Home Office

Picking a Paint Color for the Home Office!

picking a paint color for the home office makeover!

November 19, 2025

I’m Allison.
Design obsessed and self-taught DIYer, I'm so excited to share my journey with you, and be a source of inspiration as well as a resource.
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When it comes to picking a paint color for the home office, the decision carries more weight than you might think. This room isn’t just another space — it’s where ideas grow, projects come to life, and creativity needs the right environment to flourish. After weeks of designing and installing chair-rail and box trim, and adding dentil crown molding, the architectural foundation of the room is finally complete. Now it’s time for the most exciting part: choosing the paint.

Before settling on a color, I mocked up several wallpaper options and landed on a beautiful vintage tapestry mural. I’ve been wanting a mural in the house for ages, and the office felt like the most natural fit. The tones are muted, elegant, and filled with layered warmth, which inspired three color directions that each brought something different to the space.

Home Office renovation with fresh crown molding, chair rail and box molding and a mock-up of a landscape tapestry mural.
Here’s a mock-up of the the home office with the new wallpaper mural! I’ll be painting first, but this gives us a base to start to visualize the colors.

Here are the three paint colors I seriously considered while picking a paint color for the home office, and why I ultimately chose the one I did.

Option 1: Treron by Farrow & Ball

Picking a paint color for the home office. Home office mocked up with vintage tapestry wallpaper and Treron by Farrow & Ball.
I really love this design! I’m just worried it will be too relaxing for getting work done.

My first instinct was a deep green — specifically Treron by Farrow & Ball, a color I already used in my primary bedroom. When I held the wallpaper against it, the tones paired beautifully. Treron is rich, cozy, and wonderfully complex in north-facing light.

But that’s also where my hesitation began.

I associate Treron with rest, grounding, and unwinding — all perfect for a bedroom, not ideal for a workspace. While it technically works, it doesn’t evoke the energy I want to feel when I sit down to design or create. So even though it was a strong contender, Treron wasn’t the best choice when picking a paint color for the home office.

picking a paint color for the home office. treron by farrown and ball is a rich warm muted green.
The Primary Bedroom color drenched in Treron by Farrow & Ball

Option 2: Farrow & Ball London Clay

Picking a paint color for the home office. Home office mocked up with vintage tapestry wallpaper and London Clay by Farrow & Ball.
London Clay by Farrow & Ball will forever be my favorite brown!

Next up was London Clay by Farrow & Ball, a color I’ve used throughout the home — including in the powder bathroom and on a high-gloss dresser makeover in the primary bedroom. It’s warm, earthy, and has a timeless depth that works beautifully with traditional details.

When paired with the wallpaper, London Clay came close, but the undertone felt slightly off. More importantly, it brought a richness and heaviness to the room that didn’t quite match the creative, energizing atmosphere I want for the office.

It’s a stunning color — just not the direction for the home office.

picking a paint color for the home office. london clay by farrow & ball a deep warm rich brown in high gloss.
The powder room baseboards and door are painted London Clay by Farrow & Ball in Full Gloss.

Option 3: Farrow & Ball Joa’s White

Picking a paint color for the home office. Home office mocked up with vintage tapestry wallpaper and Joa's White by Farrow & Ball.
Joa’s White will win the award for Best Supporting Actress in this design. I love how it pops the right elements and allows the wallpaper to shine.

Although I do love a mood, I was noticing a trend that I wanted something lighter, but not necessarily white. I tested Joa’s White by Farrow & Ball, a warm near-neutral with a soft, sandy undertone. Immediately, it felt right. It complements the mural beautifully without competing with it, and it brightens the room in a way that still feels calm and grounded. And if we’re being totally honest, it has that Nancy Myers feeling to it.

The Paint Color I’m Picking for the Home Office

I’m sure you could sense where this was headed: I’m going with Joa’s White by Farrow & Ball for the home office design! I think it’s going to do all the heavy lifting with highlighting the trimwork and dentil molding I’ve worked so hard to install, but at the same time it knows it’s place as best supporting actress. The wallpaper mural is really the star of the show here.

Ultimately, when picking a paint color for the home office, I wanted something that offered:

  • Soft, inviting light without feeling stark
  • Visual calm for focus and creativity
  • Compatibility with the tones in the wallpaper
  • Cohesion with the warm undertones I have throughout the house already
  • Flexibility for future décor decisions

Joa’s White checks every box!

What’s Next in the Home Office Makeover

Now that the paint decision is made, the next steps are all about installing! I’ll be using my Graco X5 sprayer to apply most of the paint, as both the crown molding and the chair rail are quite detailed. I’ll hand paint the windows, doors and corresponding casing.

learn how to measure cut and install crown molding in this tutorial for beginners
The next time you see this, it will be painted! Shop: Crown Molding | Chair Rail | Box Molding

I’m also going to use this opportunity to repaint the ceiling. Instead of color drenching, or going with a white, I’m going a couple hues lighter than Joa’s White and am using Dimity in Dead Flat. I did a similar pairing in the primary bathroom this summer by pairing Jitney on the walls and Stirabout on the ceiling, and it’s such a beautiful soft contrast.

After painting, it will be time to install the wallpaper mural! I anticipate at least two full days to do this, possibly three, but luckily it lines right up so I’m hopeful it will be straightforward. From there I’ll swap out the light fixture, add the furniture back in and then it will be time to style! My goal is to have everything completed by December.

Follow along to see the rest of the home office makeover come to life! And if you’re new here, you can catch up on the progress thus far below.

Catch Up on the Home Office Makeover:

How to Measure, Cut & Install Crown Molding

How to Design Picture Frame Molding: Home Office Edition

Home Office Wallpaper Ideas

Home Office Makeover Plans & Inspiration

This project is part of the Fall 2025 One Room Challenge! You can follow along with the challenge here.

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