The Most Motivating Colors You Can Paint The Walls In Your Home

If you're feeling uninspired in your home office or too bored to even think about cooking in your kitchen, a fresh coat of paint may be just the thing to bring life back into your spaces. Although the research is limited, we know that color can play an important role in our mood and energy levels, explains Verywell Mind. Considering how much time you spend in your home, you'll want to make sure your paint colors are working in your favor. Especially in rooms where you frequently exercise, socialize, and create, it's important to use paint colors that motivate and inspire. 

In order to make a room feel more energizing, it's best to opt for either a warm color or one with warm undertones. Cool colors make a space feel soft and relaxing, but warm colors do the opposite by generating action and infusing a sense of positivity, according to the paint experts at Benjamin Moore. You don't have to commit to an all-red palette to reap energizing effects; although blue is considered a cool color, certain shades of blue can still have warm undertones, leaning more towards a teal or green. In general, a vibrant shade will be more motivating than a subtle shade of the same color. 

A 2005 study published in Nature showed that the color red enhanced humans' performance in sports and contests. If you need more confidence when leading others, consider adding red to your home office or game room walls. Red is also a great color to use in rooms where you need a physical energy boost, like a home gym. Homeowners may want to proceed with caution, however, as red can also be associated with aggression, dominance, and danger, according to Color Psychology. To keep things tame, opt for a deeper red, like burgundy or cognac. 

Orange is not a color commonly used in interior design, but it's the perfect hue for rooms with a lot of social energy. In color psychology, orange fosters creativity, friendliness, and happiness (via Color Psychology). Using orange on your walls can improve communication in living areas, and may give you a boost of creativity in the kitchen. Orange is generally a very positive color, but beware that bright, intense orange walls may come across as ostentatious to some people. Subdued shades like terra cotta, peach, and burnt sienna are some more palatable options that will still offer similar effects.

A 2007 study in PLoS ONE showed that blue light, compared to other colors, leads to higher levels of alertness and better focus on tasks. Similarly, blue is a great paint color to use in rooms where you need to work, such as a home office, library, or garage workshop. Blue is generally associated with trust, teamwork, and problem-solving, so it may even help with improving business partnerships, says Trust Signals. To reap the most motivating effects in your home, remember to stick to warm blues like peacock, teal, and cerulean. Cool-toned blues can also help with focus, but they're more geared toward relaxation and peacefulness, making them better choices for bedroom colors and bathrooms. 

Green is another color that can be motivating in your home. Color Psychology offers that because green is the most common color in nature, it's relaxing to the human eye. Green walls create feelings of tranquility, prosperity, and optimism because the color simulates the feeling that our basic needs are being met. When we feel safe and nourished, we can focus more on creative pursuits. Green is a great motivating color for craft rooms, studios, and kitchen walls. Like orange, some shades of green can be overpowering, so explore softer hues like sage, mint, and hunter green for gentle encouragement.