Does your place of work make you feel inspired? Stressed? Sleepy? It can be more than just the pile of papers and clutter on your desk that can affect the way you feel at work. Color and design can also leave you feeling any variety of emotions that could affect your productivity in the workplace.

Of course everyone is different and everyone’s work has a different definition of “productivity,” so in reality there is no one magical color combination that is perfectly suited for a work environment. Pantone.com offers some variables to consider when choosing a color for your space:

• What are the other colors that are present in the area—flooring or carpeting, blinds, chairs, tabletops, etc.?
• What is the color of the widget you are producing and is there just one color or many colors?
• What is the geographic location as that will affect the light in the space?
• How much natural light enters the the area and what direction do the windows face? What is the source of artificial lighting?

Once you have answered these questions for yourself, there are still some other general color rules to keep in mind:

• While most people consider yellow a happy color for its cheerful reminder of the sun, it’s really used best in small doses. However, yellow is very effective on safety or warning signs and in advertising or for giving directions.

• White is the cleanest looking color, which is why it is a popular choice for hospitals and other environments that stress cleanliness. If you are going to use white in your office, be sure to add some punches of accent colors to add some visual interest.

• Cool colors like light blue and sage green tend to promote calmness, as they evoke thoughts of the ocean and sky. These colors work well in places such as law offices, public areas and counseling services.

• Warm colors such as red/orange combinations can really wake up a tired, boring room. For attention to detail, these colors keep the mind alert and stimulated.

If you have no say in the color choice for your workplace, you can still add in personal touches like artwork and posters that inspire you. Put them in a prominent place where you can focus on them while you are working. If you would like some assistance picking out the right color for your workplace, stop in to your local Hirshfield’s to talk to a color expert.

*Colors on computer screen should only serve as a guide. Actual paint colors may look slightly different.