If you host clients or coworkers in your office, interesting artwork, an unusual plant, or an aquarium can provide a conversation starter and help your guest feel comfortable. Your decorations can also tell your guests a lot about you personally--so be careful about the subtle messages you send.

Your decorations can also tell you a lot about your guests. Pay attention to which accessories catch the eye of a guest, and what he or she says about them.

Above my office entry door is a small engraved sign, "Ovner Na Wyr Ovn." It blends into the wall; so, I'm always interested to see which guests even notice it. Those are people who pay attention to detail. Over the years, many guests have noticed the sign, but only two could translate it. One was a fan of fantasy fiction; the other was Welsh. In less than 5 minutes, that sign has helped me learn a lot about first-time visitors.

The walls are a great place to add color and inspiration. On the practical side, you’ll probably want to hang a cork board somewhere, so you can tack-up notes and business cards. A nice picture calendar comes in very handy for checking dates. Posters and artwork add color to your walls. Choose wall art that relaxes and inspires you. Photos of family and friends are ok, but don’t overdue it, especially if you have co-workers or clients coming to your office. Though you’ve got more decorating freedom than you’d have with a cubby hole in a traditional workplace, don't overpersonalize.

Suncatchers and dreamcatchers can look nice hanging in a window, and suncatchers can cast nice colors. Just be sure they don't cast colors or shadows onto your work area, where they can be more distracting than enjoyable.

Plants give life to an office, even if they're silk. If you enjoy plants and flowers, go ahead and add a few to your office. Don't turn your office into a jungle; and, if you opt for silk plants, keep them clean.

Hanging things. I've got a teeny windchime hanging from the pullchain on my ceiling light. It's above one corner of my desk; but, guests still manage to bump it constantly. If you like mobiles hanging plants, or windchimes, be sure you hang them where they won't be in the way. 

Chotchkas and goodies. Think carefully as you add desktop decorations. You’ll be working on and cleaning your desktop. While it’s nice to keep a few mementos around, don’t over-clutter your workspace with them.

TV, Radio, Stereo. Your office is not an entertainment center! It’s ok to have a TV, radio, or stereo system in your office, but not if it distracts you. Your desk should be the focal point of your office; your entertainment units should fade into the background…like the entertainment they provide.

Pets. I love animals! I share my office with my four poodle pups. Their beds are carefully tucked under my desks, and in one corner of the room I’ve got their food and water dishes. My pups are with me, but not in my way. They greet my office guests upon arrival, then retreat to their beds. Before I had pups, I kept an aquarium in my office. On stressful days, a few minutes watching the fish swim around relaxed me. Pets are ok in your home office, but not if they distract you. Also, have a contingency plan for relocating your pets, when you have a guest who doesn’t share your love for them—or is allergic to them.