Working from home is projected to continue to increase through 2022 and beyond. Global Workplace Analytics believes that 25-30% of the workforce is currently working from home.
Whether you work from home part-time or full-time, having a comfortable and productive workspace is essential. While the physical setup of your home office is vital, color is another critical element to consider.
Color has a significant impact on mood and productivity, so choosing the right paint colors is vital. Color psychology has been used for years to influence customers and employees. Studies have shown that the right paint colors can substantially improve your home office environment. Whether you have a room dedicated to work or use a dual-purpose space, using the research behind color psychology can boost your mood and productivity.
How to Choose the Right Paint Color For Your Home Office
Before choosing a paint color, ask yourself a few questions.
1. What’s the primary use for your home office?
Do you have a room dedicated solely for use as a home office? How much time do you spend in your office each day? Is it used primarily for computer work or some other type of work?
2. Is it a dual-purpose space?
Is your home office doing double duty as a guest room? Is your office a nook or corner within your living room or primary bedroom? Is your office located in a finished basement along with the family entertainment center?
3. What type of work do you do?
Do you need to be able to concentrate for long periods? Do you spend a lot of time on telephone calls or Zoom meetings? Does your work involve creativity and design?
The type of space you have and the type of work you do are the most important considerations for selecting a paint color. If your home office is within a dual-purpose room, you will likely need to choose a paint color that complements your home’s overall style. On the other hand, if you have a separate room dedicated to work, you can make color selections based solely on your work needs.
How Different Colors Impact Mood and Productivity
Blue
Blue has a relaxing effect and helps concentration. If you have a high-stress job, a light blue-gray paint color can promote a sense of calm and tranquility.
Green
Green represents growth and renewal. Muted shades of green are calming and relaxing, making them a good choice for stressful jobs.
White
If you’re someone who doesn’t like distractions, a rich off-white paint color could be ideal. White signifies freshness and efficiency. Creamy off whites are easy on the eyes and give a small office space a fresh light feel.
Gray
Gray provides a background that works well with any style, just like white and off-white paint colors. Gray can cut out distractions and create a suitable environment for many types of work.
Yellow
Yellow is a bright, lively color that signifies energy and light, making it a good choice for work that requires creativity and optimism. Whether your office has lots of natural light or is in a dimly lit room, yellow can lighten the mood.
Red
Red is a stimulating color that can be useful in a work setting where a quick pace is desirable. Too much exposure to red can create feelings of irritability, increasing the potential for mistakes. Four red office walls may feel overwhelming and stress-inducing but a muted red accent wall can be energizing.
Additional Considerations: Tone, Intensity, and Finish
The most important thing to consider when selecting paint colors is not the actual color but the tone. Yellow can be soft and pale or a screaming neon. One inspires creativity, the other irritates, but they are both still yellow.
A pastel shade of any color is more soothing and boosts tranquility, productivity, and creativity. High saturation colors can provide an energy boost but be overwhelming in large doses.
The texture or finish of your walls also influences the impact of your color choice. Glossy, shiny surfaces increase light and energy levels. A matte finish brings a calming effect, which may be what you want in your office environment.
Final Thoughts
The best colors for your home office need to meet your needs for a workspace and a living space unless you have a room dedicated solely to work. With many homeowners having dual-purpose areas, choosing a color that complements the rest of the home is a good idea.
The most calming colors for workspaces are blue and green. Light blues and greens can promote a feeling of relaxation, safety, and stability. If stress reduction is the goal, a light blue or green is a good choice.
When in doubt, creamy whites and light grays are neutrals that make good options for office walls. They make an ideal backdrop for art and other furnishings. Painting three walls with a light neutral color and adding a colorful accent wall can give a home office a fresh modern look.
Once you’ve narrowed down your color selections, try them out. Painting large samples on a white poster board is an easy way to see how colors appear around a room. Natural and artificial light can dramatically impact the appearance of color, so viewing paint samples at different times throughout the day is a good idea.
If you’re still not sure what is best for your home office, an experienced painting contractor will be able to help you make the right choices when it comes to colors and finishes.
Trust the Local Painting Professionals
When it’s time to update your home, call Mr. Mole’s Painting. We specialize in residential painting and cabinet painting. Our professional painters can update your home office with a fresh coat of paint quickly and efficiently.
Mr. Mole’s Painting LLC provides residential and commercial painting services. We offer in-person and virtual quotes for your convenience. Contact us today at (218) 255-7168 to discuss your needs.