Whether you realize it or not, your workspace and the way you keep your desk or decorate your office says a lot about you.

Technically, if your workspace is on company property, it should reflect the company you work for and the type of work you do. But these days with many of us spending as much time at work as we do at home, it is more acceptable and sometimes necessary for our productivity, that our offices also reflect our personal style.But how do you add a personal touch to your office space without going overboard or offending anyone?

How do you ensure a professional, positive impression and personalize your space at the same time? Here are some tips:

First, consider the overall "tone" of the company you work for. You should be respectful of the existing mood and impression the company is trying to portray when making your decorating choices.

This is especially true if you frequently hold meetings or greet clients in your office. Is your company a formal, serious or conservative business? If so, maybe you should consider starting with a more neutral or conservative wall colors and furnishings. Are you in a creative, more casual field? In this case, it's probably more acceptable to paint your office walls brighter colors or choose more contemporary furnishings.

Sometimes checking out your company's marketing material, the stationery they use or the style of business cards suggest a mood or level or formality and you could also consider the dress code in determining a mood for your office.

Once you have established the general mood of the office, you can begin to personalize things. Be careful. There is a fine line between personal and too personal, which results in, unprofessional. Here are some examples:

Personal One or two small family photos. One or two pieces of art. (paintings, prints or sculpture) A custom, comfortable chair One scented or aromatherapy candle Air freshener A motivational quote or personal mission Statement posted on your bulletin board. Colorful mousepad or interesting screen saver. A fruit bowl or candy dish. A plant or fresh cut flowers.

Unprofessional Personal photo albums or more than three 5x8 photos. Every picture your six-year-old ever drew plastered all over your walls. Throw pillows and afghans. Votive candles throughout the room Strong incense Purple sticky notes and smiley faces and warm fuzzies all over your computer Questionable - lewd or inappropriate as screensavers Cookie jars, left over lunches, bags of open junk food. Dead flowers or ill-potted, neglected plants.

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