Hollywood offices are some of the most glamorous, high-tech, and fashionable rooms in the world. No, not the offices of actors, studio executives, or film directors – the offices of fictional characters in film and TV! Whether an eccentric billionaire, a high-powered businessman, or an evil genius, the following characters definitely set the bar high for working in style:

10. Iron Man – Tony Stark

 

Eccentric billionaire and high-tech superhero Tony Stark practically lives in his office – and why wouldn’t he? The space strikes a perfect balance between class and comfort. The warm colors and slight clutter make the office inviting, while the clean steel surfaces lend polish and modernity. Abstract art shares wall-space with old-fashioned airplane propellers, and the modern furnishings look as comfortable as they are fashionable. Tony Stark also has arguably the coolest computer of any character on the big screen; the interface is controlled entirely through holographic images that can be manipulated at a touch.

9. American Psycho – Patrick Bateman

Sleek, clean, classy, and cold: These are all words describing both Patrick Bateman and his choices of decor. His home is a display of modern opulence, and his office space is downright enviable. Large and well-lit by the massive windows, the space is made to seem even larger by the cool pale-blue walls. The walls are sparsely but tastefully decorated with framed art, and the office includes the barest essentials for work; it does, however, feature a posh white leather couch. None of Bateman’s personality is displayed in his workspace, but all things considered that’s probably a blessing.

8. Scrooged – Frank Cross

In true Hollywood fashion, Frank Cross’s office is at least three times as big as a real television executive’s office and substantially more posh. The large windows provide a panoramic view of the city skyline, complete with a telescope to enjoy the stars – or to spy on neighboring offices. The dark walls and light floors complement each other, making the space seem even more expansive than it already is. The office is amply furnished in sleek black leather, glass, and hardwood. Best of all, it includes a fully-stocked mini-bar!

7. Inspector Gadget – Dr. Claw

One of the most enigmatic supervillains to ever grace a Saturday morning cartoon, Dr. Claw is very secretive in his affairs. His office reflects that: small, cozy, cluttered, and with minimal decor. The room features wood paneling and a large hardwood desk; the warm colors enhance the close quarters, giving the whole office a rather claustrophobic appeal. Dr. Claw’s high-back office chair provides neck and shoulder support for his long days, and also sports the Malevolent Agency of Destruction (MAD) logo. What really makes Dr. Claw’s office enviable, however, is the quality of his electronics. Every flat surface of the office is host to an array of machines, every one of them keeping tabs on the behavior of his arch-nemesis Inspector Gadget. While the machines look a bit out of date now, when you realize that Dr. Claw was in his prime long before the era of the internet and cloud computing, he was definitely ahead of the technological curve!

6. The Simpsons – Mr. Burns

Mr. Burns’s office is designed to be impressive and intimidating: Huge, with a size amplified by the contrasting colors of the floor rug and the oversized desk and chair. The room is old-fashioned, from its huge green curtains to the taxidermy polar bear standing guard over the desk, but Mr. Burns has modernized his workspace with a wide variety of extra features, including – most notoriously – trap floors which can be triggered with the push of a button.

5. Batman – Bruce Wayne

As both a millionaire and a superhero, Bruce Wayne has two personas to keep up, and accordingly his office does double-duty. At turns classic and modern, his workspace sports a variety of high-tech electronics and classical furnishings set off by white marble floors. Wayne Enterprises is also an ideal location for social engagements and corporate galas. As an added bonus, the building has a unique skyline silhouette – ideal for catching cape-billowing winds!

4. Harry Potter – Dumbledore

Dumbledore’s office is everything a benevolent genius could need: warm, inviting, cluttered, and full of mysteries. The soft glow of candlelight illuminates the cozy space. The large wooden desk is filigreed and ageless, with rich colors accented in the dark walls and pale stone arches. Floor-to-ceiling bookshelves lend functionality and a splash of color to the classic space, while the brass instruments add character.

3. Tropic Thunder – Les Grossman

“Over the top” describes nearly everything about Les Grossman, including his office. From the numerous pictures of himself to the wall-size fiber-optic emoticon backdrop behind his desk, Grossman’s office screams character. The dark walls offset the light illuminated from the numerous electronics, and the slatted wall divider allows light through while providing total privacy in his workspace.

2. Entourage – Ari Gold

Ari’s had a couple offices over the seven years Entourage was on TV, but the first at TMA was my favourite. Cream and rust complement each other beautifully in Ari Gold’s modern-looking, but cluttered office. The overstuffed couch and armchair provide a comfortable space to meet and share ideas, while the furnishings are all sleek and new. His messy desk and assorted gizmos add character to an otherwise anonymous workspace, and the view from the window is excellent — and made even better by the telescope (which Ari may have borrowed from Frank Cross himself). The mini guillotine is the perfect accessory for Ari’s personality. The second office at MGA, arguably much more updated and simple, lacks personality.

1. Mad Men – Don Draper

Don Draper’s office is simultaneously comforting and a little anonymous, the sort of workspace that photographs beautifully but could be wearisome to work in. The spacious room is made cozier by the dark wood-paneled walls and the dark carpet, while the wood furniture looks just old-fashioned enough to be timeless. The frosted glass walls give the room a sense of privacy without cutting it off entirely from light. The couch looks like a great place to curl up for a midday workplace nap, and with the privacy windows no one would ever catch you snoozing on the job.

Whether loaded with electronics, furnished with post-modern decor, or adorned with modern art, these offices from the big screen are all larger-than-life and incredibly posh. Each room reflects the character of the individual who works there, and also inspires awe and jealousy among viewers. Similar results can be achieved at home through the careful balancing of colors, the wise selection of texture in furnishings or walls, and the right decoration choices.