When it comes to painting a home office, color choice is extremely important. The right colors can boost productivity, creativity and focus, while the wrong colors can have the opposite effect. With so many options to choose from, deciding on a color scheme can be overwhelming. Here are some tips to help you narrow down your options and select the best colors for your home workspace.
Consider the mood you want to create
The first step is deciding what type of mood or atmosphere you want your home office to exude. Here are some popular office color schemes and the vibes they give off:
| Neutral tones like gray, beige or taupe | Calming, soothing, professional |
| Bright white | Clean, crisp, stark |
| Bold primary colors like red, blue or yellow | Energizing, cheerful, creative |
| Earthy tones like greens, browns or terra cotta | Natural, peaceful, rustic |
If you’ll primarily use your office for intense focus work like writing or accounting, aim for colors that are subtle and don’t distract. For brainstorming or creative tasks, energizing bold or bright colors are better suited.
Factor in the purpose of the space
Determine how you plan to use your home office and choose colors that support your needs.
| Video calls and meetings | Soft neutral or blue tones that look professional on camera |
| Reading and research | Off-white or light beige to reduce eye strain |
| Artistic projects | Inspiring colors like vibrant orange or lime green |
| Paperwork | Cream, light gray or muted blues for focus |
Keep in mind that warmer paint colors tend to make spaces feel smaller, while cooler tones open up a room. For a spacious feel in a smaller home office, stick to cool and light colors.
Decide on one main wall color
Most home offices look best with one dominant wall color covering at least three of the four walls. This creates a cohesive and soothing effect. The fourth wall can be an accent wall in a different color for visual interest.
When selecting your main wall color, look for versatile hues that pair well with your existing furniture and decor. Timeless and neutral shades like gray, beige and taupe give you the most flexibility. Bolder main colors like navy blue also work if that aligns with your overall decor scheme.
Add pops of color strategically
While sticking to one main wall color is ideal, that doesn’t mean your office has to be boring. Add excitement by incorporating colorful accents in strategic spots:
- Paint the back wall behind your desk an energizing accent color like citrus orange or lime green.
- Choose a vibrant rug or piece of wall art in bold patterns or eye-catching hues.
- Display decorative objects around your office in an array of bright jewel tones.
- Add flowering plants or ferns in colorful pots for natural pops of color.
These fun splashes of color will liven up your workspace without overwhelming it. Focus the color in functional areas like behind your desk or in your line of sight while working.
Factor in the amount of natural light
The quantity and quality of natural light your office receives should influence your color choice. Here are some tips:
- North-facing rooms with cool, indirect light can handle bolder colors.
- South-facing rooms awash in warm daylight call for cooler tones like blues and grays.
- Dark rooms with little natural light need lighter, brighter colors to compensate.
- Rooms with direct sunlight streaming in should avoid glossy paint finishes which intensify glare.
The goal is to balance out the existing light conditions with paint colors that complement them. Visiting your room at different times of day helps you observe how the natural light shifts.
Test out samples before fully committing
Never choose a paint color based solely on the swatch. Colors look completely different on a large wall compared to a small chip. Buy several pint-sized samples and paint large swaths on your actual office walls. Evaluate how the colors look at different times of day before settling on one. Testing colors in your space is the only way to know if a hue aligns with your goals.
Compare colors to your fixed elements
Before selecting a color, compare swatches to existing elements in your office space like:
- Furniture woods – do the tones complement or clash?
- Countertops and floors – do they mesh well together?
- Tile or wallpaper patterns – do they cohesively match or fight each other?
- Fabrics and textiles – do their undertones harmonize?
Getting these colors to work together creates a pulled-together space. Neutrals typically pair well with most colors, while bold paint colors may compete with strongly patterned rugs or dramatic wallpaper.
Consider the effect on mood and focus
Extensive research has analyzed how office paint colors impact concentration, productivity and mood. Here are some findings:
| Blues | Promote concentration and focus |
| Greens | Improve creativity and idea generation |
| Yellows | Boost optimism but can be distracting |
| Reds | Increase energy but can heighten anxiety |
| Neutrals | Provide minimal distraction |
If you’ll be studying, writing or working on detail-oriented tasks in your office, blue is an optimal choice. But if you mainly brainstorm or develop creative content, green may be a better option for supporting innovative thinking.
Make sure the color is workplace-appropriate
While personal style matters, remember that this is still a workspace, not your living room. Colors that are too bold or distracting may undermine your productivity. If you’ll be video conferencing with clients or colleagues, choose colors that look polished and professional behind you on camera.
Soft neutrals, muted blues, subtle grays and light earth tones are safe bets for a respectable office environment. Save the flashy neon orange or lime green paint for a creative space instead of your primary workspace.
Conclusion
Choosing the perfect color for your home office requires weighing many factors from the mood you want to set to practical considerations like room size, natural light and existing elements. Test out color samples to see how they look on your actual walls at various times of day. Stick to workplace-appropriate hues that align with how you plan to use the space. With some thoughtful planning and experimentation, you can select a color scheme that boosts your productivity and creativity as you work from home.
