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The appearance of a church office can foster productivity and make guests feel comfortable. Or it can do just the opposite.

When facilities are old and budgets are tight, church-office decor may be low on a priority list. Nevertheless, there are certain principles you can follow to make your office a pleasant place.

Good decorating incorporates four basic components:

1. Unity. A room should maintain the same style throughout. Avoid mixing styles. You should not feature a rustic look on one side of the room and a southwestern style on the other.

2. Balance. Spread furniture around the office; do not push all the chairs in one corner and leave the rest of the room empty.

3. Emphasis. Every room should have a focal point. The attention-getter could be your desk. Tasteful emphasis eliminates the visual overload produced when excess items scream for your attention. Example: One large picture is better than many small ones.

4. Rhythm. Repeat patterns that are harmonious. This can be done by using similar materials, coordinated color tones, or prints with evenly spaced features. Similar patterns create continuity. Even-spaced patterns produce a calm, relaxed mood.

You should decorate your office in a way that helps people feel comfortable, conveys a professional atmosphere, and shows forethought and organization. That means, do not cover the walls with lists and announcements, do not allow piles of papers to accumulate on your desk. Do not let your space take on the look of an office supply store or computer outlet.

When you're ready to decorate, here are some additional tips on how to make your office look fabulous.

Choose the right colors. A simple coat of paint will enhance the office's appearance if you choose the right colors. Neutral colors create a roomy feeling because they recede, making walls and furniture look farther away than they actually are. Blues and greens with white create an open look that's relaxing and comforting. Romantic colors such as pinks, roses, lavenders, and purples should not be used as primary wall colors in an office, but can be used as accents. Orange, red, and fluorescent colors are considered aggressive. To avoid monotony, add visual interest to neutral walls with sponge painting or other texturizing techniques and include nubby upholstery.

Find the right wallpaper. Different wallpaper patterns create different effects. Vertical lines visually raise the ceiling because they draw the eye up. Narrow stripes create the tallest but least obtrusive effect. Horizontal lines widen a room. A wallpaper border placed slightly below the ceiling tends to lower it visually; placed mid-wall at chair-rail height, it can serve as a divider between two paint colors or wall textures.

Floral wall coverings are rarely the best choice for a church office because they tend to be feminine rather than gender-neutral. They also create the look of a dining room.

Other hints: Textured wallpaper covers bumps and flaws. Papering just one wall adds interest depth to a room. Chair rails and molding add character.

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