How to Choose a Paint Color for a Home Office

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By Dorothy Sander
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Paint color for a Home Office

When choosing any paint color for your home, whether it be your living room, bedroom or a home office, there are a few things to consider that may make the process easier for you. In many cases with just a few tips, you can turn a dull and boring room into one you don't mind working in all day.

Here's how to choose a paint color for your home office.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Step 1

How Big is Your Home Office?

CONSIDER THE SIZE OF YOUR OFFICE SPACE

Many homeowners use a small bedroom for their office space. After all that don't need much room for a desk, a computer and a filing cabinet or two. You still want to keep the room feeling roomy and to do this be sure and choose a light color of paint.

Dark paint makes a room feel small and cave like. You may love it at first, but in time a dark color will feel like it is taking over the space.
Step 2

How much natural light does your home office receive?

CONSIDER THE AMOUNT OF LIGHT IN THE ROOM

Like the depth of color, the amount of light will have an impact on how open and airy a room feels or how dark and gloomy. If your home office space has large windows and lots of natural light, you can use almost any light shade. For a relaxing environment use pale colors, but you can use cool or warm colors in a sunny room.

If, on the other hand, your home office receives little natural lighting or it is on the north side of your home, by all means, use a warm color, such as yellow or yellow green or off white with a yellow base. Keep the depth of color very light. Ask for a brochure from your local paint store that contains all of the whites. You will be amazed how much color there is in some white shades.
Step 3

Use Warm Paint Colors with Wood

START WITH A PIECE OF ARTWORK OR FURNITURE

Now that you have decided the depth of color and whether it should be warm or cool, you can now consider the color of your furniture or a piece of artwork you would like to make the focal point of the room.

If you have natural wood furniture, use a warm off white. If, on the other hand you have glass and silver, try something in the light gray for a more modern look.
Step 4

A light airy home office will keep you awake!

The paint color for a home office should not overpower the room, be restful but not put you to sleep. You can't go wrong with an off white, a very pale yellow or a soft green. Take your time to pick a color that you like, after all, you will be spending a good bit of time in the room.