From Reception to Break Room: Cardboard Cutouts That Add Character to Your Office

Cardboard cutouts can be more than just a gimmick at your office. They’re a clever, affordable way to inject personality into the workplace, while also helping you promote your brand. 

From life-sized celebrity cutouts that give clients a laugh in reception, to quirky displays that boost morale in the break room, cardboard cutouts are ideal for all sorts of events in the calendar, including Halloween and Christmas.

Cardboard cutout of a woman in a steampunk outfit with orange hair

With over 30 years’ experience in creating cardboard cutouts, we’ve seen firsthand how businesses are using them not just for fun, but for boosting their brand. 

Here’s how you can use office cardboard cutouts across different spaces in your workplace to bring a bit more life, laughter and meaning to the everyday.

  1. Reception Area: Make a Strong First Impression

Your reception is your first chance to show what your business is all about, and first impressions matter. 

A cardboard cutout of your brand mascot, a famous ambassador, or even a founder in mid-handshake can spark conversation and set the tone. It shows you don’t take yourself too seriously, while still being professional.

Ideas for reception:

  • A celebrity or historical figure relevant to your brand (e.g. Churchill for leadership firms, Attenborough for environmental companies).
  • A welcoming branded cutout with your logo and a QR code for contactless check-in.
  • Seasonal cutouts (e.g. Santa in December, a giant Easter bunny in April) keep things fresh and give visitors something to smile about.
  1. Meeting Rooms: Add Character Without Distraction

Meeting rooms can be dull looking. A cardboard cutout adds interest without being intrusive, and it can break the ice during client sessions or team brainstorms.

Imagine walking into a strategy meeting and being greeted by a life-sized Einstein holding a whiteboard that reads, ‘Think outside the box.’ It instantly lifts the energy in the room.

Ideas for meeting rooms:

  • Famous innovators like Steve Jobs or Marie Curie.
  • A rotating ‘employee of the month’ cutout — give your star team members a larger-than-life spotlight.
  • Branded cutouts with inspirational quotes or industry stats to drive focus.
  1. Open Plan Desks: Personal Touches & Team Identity

In open plan offices, it’s easy for teams to lose a sense of identity. Cardboard cutouts can be a playful way to mark territory, reinforce your team spirit, or add some friendly rivalry between departments.

Ideas for desk areas:

  • Cutouts of each team’s “spirit animal” or unofficial mascot.
  • Life-sized photos of remote workers or team members on parental leave. A great way to make sure no one feels left out!
  • A team leaderboard where the top performing team each month gets to display a trophy cutout or banner by their desks.

It’s cost-effective, easy to swap out, and helps personalise the office environment in a way that boosts morale.

Cardboard cutout of a woman in a stylish black and white outfit outdoors

  1. Break Room: Add Humour Where It’s Needed Most

The break room should be a place where staff unwind, and nothing lightens the mood like a cheeky cutout. Whether it’s a cardboard celebrity ‘making tea’ at the counter or a life-sized reminder to wash up your mug, it adds charm to an otherwise practical space.

Ideas for the break room:

  • A Gordon Ramsay cutout near the microwave reminding everyone not to burn their soup.
  • A company founder enjoying a cardboard sandwich on the sofa.
  • Seasonal or rotating joke cutouts: think “HR watching” during Secret Santa season.

These types of cutouts help reinforce culture without ever needing to say a word.

  1. Hallways and Shared Spaces: Inform, Guide or AmuseCorridors and communal areas are usually overlooked when it comes to design. But they offer valuable real estate for communication and creativity.

Use cutouts as signage, information points, or simply to add a touch of fun during themed weeks in the office or campaigns.

Ideas for shared spaces:

  • Branded cutouts pointing towards key areas like toilets, exits, or meeting rooms.
  • Characters from pop culture aligned with internal campaigns (e.g. a Sherlock Holmes cutout promoting data privacy).
  • A rotating “guest of the week” chosen by staff. This helps everyone participate and keeps things fresh.

These little touches help employees feel more engaged and connected to the workplace.

Why It Works: People Remember the Unusual

In a world where there’s still plenty of bland offices, a full-size cardboard cutout stands out. It tells staff and visitors alike that this is a company that doesn’t just follow the rules: it adds character to them.

Cardboard cutouts aren’t just visual gags. They’re tools for:

  • Building brand personality
  • Helping staff become more engaged
  • Reinforcing your company values in a memorable way

And because they’re lightweight, affordable and recyclable, they’re ideal for modern offices that want flexibility without waste.

Ready to Add Personality to Your Office?

At The Cardboard Cutout Company, we turn your photos into high-quality, life-sized cardboard cutouts, without the white border, and with all the charm. We work fast, keep costs low, and deliver a product you’ll love. Every time.

All you need to do is send us your photo. We’ll handle the rest.