Soothing office colors

The Best Paint Colors for Your Home Office

Caroline Biggs, Freelance Writer portrait

By Caroline Biggs Updated September 29, 2020

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Credit: Courtesy of Benjamin Moore

These expert-approved shades will help you transform any room into a more productive workspace.

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two short stools beneath long desk

Credit: Courtesy of Benjamin Moore

Never underestimate the impact the right wall paint can have in a home office—especially now, when the workspaces in our houses have replaced so many of our office cubicles. 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 have calming effects that can lower stress levels (something we could all use a little more of these days, as we juggle full-time jobs, virtual school, and more). "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."

For this reason, it's important to select a paint color for your home office that actually inspires you. "A home office is likely to be a place you spend a lot of your day in, so it's important to consider colors that you are happy to be around for long periods of time," says Patrick O'Donnell, brand ambassador at Farrow & Ball. "Soothing, earthy colors like greens and blues evoke a feeling of calm if you are looking to reduce stress. While light colors, such as warm whites, are great if you want to create a room free of distraction. "

Not sure what shade to paint your own home office? We reached out to a few of our favorite color experts for advice. From calming browns and greens to stimulating yellows and beyond, these are the hues that will help create your idea work environment.

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Warm Gray-Beige

gray office space

Credit: Getty / imaginima

If you have trouble focusing while working from home, Sue Wadden, Director of Color Marketing at Sherwin-Williams, suggests painting your office in a rich, comforting shade of beige-gray to help stop your mind from wandering. "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."

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Dark Blue

floor to ceiling navy blue wall shelving book case with yellow couch

Credit: Jennifer Hughes

If you're scared to commit to a dark paint color in a highly-trafficked area of your home, Nivara Xaykao, Color Marketing and Development Expert at Benjamin Moore, says an office or study is a great alternative. "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 explains. "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."

Navy also fits into this category: It's a neo-neutral that's every bit as versatile as it is refreshing. "A warm navy, like our 2020 Color of the Year, Naval, is rooted in nature and creates a meditative atmosphere for maximum productiveness," Wadden says.

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Warm White

plaid chair at wooden desk in home office

Credit: Haris Kenjar

A little warm white paint goes a long way towards grounding your home office. "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.

Hannah Yeo, the color marketing and development manager at Benjamin Moore, agrees: "Warm off-whites, such as Dove Wing OC-18, are soft and easy on the eyes. They also make a great backdrop color to decorate with to spark creativity."

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Earthy Green

earth green office

Credit: Getty / Westend61

To set a calming tone for your workspace, Erika Woelfel, a color expert at Behr Paint, recommends painting your home office a subdued shade of muted green. "Quiet, relaxed hues are soothing and versatile, and most importantly, aren't distracting," she explains. "A shade like Jojoba (N390-3) will provide a comforting canvas for however you might want to decorate or configure the room."

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Soft Pink

shelving-desk-523-d112185.jpg

Credit: Aaron Dyer

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 can provide an inspiring atmosphere for a home office setting.

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Coral and Peach

Wadden adds to this, noting that 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. "Coral Reef SW 6606 is a vibrant pink that will help keep your energy up throughout the day," she explains. "Simple white accents let the color shine, but it also works well with glamorous gold finishes or toned down with natural woods."

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Yellow

modern office with yellow accent wall

Credit: Getty / poligonchik

Bright and stimulating, yellow wall paint is a foolproof way to liven up an uninspired home office. "A yellow hue, like Charismatic, is sure to brighten up your workspace," says Woelfel. "It infuses energy and optimism into a room to enhance creativity. "

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True Green

green office

Credit: Getty / KatarzynaBialasiewicz

Green can be calming and it can also be energizing—something you need when deadlines approach. "A bright, jazzy green, like Alexandrite SW 0060, 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."

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Brown

wooden desk in brown-painted at home office

Credit: Courtesy of Farrow & Ball

If you thought brown walls were boring, then it's time to think again. According to our experts, a warm brown office can help you stay serene and focused all day long. "Mid-brown tones, like Broccoli Brown, are calming," O'Donnell explains, "and can focus the mind on the important tasks at hand."

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Pale Blue

white vase of greenery atop blue book case

Credit: Courtesy of Clare

If you're looking 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," 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."

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Blue-Green

blue green office space

Credit: Getty / Westend61

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 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."

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Dry Erase Paint

home office with plants and dry-erase wall

Credit: Courtesy of Benjamin Moore

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 over your choice of wall color," says Yeo—it's the ultimate option if you share your workspace with your kids, who might need the wall for virtual school.

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25 Best Office Paint Colors

Pale Oak by Benjamin Moore

Now 71% Off

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“A pale green, like Benjamin Moore’s Pale Oak, is easy on the eyes and helps keep stress levels down. An office can often be a place that is tense, so counteracting that with a restful tone can be just what you need.” —Marika Meyer of Meyer Interiors

Hague Blue by Farrow & Ball

Now 72% Off

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“We love a dark, bold color for an office wall, trim, and ceilings. Using a deeper tone helps distinguish the room the minute you step foot inside and close the door behind you. It feels cozy.” —Julie Massucco Kleiner of Massucco Warner

Lichen by Farrow & Ball

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“I once read that olive green is the traditional color of peace. I can’t think of a place more in need of peace than a coworking space designed for a family with teenagers!” —Marika Meyer

Dead Salmon by Farrow & Ball

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“This is one of my favorite colors of all time, and not just because of its fantastic name. It’s a great choice for an office due to its mellowing effect. It’s not too pink but also not too fleshy and looks great with aged wood and modern materials.” —Bella Zakarian Mancini of Bella Mancini Design

Hale Navy by Benjamin Moore

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“Blue is always a go-to color, but it really sets the tone in the office. On the one hand, blue is thought of as a calming, peaceful color, and darker shades are also associated with intelligence and strength. If you want an office that inspires deep thoughts and concentration, Hale Navy by Benjamin Moore is a great choice. ” —Marika Meyer

Nickel by Benjamin Moore

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“Nickel by Benjamin Moore is a light gray with blue hues that’s perfect for a home-office space. The lightness of the color produces a calming and peaceful aesthetic. The blue hues stimulate the mind, increase productivity, and help you stay focused! Who doesn’t like to be calm and focused when it comes to work?” —Nina Magon of Contour Interior Design

West Coast by Benjamin Moore

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“I love this shade—it’s warm and clean at the same time. Blue is the easiest color to live and work with, and along with the reflective quality of a glossy finish, it helps bring the outdoors inside.” —Caroline Rafferty of Caroline Rafferty Interiors

Studio Green 93 by Farrow & Ball

“This deep, dark green, in either a matte or satin finish, will bring a dramatic mood to any home office. It is a true Renaissance color! The rich, saturated pigments respond extremely well to all types of light and remarkably emerge much greener than on the color card. Since green is the color of growth, life, and renewal, an office clad in this hue will promote calmness, harmony, a strong sense of balance, reassurance, safety, and productivity.” —Keita Turner of Keita Turner Design

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Pointing by Farrow & Ball

“We used Pointing by Farrow & Ball in our own office. It is one of my favorite off-whites and acts like a fabulous Instagram filter. It gives your room that perfect warm glow that you only get with natural sunlight.” —Alyssa Kapito of Alyssa Kapito Interiors

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St. John Blue by Benjamin Moore

“The color is deep but not too overwhelming, as we needed a great base to work from in a creative office! One might think that too much color in an office space would be distracting, but it’s actually more inspiring and motivating, while the deep blue of this hue is simultaneously relaxing and tranquil. ” —Kati Curtis of Kati Curtis Design

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what colors in the interior increase efficiency?

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April 18, 2017

Comfortable furniture, an eco-friendly computer and thoughtful lighting are not enough to create a comfortable working environment. One of the most important visual informants and stimuli is color. The color scheme plays a huge role in shaping the well-being and mood of a person. That's why it's so important to choose the right color for the office we're in all day long. This color should not be too bright to distract from work, but also not too calm to let us fall asleep.

An office is a place where people work. This means that the main task of the color scheme of the interior of your office is to help create a working environment. Stimulate activity, reduce fatigue, increase mindfulness and concentration, reduce nervous tension. We have prepared some interesting and useful information, and we hope you find it useful.

Five main rules when choosing an office color:

The right color of the walls in the office not only sets the employees in a working mood, but also attracts new customers and partners. Psychologists are convinced that color is able, on a subconscious level, to "force" a partner to sign a contract on the terms that you offer.
Three golden principles for choosing colors for painting/decorating walls: area, number of windows, amount of light.
The color of the walls should: match the overall interior, not contradict the wishes of management or employees, not contrast with furniture, take into account the peculiarities of the impact on psychological health.
Bright colors excite the nervous system too much and interfere with concentration, while variegation can cause headaches.
Cold shades contribute to concentration, and the whole color palette of green has a positive effect on vision.

Below are some specific recommendations for using a particular color in your office interiors.

Gray and other neutral colors

The tradition of painting offices in neutral colors was born by itself. Gray, white, beige - a considerable number of cabinets around the world are painted in these calm colors. Gray suits are also prescribed by a mass of strict office dress codes. And now, attention! Gray color demotivates, makes employees passive. And beige and white make employees, and especially employees, feel sad and depressed. As for male employees, orange and purple, which are far from neutral, also have a similar effect on them.

Yellow

Here the opinions of scientists are divided. Some say yellow is great. Everyone will look at him, enjoy life and be creative. Others argue that it cannot be worse, your eyes will get tired of yellow even before you start work, and it will be impossible to concentrate at all. Scientists can argue further, but it seems to us that everything is quite obvious: if you plan to be creative and give birth to new ideas - paint the walls yellow, if you are going to focus and concentrate - choose a different color!

Green

A green-painted office is the dream of every workaholic. This color does not tire the eyes, and, in fact, it does not tire you either. But it calms and helps to focus. Also very good for reading. So if you have to sit for a long time checking documents written in small print, green will help you control yourself, not be annoyed by monotonous work and not lose concentration.

Blue

In the ranking of the most successful colors for the office, blue confidently shares the first place with green. It helps not to lose concentration and, like green, does not tire. For anyone who has to work with numbers or small details, this is what you need. The main thing is not to confuse it with blue and gray.

Brown

Oddly enough, brown did not fall into the "dull" group along with its companion, gray. On the contrary, scientists believe that this color can create a feeling of safety and security. So if you sell, for example, insurance, or the services of a security company, then brown will help convince customers that everything will be fine with you.

Red

Red can also help creatives. It enhances emotionality and expressiveness, almost like yellow promotes creative activity, and in general invigorates. The latter, by the way, can also help those whose work is associated with physical labor. True, along with cheerfulness, red increases aggressiveness, so it is better not to paint the negotiation room in this color. And also know - if you decide to paint it in red open space (open space) - everyone will always eat something in it, because red stimulates the appetite. With red, everything is too ambiguous to paint the entire office. But we still recommend using it in the interior.

We will separately touch on the most favorable color solutions for open space offices.

"Spread" the walls and visually enlarge the space in a densely populated and noisy due to conversations and buzzing of the open space technique will help light cold tones - pearl, water-green. And the colors of the "quiet" range will help to change the perception of noise - unsaturated cold ones: light blue, gray-blue. A calm range of pastel colors will reduce fatigue from crowds.

So, when choosing an office color, you should not be guided only by personal tastes and preferences. Color is a complex and multifaceted factor. Color in the office can solve many problems, but when used ill-conceived, on the contrary, it can create them. Ergonomic knowledge will help you choose the right color so that a good mood does not leave you, work is successful, and relationships in the team are harmonious.

Let us remind you that when renting offices in the Nobel and Nobel Park business centers in Tyumen, we are ready to offer not only painting the walls in any of your chosen colors, but also help in developing a design project for your office. Ask any questions about renting to the managers of our company by phone +7 (3452) 566-366 or fill out the form below and we will contact you.

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How the color of your office walls influences your desire to work

Photo by Global Look Press

13:12 May 27, 2015

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13:12 May 27, 2015

Here, scientists have found that if you somehow do not work well in the office, it is quite possible that the walls are to blame.
Or rather their color. So rather read what is there with your office: it will help you in your work or, conversely, drive you into a severe depression.
Studies have shown that 17% of office workers are more likely to contemplate the walls drying with fresh paint than going to a meeting. And the truth is, no one needs meetings in such a number. Half can be safely cancelled. As for the paint - this is quite an idea - instead of a couple of meetings, you can take and repaint the office. After all, the walls of your office are much more important than some kind of meeting there? In fact, what is the use of the meeting? An extra half hour of sleep? And the color of the office walls, as it turned out, will affect productivity and your desire to work for many years. So gather your strength and colors - and run to paint the office. Well, or if you are too lazy - just take this text to the boss, let him be impressed too and hire specially trained people for this business. And of course, you can relax at home for a couple of days while your office is being painted.

Gray and other neutral colors

Written by Global Look Press

The tradition of painting offices in neutral (feel free to read as dull) colors was born by itself, well, apparently, so as not to irritate the eye once again. Gray, white, beige - a considerable number of cabinets around the world are painted in these calm colors. And gray suits are also prescribed by a mass of strict office dress codes. And now, attention, surprise! Gray completely demotivates, makes employees passive. And beige and white make employees, and especially employees, feel sad and depressed. As for male employees, orange and purple, which are far from neutral, also have a similar effect on them. In general, you understand what paint should be left in the store.

Yellow

Written by Global Look Press

At this point, the scientists were a little torn apart by the conclusions made. Some say yellow is cool. Everyone will look at him, enjoy life and be creative to the fullest. Others argue that it cannot be worse, your eyes will get tired of yellow even before you start work, and it will be impossible to concentrate at all. Well, they can continue to argue, but it seems to us that everything is quite obvious: if you plan to be creative and produce new ideas - paint the walls yellow, if you are going to focus and concentrate - do not paint!

Green

By Global Look Press

An office painted green is the dream of any workaholic or someone who is forced by their boss to sit in the office for days. This color does not tire the eyes, and, in fact, it does not tire you either. But it calms and helps to focus. Also very good for reading. So if you have to pore over documents written in small print for a long time, green will help you control yourself, not get mad from monotonous work and not lose concentration. Look how the guy in the picture is shining, for sure it's all because of the green walls, or he just liked the blonde, or he is now told on the phone that his bonus this month will be a couple of million dollars. But, most likely, it's still because of the green!

Blue

Author: Global Look Press

In the ranking of the best colors for the office, blue confidently shares the first place with green. It helps not to lose concentration and, like green, does not tire. For everyone who has to work with numbers or small details, this is exactly what you need. The main thing is not to confuse it with blue (this is the darker one) or gray (this is the color of an office suit, from which everyone will become depressed).

Brown

Written by Global Look Press

Oddly enough, brown didn't make it into the dull group with its fellow gray. On the contrary, scientists believe that this color can create a feeling of safety and security. So if you sell insurance, for example, or the services of a security company, then brown will help convince customers that everything will be fine with you.

Red

Written by Global Look Press

It would seem like you have to go crazy to paint your office red. No, it really did. Red can also help creatives. It enhances emotionality and expressiveness, almost like yellow promotes creative activity, and generally invigorates. The latter, by the way, can also help those whose work is associated with physical labor. True, along with cheerfulness, red also increases hostility, so perhaps do not paint the negotiation room in this color. And also know - if you decide to paint open space with red - everyone will constantly nibble something in it, red stimulates the appetite. Well, you understand that everything is too ambiguous to paint the entire office. So if you are not a maniac-killer, not a member of the communist party, it is better not to paint all the walls. But you can apply red in the corner where the coffee machine was, the workers will come, watch and cheer up without any coffee.

Now you can apply our color perfection range to your office and decide how much it helps you in your work. If suddenly an assistant from him is so-so, it is urgent to repaint it.
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