If you’re working from home, what color(s) do you have to look at all day besides those that glare from your computer screen? You’d be amazed at how colors can affect your moods and even your productivity.

I thought to do this post as my business partner and I were shopping for paint shades for our new out of home office. (I work out of the home three days a week.) Soon, I’ll be at the store again for our new home office - as my husband prepares to move his office into our yet-to-be-finished basement. (Making way for Baby #2!)

Tips for Choosing the Paint Color for Your Home Office (with the help of Behr’s)

1.) Choose colors that motivate, not distract - especially if you are the type to get easily distracted. Colors that won’t distract include soft, muted colors designed to relax and calm you, which in turn will help you to work.

2.) Keep in mind the colors that motivate you, too. Instead of going the soft color route, choose a brighter color that you feel exudes energy. It’s up to you to decide which colors best motivate you and convey the image you wish to give in your home office. Keep in mind that while brighter colors are stimulating, they often tend to be distracting.

Types of Colors and Hues

Cool Colors - think pale blues, greens and purples that recede into the background and therefore will not distract or disturb. Cool colors also help to quiet nerves and lift spirits.

Warm Colors - think muted tones (not bright) of reds, yellows, and oranges - colors that are active and visual in effect. Warm colors give off cheeriness and invigoration, and provide great spaces for those seeking a stimulating work environment. Warm colors can jump start the mind and spirit.

Green Hues - Green is a natural, restful and rejuvenating color - inarguably one of the best to use in spaces where your main goal is productive thinking and creativity. There are tons of shades of greens, including soft sages, soothing sea greens, deep forest greens, and more. In addition to stimulating thought, greens help promote feelings of balance and harmony.

Whites - Although you may think it’s boring, consider that white represent peace and purity, and can be used to give a more open, spacious feeling to an otherwise small work area. If you do choose white, keep it soft, muted and/or tinted. Bright whites can actually strain the eyes. If white is not your thing - consider using it for trim and moldings, greatly enhancing the color you do choose.

Color preferences vary from person to person. What may work wonderfully in your friend’s home office may not flow so well in your own. The most important thing is that you paint and decorate the home office so that it is somewhere you love to be and a place where your productivity soars.

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Categories: For Your Home Office
Tags: decorate home office, home office, paint your home office, productivity, telecommute, work from home, work from home business, work from home dad, work from home mom, work space