9 home office colour schemes to inspire productivity
When designing and decorating your working-from-home space, you need to carefully consider the colours you’re going to use and what your overall home office colour scheme is going to look like.
Colour has a lot of power. And depending on what shades you choose to surround yourself, the space will have a different effect on your mood and state of mind. This is especially important when it comes to home office ideas as this is a room where you need to focus on the task at hand and be productive. And picking the right colours can help you with that. On the other hand, going for the wrong hues can have the exact opposite effect.
‘Colour can have a strong influence on our concentration and ability to focus,’ says Kathryn Lloyd, Crown colour specialist. ‘With that in mind, choosing the right shade for a home office is key to ensuring productivity.’
Home office colour schemes
Using colour psychology in interior design is one of the smartest ways to create a home that works for you – and not just on an aesthetic or a practical level, but also an emotional one.
‘Colour choice in a home office is hugely important; you’re creating an environment that should keep you calm, focused, and motivated, often for hours at a time,’ says Tash Bradley, director of interior design at Lick and author of Master the Art of Colour, available from Amazon. ‘Colour affects your mood, your energy levels, even your productivity. So choosing the right shades can make the difference between feeling inspired and feeling distracted or drained. It’s not just about aesthetics, it’s about psychology and wellbeing.’
She adds, ‘For home offices, I always think about function first, then feeling. You want shades that support focus and mental clarity, but also make you feel comfortable and at ease.’
1. Pair sage green with beige
(Image credit: Future PLC/Tim Young)
Both green and beige can work in a home office on their own, without the accompaniment of the other. But if you’re for creating a more complex home office colour scheme then sage green and soft beige are among the most complementary of shades.
‘Combining Lick’s Green 02 with Beige 01, creates balance. It’s stimulating enough to keep you productive, but still calm and harmonious. Green 02 is a grounded sage that’s brilliant for reducing stress and encouraging mental clarity. Green is known to be the most restful colour for the eyes, perfect for screen-heavy days. And Beige 01 is a warm neutral that creates a quiet, understated backdrop. Great for layering other colours and textures without distraction,’ Tash at Lick says.
2. Create a soothing, colour-blocking feature
(Image credit: Future PLC/Dominic Blackmore)
One way to incorporate more than one shade of a gradient or complementary colour palette is by creating a colour-blocking scheme on your home office walls. And that’s exactly what Helen Shaw, international director of marketing at Benjamin Moore, recommends.
‘For a modern look, creating a colour-block wall not only adds interest but is an effective tool for zoning a particular area. This works well for a home office where you may want to isolate the desk area itself. Opt for colours within the same colour family at different gradients,’ she advises.
3. Go cheerful and yellow
(Image credit: Future PLC/David Brittain)
Refreshing and light or warm and sunny, yellow will add a burst of colour to your home office walls whatever the tone.
‘Yellow is the brightest shade on the visible spectrum, representing light and positivity,’ says Emily Simmons, creative director at Ruggable. ‘Opting for yellow walls can give a room a feeling of warmth and hope. In addition, yellow symbolises a sharp mind, intellect, and curiosity, which is why it is particularly well-suited for an office or reading room.’
Anna Hill, brand director and colour consultant at Fenwick & Tilbrook, agrees, ‘Yellow has a warm and cheerful nature and is ideal for use in a home office as it can bring in a sense of optimism and creativity. It evokes a feeling of vibrancy without overwhelming the space.’
Wondering what to team yellow in the home office? Natural wood can evoke a warming and autumnal feel. Or, blue can create a sophisticated contrast that adds depth and richness.
‘For the best effect, place these colours strategically and be sure to choose the right shades of blue and yellow. Use muted shades of yellow and deeper tones of blue to create a space that is energising, easy on the eye and set for comfort,’ Anna says.
4. Be creative with coral
(Image credit: Future PLC/Kasia Fiszer)
Uplifting and vibrant, coral offers a shot of dopamine to your working day and is a surefire way to give your home a mood-boosting makeover.
‘Coral is a delightful blend of pink and orange tones that are warming and cosy. It’s ideal for a small, informal office area or a space to have catch-ups with colleagues or clients,’ explains paint and interiors specialist, Sarah Lloyd, at Valspar Paint.
‘Coral pairs well with other warm colours such as gold, yellow, and peach, as well as with cooler shades of white and pale grey.’
The pretty colour makes an ideal shade to gently but surely zone off a workspace in an open-plan area.
‘Make your office a brighter space than the rest of the room. Picture a spotlight shining on your desk and paint a circle of colour that covers the floor around your chair and goes up the walls for a delightfully “zoned” area. Chalk Paint™ can paint anything so you can include your desk chair, your desk, your lamp, and even your bin in the zoning area,’ suggests Annie Sloan CBE, paint and colour expert.
5. Play with blue
(Image credit: Future PLC)
Of all the colours in the rainbow when it comes to home office colour schemes, it has been proven that blue is the most successful for productivity in the home office.
‘As a rule, short wavelength colours, such as blues, are widely thought of as “intellectual” shades as they help to stimulate thought, communication and concentration. Light blues, such as Crown’s Moonlight Bay (available at B&Q), can also promote mental clarity and focus, making them beneficial on those busier workdays,’ Kathryn at Crown says.
She continues, ‘Meanwhile, dark blues, such as Crown’s Abstract Art (available at B&Q) or Midnight Navy (also at B&Q) are really effective in stimulating thought processes, meaning they’re a brilliant choice for working environments. Also, for those that might not have a dedicated room for home working, you can use these shades to create a distinct zone within an open space – for example, by painting half walls or panelling behind a desk.’
6. Soften a scheme with pink
(Image credit: Future PLC/Mary Wadsworth)
While previous years were dominated by bolder shades of pink, owing to the Barbiecore trend inspired by the Barbie movie, these days it’s all about soft and earthy shades of pink in interiors – which also happen to be perfect for a home office.
Tash at Lick suggests a shade like Pink 01, ‘A gentle blush that brings warmth and positivity to a space without overwhelming it. It’s especially lovely in a home office that doubles as a creative or multi-use space.’
7. Bring the outside in with green
(Image credit: Future PLC/James Merrell)
Green is another calming colour that is often associated with nature – so is perfect for bringing the outside in. Melissa Denham, interior design expert from Hammonds Furniture says: ‘Green is the colour of nature and growth, colours like soft olives or sage tones can be a perfect choice for a home office.’
‘Opting for a darker green can make the room feel cosy in the darker months when table lamps are on. When furnishing a green colour scheme, you can match it with whites, creams, oranges and peaches which all complement it well.’
Graham & Brown head stylist and trend specialist, Paula Taylor agrees
‘The herb sage is thought to have calming properties, and it is the same with a lick of sage paint. Transform your home office into a calming oasis with this fresh yet muted hue; partner with pastel shades to evoke playful energy. To add more warmth to north-facing rooms, combine with light yellow, gold and cream accessories.’
8. Ground with earthy shades
(Image credit: Future PLC/Mary Wadsworth)
Warm and inviting, the new neutrals are a favourable choice when you want to hunker down in the home office and it’s cold outside. A cocooning shade of brown will only make you all the more thankful that there is no commute involved in order to get to work.
Style psychologist, Dr Dion Terrelonge teamed up with House of Fraser to explain. ‘These colours may help us to feel grounded thanks to their connection with nature and include terracotta, warm blues, greens, and gentle yellows. When combining colours, think complimentary, rather than contrasting tones’.
Founder and CEO of Studio Dean, Cathy Dean agrees. ‘A brown interior colour scheme is surprisingly versatile and not at all as dramatic as it sounds, as there are so many tones that you can ease into. Opting for a neutral brown base allows you to have versatility in your home.’
9. Keep it crisp with Scandi white
(Image credit: Future PLC)
An all-white home office can sometimes seem sterile but by opting for the best white paint and shade for your given space, you can easily avoid creating this negative effect.
With the right shade of brightening white and a few pops of colour injected via accessories will instantly transform a stark home office into a source of inspiration full of character. You can pick up the office neccessities in these brighter shades using home decor discount codes so your budget gets stretched further.
This method of decorating is Scandinavian formula that never fails, as interiors expert at Contura, Catharina Björkman, explains. ‘Scandi design uses neutral colours, which enhance feelings of calm and create a zen-like environment. But if you like bright colours add them as accents through accessories such as your chair cushion or pen pot. Inspirational art work is also a great way to add a pop of colour and personality to a workspace.’
Crown
Moonlight Bay Matt Emulsion Paint 2.5L
Blue is one of the best colours for a home office – so why not drench your walls in it? We’re particularly fond of this soothing light blue from Crown.
Art Nevaeh
William Morris Yellow Print
There are many ways you can inject colour into your home office – art prints are one of the best. We’ve seen many WFH spaces with framed William Morris prints like this one and it always looks super chic.
John Lewis
Format Compact Desk in Blue
If you’re in need of small home office ideas, this compact but stylish desk from John Lewis is definitely up there. And while it also comes in neutral greige, we’re particularly fond of this chic blue colourway.
Habitat
Ezra Fabric Office Chair in Olive
Finding an office chair that’s both comfortable and stylish is no easy feat. But this in-demand Habitat design with its olive green cord upholstery and on-trend chrome features might just be the answer.
ValueLights
Lark Metal Task Reading Compact Desk Lamp
If you like the idea of a coral hue in your home office but are worried it’s too bold of a colour, you can incorporate it through accessories like this Scandi-style desk lamp from ValueLights.
Lick
Green 02 Matt Paint 2.5L
The experts agree that when it comes to the best green shades for the home office, sage green comes out on top. And Lick’s Green 02 paint is the perfect shade of sage on the slightly darker, cosy side.
FAQs
What’s the most on-trend colour to paint my home office?
Fashionable shades have moved away from the greys and whites (that we saw a lot of in the last few decades) to more warming tones that experts are calling ‘new neutrals’.
‘Earthy tones, work well in office spaces as they bring the feel of the outdoors into your home, creating a welcoming space to spend your day,’ explains Aaron Markwell, lead colour curator at COAT Paints.
What’s the best room for a home office?
According to a survey conducted by Groundworks, the guest room of a property is best suited to convert into a home office. However, as we are not all lucky enough to own extra rooms, the basement came in second. Zoning a space in the living was the third most practical space.
Helen at Benjamin Moore concludes, ‘The working environment is possibly the most complex space to decorate. Depending on the type of work you do and the state of mind you need to be in to be productive, it offers the broadest choice of colours. If you work in a creative sector where you need inspiration and energy you may choose a different suite of colours to someone whose job requires calmness and attention to detail.’
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