It's hard enough to focus at home with all of the typical day-to-day distractions, but did you know the way that you decorate your home office can actually help (or hinder) your productivity? And while all of the fancy office gadgets in the world can only help you organize so much, the colors you choose for this space will have a big impact on your efficiency. Read below for the best color for... concentration.


According to ancient Feng Shui principles, orange is a "yang" color and it will stimulate focus, concentration and promote organization.[1] This makes it the perfect hue for a home office. But it's not just the color that matters, but how bright it is. “What defines whether a color is stimulating or soothing is not the color, it’s the intensity. A strong bright color will stimulate, and a color with low saturation will soothe,”[2] Angela Wright, a color psychologist said. So if you're hoping to get your work done quickly, we say -- go bold!






Because this hue is energizing[6] , it wouldn't be the best choice for a bedroom office, where you'd prefer to be restful. Or if you're afraid to commit to this daring shade, try adding orange pops to a mostly neutral space, like this:






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  • Surprisingly, this taxi yellow isn't as shocking as it may seem in theory. Indeed vibrant, it lends the perfect amount of color to an otherwise boring building.

    Flickr photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kieranlynam/157852019/in/photostream/" target="_hplink">Kieran Lynam</a>




  • Maybe it's the bold red-painted double doors, the vast collection of greenery, or a combination of both, but we could see this as the entrance to a tropical vacation bungalow.

    Flickr photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/monkeysox/2316885799/in/photostream/" target="_hplink">monkeysox</a>




  • The olive green door and rich brown hue of the house inspires us to work with a woodsy-inspired palette in the near future.

    Photo by Kirsten Kapur of <a href="http://throughtheloops.typepad.com/through_the_loops/2007/09/achillea-and-an.html" target="_hplink">Through The Loops</a>




  • This is the bold door trend in reverse, which is exactly why we love it. Instead of a neutral house and a bold-colored door, this home owner has gone with a red house and taupe-ish door. Genius!

    Flickr photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/photofarmer/396776111/in/photostream/" target="_hplink">photofarmer</a>




  • Purple and magenta, this front door definitely makes an eye-catching statement worth stopping to admire.

    Photo by Julia of <a href="http://hookedonhouses.net/2008/10/26/tickled-pink-purple-peach-victorian-painted-ladies/" target="_hplink">Hooked On Houses</a>




  • This is the first electric blue door we've seen, and we're digging it! It makes you wonder: What kind of fun antics could be happening inside?

    Flickr photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hamdyphotography/2826353334/" target="_hplink">alexanderhamdy</a>




  • An avocado green door looks just right against this cream-colored home.

    Flickr photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kendylyoung/2833271281/in/photostream/" target="_hplink">Kendyl Young</a>




  • Although the door on the left may be more visually striking, we kind of love the muted grey tone on the door to the right. What do you think?

    Flickr photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nickfarnhill/3150110229/in/photostream/" target="_hplink">nick farnhill</a>




  • Go beachside and breezy with this fresh sky blue-ish hue.

    Photo by Sarah of <a href="http://www.abeachcottage.com/2012/01/beach-cottage-new-coastal-blue-beach-decor-front-door.html" target="_hplink">A Beach Cottage</a>




  • What's a cottage door without charming red-orange paint? Seriously, this could be the entrance to Little Red Riding Hood's grandma's house.

    Flickr photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/irishfireside/3580502742/in/photostream/" target="_hplink">IrishFireside</a>




  • Halfway between sea foam and turquoise green, this door sets a serene mood into what seems like a calm country home.

    Flickr photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/clatiek/4395560605/in/photostream/" target="_hplink">ClatieK</a>




  • The bluish grey shade of these thin Parisian double doors is so refreshing yet a little somber.

    Flickr photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/joybot/6004591097/in/photostream/" target="_hplink">Joybot</a>




  • There's something so classic about navy. And, this Sherwin Williams Naval color really brings out the greens in the plants and red hues in the brick walls.

    Photo by Ann Drake of <a href="http://www.onsuttonplace.com/2011/06/my-new-blue-front-door.html" target="_hplink">On Sutton Place</a>




  • This front entrance used to be white, but we think this Van Courtland Blue from Benjamin Moore looks more inviting and homey.

    Photo by Jill Marquette of <a href="http://westbrookedrive.blogspot.com/2010/06/before-and-after.html" target="_hplink">Westbrooke Drive</a>




  • This Heritage Red-painted door shines bright against the rest of the white colonial-style home.

    Photo by Amy Chalmers of <a href="http://maisondecor8.blogspot.com/2010/06/i-didnt-start-off-in-fixer-upper-my-diy.html" target="_hplink">Maison Decor</a>




  • Black can be just as striking as bold, bright colors and still feel refined and timeless.

    Photo by Melissa of <a href="http://www.320sycamoreblog.com/2011/06/door-details.html" target="_hplink">320 Sycamore</a>




  • We couldn't do this color justice by just showing the door. The lawn and plant life dispersed around the door really complement this green color!

    Photo by Rachel of <a href="http://www.urbannestblog.com/2009/05/bungalow/" target="_hplink">Urban Nest</a>