Professional painters give you 5 paint ideas for dark offices

If you are stuck in an office without any windows all day, you can start to feel a little bummed out. 

Luckily, there are some easy ways to breathe some fun and creativity into your dreary office space using the right colors and design techniques. 

The experts at Spectra Painting Contractors can help you transform your windowless office into a light and airy space that you will want to spend a third of your days. This post will give you the five best colors to use in your office, as well as some additional design ideas to maximize the light in your space. 

Here are 5 paint ideas for dark offices

1. Pops of yellow on your walls
   Adding a bit of yellow to your walls can brighten up even the dreariest of dark offices. Yellow inspires motivation and happiness, so it is a great color to add if you want to liven up your workspace. Yellow is also a good color for reflecting light, which is a perfect solution for spaces that do not get a lot of natural sunlight.

3. Gray as a neutral
   Gray is a safe neutral to use in an office setting because it goes with just about any kind of furniture and art. You can also use different shades of gray to create depth around your office. The Spruce suggests Sherwin-Williams’ Repose Gray, a warmer shade that will add a bit of energy to your workspace.
   
   
4. Off-white if you want a clean slate
   Instead of a stark white, opt for an off-white shade to help prevent eye strain but still brighten up your office. You can still achieve a contemporary look with a warmer off-white color that will keep your office feeling clean and professional. Farrow & Ball’s Pointing is a good suggestion by Elle Decor.
   
   
5. Red to boost inspiration
   If you have been a little unmotivated at the office, red can be a great color to add to your office color scheme. Red helps wake us up and get us excited about what we are doing, so it is the perfect color for sleepy office spaces. Use it for an accent wall, but be careful not to overdo it. 

5. Tealy blue for creative space
   Blue can inspire calmness in your workspace, and teal gives it a fun, creative twist. Use a dusty teal throughout your workspace or a brighter teal as an accent. Teal is also a great option if you have fluorescent lighting because the blue light will enhance the cool undertones. 

If you are struggling to decide on a paint color, Spectra Painting suggests looking for paint colors with a light reflectance value (LRV) of 50 or higher. Colors with a high LRV will bounce more light and create a brighter look, while paint colors with a low LRV absorb light and look more moody. 

4 more ways to decorate an office with no windows

1. Enhance your lighting options
   If you do not have any light coming in from windows, you will need to do everything you can to bring light into your office space. Fluorescent lights can look harsh and make your room appear dull, but lamps and hidden lights can bring a warmer light source to brighten up your office. You can also use mirrors to help reflect light around the room and use shiny or metallic decor accents to allow the light to travel throughout the room.
   
   If your office was painted in a warmer color, be sure to avoid fluorescent bulbs because the blue light will cancel out the warmer colors and make them look dull. If you need to use fluorescent lights, look for full-spectrum fluorescent bulbs, which most closely resemble sunlight. You can also use halogen bulbs to mimic sunlight.

2. Embrace some natural elements
   To make your windowless space seem a little more natural, you can incorporate natural design elements such as potted plants, stylish wood paneling, or natural stone accents. The natural greenery will help make your office feel a little more calming and help you feel less claustrophobic from sitting inside all day.

3. Decorate with a light color scheme
   You can make your office feel light and airy with light-colored furniture, art, and accents. Also, look for furniture designs that do not appear too heavy. Apartment Therapy suggests choosing furniture with legs that lift it off the ground can help spread light underneath your office furniture and make your office feel more spacious than it is.

4. Have fun with some statement pieces
   Just because you are working in a windowless space does not mean you cannot have fun bringing in organic shapes and colors. Updated Interiors suggests using a bit of colorful, botanical wallpaper to give your office a refreshing feel. You can also use oversized art to break up your space and keep your eye moving around the room.

Spectra Painting Contractors is based in the greater Boston area. We are proud to specialize in all kinds of residential and commercial painting services.