These 10 Paint Ideas Set the Mood for Your Home Office

Inject personality or establish an attitude with your wall color choice

By
Ashley Knierim
Photo of Ashley Knierim
Ashley Knierim

Ashley Knierim is a home decor expert and product reviewer of home products for The Spruce. Her design education began at a young age. She has over 10 years of writing and editing experience, formerly holding editorial positions at Time and AOL.

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Updated on 07/27/21
Decorated home office with yellow painted walls, wooden office desk and green chair

The Spruce / Almar Creative

Depending on your profession, your home office should be a place of motivation and productivity. You can also make it your private place for tranquility and zen. Or, if you prefer sophistication, color can help tie that into the room. No matter your style, paint is one primary way to set the tone for your workspace.

Decor can boost your mood and make you more focused, energized, and less stressed. The right shade also depends on the type of work you are doing in your office. If you're a numbers person, a calming and motivating color is best; meanwhile, a writer or other creative type may want to pick a shade that evokes creativity.

  • Color Family: Varies; colors span the spectrum
  • Complementary Colors: Varies; neutrals generally go with almost everything
  • Pairs Well With: Neutrals; dark and light woods
  • Mood: Whites and lighter tones evoke an airy, soothing feeling; while darker colors give an air of moody sophistication
  • Where to Use: Home office walls and accent walls

Here are 10 of the best office paint colors.

  • 01 of 10

    Best Black: Sherwin-Williams Tricorn Black

    Sherwin-Williams Tricorn Black swatch

    The Spruce

    Black may not come to mind when you think of your office space, it's a versatile shade that works in almost every room. A rich black like Sherwin-Williams' Tricorn Black casts a moody tone in your office and allows you to shut out the rest of the world and concentrate. This neutral black goes with nearly any color palette and is an excellent choice for a modern, artsy space.

  • 02 of 10

    Best Yellow: The Spruce Wax Pepper

    The Spruce paint swatch in Wax Pepper

    The Spruce

    Yellow is incredibly motivating and sets a happy, positive tone in any space. The Spruce's Wax Pepper is a sunny yellow with a warm gold undertone that will make you more productive but won't feel too bright or overwhelming. It pairs well with white, while black accents also make the yellow pop.

    Invest in high-quality brushes and roller covers if you are painting the room. Cheap, low-quality rollers leave fuzz and lint on the walls, while inferior quality brushes leave streaky brush marks.

  • 03 of 10

    Best Purple: Magnolia Webster Avenue

    Magnolia Paint Webster color swatch

    The Spruce

    One of our favorite choices for a home office is Magnolia's Webster Avenue. This medium dusty purple is reminiscent of a freshly picked berry and lends a soothing, yet-confident tone to your space. Decorating with purple can give you energy but also help keep you calm.

  • 04 of 10

    Best Gray: Sherwin-Williams Repose Gray

    Sherwin Williams Repose Grey SW7015

    The Spruce

    Sherwin-Williams' Repose Gray is a soothing choice that is a little bit moody in the best way. It's a warmer shade of gray that pairs well with bright reds or oranges (to add a little energy to your space) while setting a mellow vibe.

    Continue to 5 of 10 below.
  • 05 of 10

    Best Off-White: Farrow & Ball Pointing

    Farrow & Ball Pointing paint swatch

    The Spruce

    If you want to keep things minimal and modern, a white that doesn't feel overly stark or too warehouse-y is an excellent choice. Pointing from Farrow & Ball is a rich off-white that's creamy enough to give you a sense of calm but still bright enough to open up a smaller office space. The manufacturer nests this color in its red-based neutrals and says it is named after the color of lime pointing used in traditional brickwork. It pairs well with bright white trim.

  • 06 of 10

    Best Blue-Gray: Sherwin-Williams North Star

    Sherwin-Williams North Star paint swatch

    The Spruce

    A soft blueish gray like Sherwin-Williams' North Star is a lovely choice for anyone that needs a daily reminder to breathe and focus during the job. This cool, foggy gray pairs beautifully with stark whites or darker navy shades.

  • 07 of 10

    Best Green: Clare Current Mood

    Current Mood by Clare paint swatch

    The Spruce

    Whether you work with money or want a little reminder that payday is coming, green is an excellent choice for office spaces. A color like Clare's Current Mood is earthy and bold and is a top pick for anyone with boss aspirations. It's stately, dramatic, and sets a tone of leadership and power.

  • 08 of 10

    Best Red: The Spruce Persimmon Orange

    Spruce Paint color swatch in Persimmon

    The Spruce

    Need a little pick-me-up on those groggy mornings when work is the last thing on your mind? A shade like The Spruce's Persimmon Orange is a beautiful choice for an office accent wall. Orange is incredibly mood-boosting and gives off incredible energy, but this shade won't overpower or blind you. It's a reddish-orange that would look lovely with beige or off-white.

    If you're doing the painting yourself, do not skimp on the blue painter's tape; apply it liberally around window frames, door frames, baseboards, and the edge between the ceiling and the wall. It will give your paint job a professional look.

    Continue to 9 of 10 below.
  • 09 of 10

    Best Navy: Sherwin-Williams Salty Dog

    Salty Dog Sherwin-Williams Paint

    The Spruce

    A rich color like Sherwin-Williams' Salty Dog is a great choice for an office space with ample color. Blue has been shown to affect your mind, motivating you to be a little more creative. This shade has a bold blue tint but is moody enough to feel regal and important in your office.

  • 10 of 10

    Best Teal: Glidden Capri Teal

    Glidden Capri Teal paint swatch

    The Spruce 

    Glidden's Capri Teal is an ocean-reminiscent color that will add just enough energy to your space without feeling too childish. Teal is relaxing and wistful while simultaneously motivating and inspiring. It matches well with other light blues, light greens, white, or buttery, creamy hues.

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