 

Bob Ross

A blue button up, some paint brushes and a glorious afro wig will have you looking like this one-of-a-kind artist.

 

Pirate

Arrr! This is one of those costumes you could go all-out with or take the lazy man’s way out with a simple eye patch and white blouse.

 

Business Cat

The most business appropriate meme of them all! Get your construction paper out.

 

What are your suggestions for work appropriate Halloween costumes? Share them in the comments below!

 

Already at work? Check out these 30 second tips for last minute costumes!

Fun at Work

More From NBF

Now Trending: Driftwood Finishes

Now Trending: Driftwood Finishes

Neutral colors will always be in style, and gray has been a clear front-runner for modern offices that find black depressingly dark and white blindingly bright. The trend toward gray has moved from being just a shade you paint on the walls to being a color you can use as a base anywhere, from the upholstery on chairs to the finish on your desk. In fact, we’ve seen more gray ash desks and tables over the last couple of years that have a weathered, driftwood-like appearance. With this finish, you can still get the beautiful wood grain look you love but in a soft, neutral shade that will look good when paired with just about any other color.

In an Office

The rustic look of gray ash gives it a homelike appearance, making it a great choice in an office. Whether in an open-concept workstation or a private office, you probably spend a lot of time at work. In fact, many office employees spend more waking hours in the office than they do at their residences. Making your office feel a little more like home is a great way to boost your mood and, by extension, your productivity.

In a Waiting Room

In the same way that you want your office to feel like home, you want to give your guests a warm welcome as soon as they walk into your reception area, which is just what this finish helps achieve. Not only does the color give off a soft look, but it can also be paired with any accent color when you want to turn up the volume. Pair it with bright green accents for a bold look or subdued blue for a calm, serene appearance. No matter what look you’re going for, this color delivers.

In a Conference Room 

Conference tables and storage units in ashy gray tones are attractive but not overly distracting. This makes them a great choice for use in a conference room wherein the goal is to create a professional look without taking away from the importance of your meetings.

Similar Washed-out Wood Tones 

You still have options if you want a little more color in your work life but love that soft, washed-out look. The NBF Signature Series Metropolitan collection comes in a boardwalk walnut color that’s light and rich at the same time, closer to brown than gray. If you want to go even lighter, the At Work collection comes in a Warm Ash finish that’s practically blonde, giving you a light, airy look that’s more intriguing than plain white.

How to Clean Area Rugs

How to Clean Area Rugs

Caring for area rugs can be just as time-consuming as caring for wall-to-wall carpeting, and different types of rugs require different cleaning methods. If your area rugs look like they need a good cleaning, take our tips for caring for each fiber and weave type.

 

Pile rugs are the most common residential rugs, though they may be less common in a commercial setting. To clean and maintain this type of area rug, vacuum regularly on at least a weekly basis to remove dirt and debris that can and will get caught in the fibers. Spills can be blotted with a paper towel and cleaner specifically made for carpeting. We also recommend having your pile rug professionally cleaned about once per year to ensure it lasts as long as possible. 

Flat weave rugs are more commonly used in offices because they are low maintenance and don’t hold as much dirt as pile rugs. This type of rug can be simply swept or shaken out once every week or so, though vacuuming is certainly a good idea. Blot or wipe spills immediately to prevent staining.

Natural fiber rugs such as jute and sisal are made of plant-based materials and can be damaged if cleaned with too much water. Weekly vacuuming will pick up any loose dirt and debris, but spills and stains should be cleaned using a cleaner specially formulated for natural fiber rugs.

Regardless of what type of area rug you have in your office, regular maintenance will ensure that it lasts as long as possible. Always check the tag and consider manufacturer-recommended cleaning instructions first.

 

#WhyWeWork—United States Veterans

Every year we hold a Veterans Day Office Giveaway contest, and this year we wanted to find out what makes United States veterans passionate about the work that they do. Please enjoy these #WhyWeWork stories and share your own in the comments below!

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Nicole Groshek

Nicole Groshek is the social media and content coordinator for National Business Furniture. She helps employees discover the true joy in loving what they do, from working in an inspiring office to having a little fun on the job.