Never underestimate the impact the right wall paint can have in a home office. Not only is color an easy way to refresh a lackluster room, but the right paint hue could help increase productivity—after all, some paint colors are believed to have positive psychological effects.
Studies even suggest that certain shades help stimulate your brain, while other hues are said to lower stress levels. “A workspace is all about productivity, so you want to choose paint colors that will keep your energy focused and also have a calming effect,” says Nicole Gibbons, interior designer and founder of Clare. “Even a controlled pop of color in a floral arrangement can spark creativity.”
These expert-approved home office paint colors will help you transform any room into a more productive workspace.
If you’re looking for a classic paint color to coat your home office, try a chocolate brown hue, says Kristina Phillips of Kristina Phillips Interior Design. “Deeper, more saturated paint colors add depth and gravitas, two important elements when conducting business,” she says. And when paired with white trim, your space will have even more of a crisp, tailored look. Consider an option like Benjamin Moore’s Chocolate Candy Brown, shown here.
A bright blue color, like Sherwin-Williams’ Blue Peacock, is another great option. “Especially when working in a creative field, [this] is a sophisticated twist to the standard blue or green,” says Phillips. “And this notable color makes for a great Zoom background.”
If you have trouble focusing while working from home, paint your office in a rich, comforting shade of beige-gray to help stop your mind from wandering, says Sue Wadden, director of color marketing at Sherwin-Williams. “Fawn Brindle SW 7640 is a lovely warm gray-beige that will calm the mind and help you focus on the tasks of the day,” she says. “Plus, it goes with everything, so it will fade right into the background behind your other office décor.”
If you’re scared to commit to a dark paint color in a highly trafficked area of your home, an office or study is a great alternative, says Nivara Xaykao, color marketing and development expert at Benjamin Moore. “A dark, muted blue, like Blue Note 2129-30, can really distinguish a workspace and give it a special, luxurious quality that you’ll want to return to,” she says. “Dark colors also provide a great backdrop for computer monitors or TVs because they can both minimize visual distractions, as well as camouflage these media items a bit.”
A little warm white paint goes a long way towards grounding your home office, says Patrick O’Donnell, brand ambassador at Farrow & Ball. “If you want limited visual distraction and a ‘clean’ space, try a warm white such as Orange Coloured White,” O’Donnell says. “This will bring just a hint of warmth to a room, and works especially well if your home office is north facing.”
Warm off-whites, such as Dove Wing OC-18, work great too, says Hannah Yeo, the color marketing and development manager at Benjamin Moore. “[They] are soft and easy on the eyes,” she says. “They also make a great backdrop color to decorate with to spark creativity.”
To set a calming tone for your workspace, paint your home office a subdued shade of muted green, says Erika Woelfel, a color expert at Behr Paint. “Quiet, relaxed hues are soothing and versatile, and most importantly, aren’t distracting,” she says. “A shade like Jojoba (N390-3) will provide a comforting canvas for however you might want to decorate or configure the room.”
Believe it or not, our experts say some shades of pink are more than just pretty to look at. “Warmer hues, such as peach and soft corals, are known to help improve focus and boost concentration and creativity, which is perfect for a home office area,” Gibbons says. “A soft pink like Wing It or even a punchier hue like Pop [both from Clare] can provide an inspiring atmosphere for a home office setting.”
If you have a creative career or are otherwise visually inspired at work, a bold, playful shade of coral pink or peach is a must, says Wadden. “Coral Reef SW 6606 [from Sherwin-Williams] is a vibrant pink that will help keep your energy up throughout the day,” she says. “Simple white accents let the color shine, but it also works well with glamorous gold finishes or toned down with natural woods.”
Bright and stimulating, yellow wall paint is a foolproof way to liven up an uninspired home office. “A yellow hue, like Charismatic [from Behr], is sure to brighten up your workspace,” says Woelfel. “It infuses energy and optimism into a room to enhance creativity.”
Green can be calming and it can also be energizing—something you need when deadlines approach. “A bright, jazzy green, like Alexandrite SW 0060 [from Sherwin-Williams], brings a touch of playfulness to a home office,” says Wadden. “Keep accents neutral, such as gold and silver, or try white décor so the room stays uncluttered.”
If you thought brown walls were boring, then it’s time to think again. A warm brown office can help you stay serene and focused all day long, according to our experts. “Mid-brown tones, like Broccoli Brown [from Farrow & Ball], are calming,” O’Donnell says. “And [they] can focus the mind on the important tasks at hand.”
For an eye-catching wall color that will also help you stay calm and collected throughout the day, look no further than a fresh shade of blue. “If your job requires long stretches of focused time, choose a clean, fresh blue hue, like Nairobi Blue [from Clare],” Gibbons says. “Blue is universally known as a productive color that can help you stay calm, thus helping you to remain focused on the task at hand.”
Dreaming of a cool-toned home office but can’t decide between a calming blue palette or an invigorating shade of green? “A coastal blue-green, such as Dragonfly [from Behr] creates a soothing sanctuary for productivity and mindfulness,” Woelfel says. “If you aren’t ready to use this color on the walls, consider painting a bookshelf instead.”
Why settle for regular paint when you can have a whole dry-erasable wall instead? “Make an entire home office wall a dry erase board by painting a clear coat of Notable Dry Erase Paint [from Benjamin Moore] over your choice of wall color,” says Yeo. It’s the ultimate option if you share your workspace with your kids.
