Work it out: Fresh ideas for your home office
After a well-deserved holiday break, diving back into work might feel a bit daunting. But what if your home office could inspire productivity, creativity and maybe even a touch of joy? Fresh coats of Resene paint or a stylish Resene wallpaper upgrade might be just what your workspace needs to kickstart the year. Let’s turn that post-holiday “back to workblues” into something a little brighter!
Start with the basics: colour. If you’re after a calm and focused vibe, consider soft blues like Resene Dusted Blue and Resene Link Water or gentle greens such as Resene Rainee and Resene Carefree. These hues help reduce stress and foster concentration – perfect for conquering your to-do list.
For a modern, energising space, warmer tones like Resene Cashmere or Resene Sante Fe can add vibrancy without being overwhelming. Pair them with neutral accents like Resene Half Thorndon Cream or Resene Eighth Tea for balance.
If your style leans more toward sophistication, deep tones like Resene Jaguar or Resene Baltic Sea create a polished, professional backdrop. These pair beautifully with metallic accents or rich wood tones like ReseneColorwood stains in shades Resene Meranti and Resene Dark Oak.
Don’t forget about texture and patterns. The ReseneWallpaper Collection offers everything from bold geometric designs to subtle, nature-inspired prints. Try a statement wall behind your desk to add personality while keeping the rest of the room grounded with neutral tones. The Resene Fashion for Walls Wallpaper Collection has many great choices for your home office, including standout designs like Resene Wallpaper Collection 10374-02, 10371-31, 2536V-13 and 10370-19.
Practicality matters, too. Use ReseneSpaceCote Low Sheen for walls – it’s durable and easy to wipeclean. For trims and shelves, ReseneLustacryl semi-gloss will keep everything looking sharp.And if you like to write reminder notes, create a noticeboard area with Resene FX Write-on Wall Paint painted over your wall so you can write on it like a whiteboard without damaging the wall.
Finally, bring it all together with good lighting, ergonomic furniture and a few personal touches like artwork and plants. You’ll have a home office so inviting, you might just look forward to working in it.
Take a look at these home office designs to give you a little more inspiration:
In this neutral room, Resene Wallpaper Collection 2536V-12 adds a delightful pop of colour and a touch of nature. The purple pairs well with lush greenery. Pair this wallpaper with whites like Resene Black White or Resene Merino for a chic, calm feel.
The back wall of this simple, earthy office is paintedin Resene Triple Merino, timber wall (left) stained in ReseneColorwood Pickled Bean, grooved wall (right) in Resene Quarter Karaka, shelves in Resene Settlement, floor stained in ReseneColorwood Uluru and desk in Resene All Black. Artwork from endemic world. Design by Kate Alexander, image by Bryce Carleton.
Keep things neutral and relaxed with a design like Resene Wallpaper Collection 10373-10. This textured pattern brings interest and grace to this minimal space. Pair it with walls or skirtingpainted in a complementary colour like Resene Half Rakaia or Resene Quarter Surrender.
This delightful space brings the colours of nature indoors for a calming work environment. The walls and frames are painted in Resene Thor, with floor in Resene Merino, desk in Resene Tea, chair in Resene Sorrento, bin and ball in Resene Breeze, pencil pot in Resene Gargoyle and pinboard in Resene Tiara. Lamp from Nood. Design by Vanessa Nouwens, image by Wendy Fenwick.
It’s amazing what a little creativity – and a splash of paint or strip of wallpaper – can do for your space. So, here’s to a productive and stylish start to the year!For more advice on colours for your home office or your other home projects, head to your local Resene ColorShop or Ask a Resene Colour Expert free online.
Published: 22 Jan 2025
Do you have a home full of wonderful Resene paint and colour? Send us some snaps by emailing [email protected].
Resene Dusted Blue
Resene Dusted Blue
Resene Link Water
Resene Link Water
Resene Rainee
Resene Carefree
Resene Carefree
Resene Cashmere
Resene Cashmere
Resene Sante Fe
Resene Sante Fe
Resene Half Thorndon Cream
Resene Half Thorndon Cream
Resene Eighth Tea
Resene Eighth Tea
Resene Jaguar
Resene Baltic Sea
Resene Baltic Sea
Resene Meranti
Resene Meranti
Resene Dark Oak
Resene Dark Oak
Resene Black White
Resene Black White
Resene Merino
Resene Triple Merino
Resene Triple Merino
Resene Quarter Karaka
Resene Quarter Karaka
Resene Settlement
Resene Settlement
Resene All Black
Resene All Black
Resene Half Rakaia
Resene Half Rakaia
Resene Quarter Surrender
Resene Quarter Surrender
Resene Thor
Resene Tea
Resene Sorrento
Resene Sorrento
Resene Breeze
Resene Gargoyle
Resene Gargoyle
Resene Tiara
the look
If you're stuck on what
colour to use or need colour
advice, try out the Resene
Ask a Colour Expert service.
Resene Dusted Blue
Resene Dusted Blue
Resene Link Water
Resene Link Water
Resene Rainee
Resene Carefree
Resene Carefree
Resene Cashmere
Resene Cashmere
Resene Sante Fe
Resene Sante Fe
Resene Half Thorndon Cream
Resene Half Thorndon Cream
Resene Eighth Tea
Resene Eighth Tea
Resene Jaguar
Resene Baltic Sea
Resene Baltic Sea
Resene Meranti
Resene Meranti
Resene Dark Oak
Resene Dark Oak
Resene Black White
Resene Black White
Resene Merino
Resene Triple Merino
Resene Triple Merino
Resene Quarter Karaka
Resene Quarter Karaka
Resene Settlement
Resene Settlement
Resene All Black
Resene All Black
Resene Half Rakaia
Resene Half Rakaia
Resene Quarter Surrender
Resene Quarter Surrender
Resene Thor
Resene Tea
Resene Sorrento
Resene Sorrento
Resene Breeze
Resene Gargoyle
Resene Gargoyle
Resene Tiara
the look
If you're stuck on what
colour to use or need colour
advice, try out the Resene
Ask a Colour Expert service.