How to add colour to a home office

Home offices might be the most practical room in your home (and the one where you know you need to get your head down!), but that doesn't mean you have to compromise on your style and design choice.

Whether you use your office for your work, life admin or arts and crafts, there are several colour schemes that are the perfect fit for the space. The usual colour rules apply - small spaces should be kept light and bright - but prints, clashing colours and personality can all be injected into your office.

It's easy when you know how...

1/10 Soft green office

Create a calm and collected space to work in by teaming soft green walls with natural wooden furniture. The glossy pot plants and flowing curtains complete this nature-inspired look. A console table can double up as a desk to create an office area in smaller rooms.

2/10 Green feature board

Create a clear zone for working in by using blocks of colour. Especially effective in clean, neutral rooms, using a board that has been papered or painted on top of your desk will allow you to change your colour scheme as often as you like - great if you're renting.

3/10 Painted blue desk

If you'd prefer not to focus on your walls to add a splash of colour, why not turn your furniture into a feature instead? Try upcycling a desk with bold coloured paint, like this teal pine desk finished with patterned wallpaper and a glass top.

4/10 Blue patterned dresser

Scraps of wallpaper can be used to transform your home office furniture. Try using strips of brightly-coloured paper to line the back of shelving for a fun and colourful new look that can be achieved in an afternoon.

5/10 Neutral office with feature blind

Try using colour in unusual places for a quirky look in your home office. Keep the rest of the room clean and neutral to let your chosen feature stand out, like this red feature blind.

6/10 Light lilac office room

Choose a favourite colourful accessory, like this purple bird painting, and theme your room around it. The light lilac walls and tonal purple accessories work harmoniously in this traditional home office.

7/10 Organised office with coloured files

Liven up a mundane area, such as filing shelves, by placing your magazine files in blocks of bold colour, making finding what you need easier and brightening the whole room.

8/10 Indigo office

If you don't want to create just one feature with your chosen shade why not go for a bold statement look and saturate your office with one colour? Create interest by using complementing tones and quirky accessories.

9/10 White office with bright accessories

Create a fresh and vibrant look by keeping your background colour clean and neutral, then adding lots of bright and bold primary colour accessories. Team with a dark wooden floor for a New York loft feel.

10/10 Yellow and grey office area

Use soft, complementing tones to create a romantic, country-style look. This pastel yellow works in harmony with the soft grey furniture to create a relaxed space in which to work.

Get more advice on how to add colour to every room in your house with our Colour Week special. Find out what your favourite colour says about you by watching our video.