Color Palettes

Home office color palettes

If you work from home, your home office needs to help you focus and, often, look good behind you on video calls. These 12 palettes combine shades for walls, desk and shelves, from bright options to library-style spaces.

White and wood

Bright and tidy; ideal for small spaces.

Sage green

Calm; rests your eyes between screens.

Gray-blue

Understated and calm; good for analytical work or writing.

Warm gray and black

Modern; black on the lamp, chair or shelves.

Forest green and leather

Library style; cozy for studies full of books.

Navy blue and brass

Elegant; a navy wall makes a great camera backdrop.

Terracotta and cream

Warm and creative; for design, writing or crafts.

White and yellow

Bright and energizing; yellow in the details or on a small wall.

Beige and olive

Natural and low-key; pairs with plants and natural fibers.

Slate gray

For a focused, distraction-free atmosphere.

Petrol blue and mustard

Full of personality; petrol on the wall, mustard on the chair or a pillow.

Dusty pink and gray

Soft and cozy; good for spaces shared with another room.

Tap a color to copy its hex code. The pencil icon opens the palette in the editor so you can change it.

Mind the wall behind you on camera

The wall behind your chair is what coworkers and clients see. A mid-tone like sage, gray-blue or soft terracotta looks better on camera than pure white, which can make your face look dark. Avoid bold patterns that distract.

Avoid screen glare

Very bright walls or satin finishes facing your screen can reflect and strain your eyes. Use matte finishes and set up your desk so the window is to one side, not behind or in front of the screen.

If your office is part of another room

When your desk is in the bedroom or living room, you can mark off the work area with a different color on a section of wall, a rug or a bookshelf. That visually separates work and rest without any remodeling.

Colors in these palettes

WhiteAlabasterCafé au laitOff-whiteCamouflage greenWhite smokeGainsboroSlate grayCharcoal grayPearl grayWarm grayBlack oliveCoal blackCamelLinenBlue black

Frequently asked questions

What color is best for focus in a home office?

No color guarantees focus, but soft, low-saturation shades like grayish greens and blues tend to feel calmer for long workdays.

What wall color looks best on video calls?

Matte mid-tones like sage green, gray-blue, beige or soft terracotta give you a neutral backdrop that flatters skin tones.

More palettes: Home

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