Using colors to their best advantage can revitalize your home office. Learn how to select colors and schemes that will motivate you and spice up your workspace.
Colors can be a very powerful part of your home office - they can inspire you, calm you down, or just make you feel at ease. And that can really help motivate you to get down to business! Take care when choosing paint or wallpaper colors in your office, and reap the benefits.
What colors mean
Different hues resonate with people in a certain way. For instance, think about red. A bright red might make you think of lipstick, or hearts/love, or even stop signs. It’s an intense color. Maybe not exactly what you’re looking for in a home office. However, take that shade a little bit darker, to a deep cherry-maroon, and it could make you feel empowered. A rosy pink could liven up your office and give it a feminine flair, while encouraging lightheartedness.
For more information on the meanings of colors, check out Color Wheel Pro.
Use the information as a guideline, and think about your personal association with different colors - there is no right or wrong color if it speaks to you!
Choosing colors that speak to you
Consider the kinds of things you like to accomplish in your home office. If you use the office for paying bills and taking care of household management and family correspondence, maybe you’d like a color that is lively and fun to keep you upbeat. You might choose a light yellow paint, or a wallpaper with bright greens or blues.
If your office is home base for serious business, think about a neutral color, or a bright scheme that will motivate you but not overwhelm the space. A taupe, pale blue, or seafoam green would be calming and unobtrusive. A white-based room with one bright purple or orange accent wall might be just what you need to get moving on that big project.
For elegance and drama, nothing beats pure white.
Making it into a color scheme
Once you have narrowed down the colors that appeal to you, it’s time to make a color scheme. There are different ways to combine colors to make a room look put together. Here are some of your options:
Monochromatic color scheme: this type of color scheme combines varying shades of the same color. For instance, a light blue wall paint, with a slightly more saturated version of the same blue as a trim color. It’s easy to pull off and works well with neutral accessories.
Analogous color scheme: uses colors that are next to each other on the color wheel. That could look like: light pink and dark pink with red, or blues combined with aqua or even purple. Another combination might be warm brown with a cream trim.
Complementary color scheme: This scheme is high on contrast and more dramatic than the monochromatic or analogous options. To find complementary schemes, choose colors that are opposite each other on the color wheel. Pink and green, or blue and yellow are examples of complementary shades. You can choose a darker or lighter version to emphasize one color more than the other - i.e., bright pink and pale green. Not for the shy or conservative!
For other color scheme ideas, visit the ColorSchemer gallery.
Paint options
Color is not the only thing that affects how your office looks. You can use fancy texturizing techniques or plain ol’ eggshell finish paint to add dimension to the space.
Accessorize to pull it all together
Whatever color scheme you decide to use, think about your desk and office furniture as accessories. Make sure that the colors will work together to give the room a coherent look. A stark scheme like black and white might be right up your alley, and brushed metal furniture and filing systems would give the room a modern edge. A warm brown and cream palette, on the other hand, would look great with wood furniture and neutral desk accessories in natural materials. If you choose a light green and off-white look, seagrass baskets for your files and lighter wood furniture will give your office a by-the-beach feel. Bright colors beg for pop-art accessories and mod desks and other furnishings (check out the Jules swivel chair and Vika Manne table top).
The options are endless. Have fun with it, and enjoy your colorful new home office!
