A 'Blah' Office Can Have Serious Repercussions. Is It Time for a Redesign? The best office designs reflect company spirit.

From drab cubicles and cardboard curtains to game rooms and concert stages, startup offices run the gamut from bare-bones to over-the-top. But if the look doesn't jibe with your company's brand, you may be missing out on a valuable opportunity to attract investors, draw the best talent and boost employee productivity and morale.

"Communicating who you are and what your company stands for at every touchpoint is vital to creating a strong brand--and that includes the office design," says Rob Duncan, owner and creative director of global design studio Mucho, which works on everything from websites to interiors for large and small businesses.

A custom-designed space needn't be expensive. "You don't need a huge budget to make a big impact," Duncan says. "You just have to be purposeful and thoughtful about the kind of environment you create, because it has such an influence on culture, work ethic and your company's spirit."