9 Neutral Paint Colors Designers Constantly Reach For — "It's My Tried-and-True"

This article discusses paint colors recommended by professional designers for camouflaging scuffs, dings, and everyday wear on walls and baseboards. It highlights nine specific colors and explains why each is effective. The primary goal is to help homeowners select paint that maintains a fresh appearance despite daily use. Shannon Kadwell, a kitchen and bath designer, frequently uses taupe for its ability to balance richness and reflectivity, making it dark enough to hide imperfections on baseboards while brightening walls with grounded elegance. Dallen Russell, a remodeling advisor, also advocates for taupe, describing it as warm and grounding. Kadwell further recommends brown, particularly clay-inspired hues, for its earthy effect and ability to conceal flaws, especially in smaller spaces. She advises using eggshell or satin finishes for walls to resist wear and simplify cleaning, and semi-gloss for trim to enhance architectural details and withstand damage. Peter Miles, principal of The Drawing Board, suggests beige or tan for mudrooms and laundry rooms due to their ability to absorb scuffs and create a warm, calming ambiance. Green shades are also presented as strong contenders. Olive green, noted by Kadwell, is a popular choice for bringing nature indoors and pairs well with neutral furniture. Miles adds that olive green evokes a soothing, country estate or garden-like feel. Sage green, preferred by Russell, is praised for its earthy, muted tone that effectively hides dust and surface irregularities, particularly in naturally lit areas. For classic and versatile options, gray is recommended by Kadwell for its ability to complement surroundings, serve as a neutral base, and subtly brighten a room without being overpowering. Russell also finds gray suitable for modernizing spaces. Pale pink, a choice from Russell, offers a soft, inviting warmth that diffuses flaws, making them less noticeable by reducing contrast. Muted blues are suggested for their relaxing aesthetic and capacity to absorb light, which helps minimize wall imperfections and maintain a fresher look on baseboards and trim over time. Lastly, for those committed to white, Miles advises using off-white to better hide marks compared to traditional bright whites, though he notes that lighter colors will still show more wear than darker, more saturated tones and are best suited for lower-traffic areas. The article emphasizes that selecting the appropriate paint color and finish can significantly impact the longevity of a room's pristine appearance. #PaintColors #HomeMaintenance #InteriorDesign #DecoratingTips #WallScuffs #Baseboards #HomeImprovement #ColorPsychology

Choosing the right paint color can significantly influence the ambiance of a home. Interior designers frequently recommend a select group of paint colors that reliably enhance various spaces. Among white and off-white shades, Benjamin Moore's Paper White is favored for its warm, slightly gray undertone, making it versatile for kitchens, stairwells, and moldings. White Dove, also by Benjamin Moore, is another classic, offering a subtle warmth without appearing yellow, suitable for entire homes. Benjamin Moore's Linen White provides a perfect ivory with depth, adapting from a pure ivory in bright light to a soft pink as the sun sets. Decorator's White, a Benjamin Moore color with a slight blue tone, brightens rooms and is ideal for walls, trim, millwork, and built-ins. Simply White by Benjamin Moore is a go-to warm white for all-white schemes, and its effect can be enhanced by varying sheen finishes on walls, doors, and baseboards. For neutral grays, Benjamin Moore's Light Pewter is a timeless option that serves as an excellent backdrop for various interior styles. Shoreline, another Benjamin Moore hue, is a pale gray praised for its neutrality, avoiding blue, green, or lavender undertones, making it suitable for family rooms, hallways, and kitchens. Sherwin-Williams' Passive is a reliable neutral gray without strong undertones, adaptable to almost any room. Revere Pewter by Benjamin Moore is a warm taupe-gray known for its chameleon-like quality, subtly changing with light conditions. Designers also embrace bold and vibrant colors. Farrow & Ball's Parma Gray, a blue with a purple undertone, can appear gray-blue and is used in high gloss for dramatic foyers or in matte for cozy family rooms. Brassica, by Farrow & Ball, is described as a quiet, masculine purple that complements various antique and modern furnishings. Benjamin Moore's Alligator Alley is a rich green with gray undertones, making it easy to integrate into a design scheme, whether as a base for wallpaper or an accent on ceilings. Heritage Red, a Benjamin Moore color, is recommended in high gloss for dining rooms or libraries, particularly for spaces used at night, creating a luxurious and cozy atmosphere. Benjamin Moore's Autumn Purple, a sophisticated berry hue, adds warmth and is suitable for dining rooms, powder rooms, or high-gloss built-ins in home offices. Specific blues and greens are also highlighted. Benjamin Moore's Bermuda Turquoise is a rich, saturated jewel tone perfect for small, transitional spaces like foyers and powder rooms, especially in a high-gloss finish. Blue Haze, another Benjamin Moore color, is an ethereal blue that is both calming and stimulating, often recommended for bedrooms. Brewster Gray by Benjamin Moore, a dusty blue, pairs well with brass or wallpaper and is used on walls, trim, and cabinetry. Sherwin-Williams' Evergreen Fog is a saturated, dusty green that acts as a neutral, providing a calming effect, particularly when paired with warm wood tones. Topsail by Sherwin-Williams is a subtle mint color, offering a refreshing hint of pale blue and green that can uplift or relax a room. Unique and earthy tones include Farrow & Ball's Hardwick White, which reads as a taupe despite its name, offering warmth and neutrality. Wevet, also by Farrow & Ball, is a delicate white with a barely-there, translucent feel and a slight gray undertone. Skimming Stone by Farrow & Ball is a light mushroom color, perfect for neutral rooms and effective on kitchen cabinets or interior walls. Jitney, another Farrow & Ball favorite, is a light and creamy brown with pink or peach undertones, offering earthy moodiness. Benjamin Moore's Palest Pistachio appears white with hints of blue or green, creating a happy and clean feeling. Palladian Blue by Benjamin Moore, which often presents more green than blue, is deep, elegant, and timeless. Sherwin-Williams' Accessible Beige is a warm beige that avoids yellow undertones and works well for kitchen cabinets. Cavern Clay by Sherwin-Williams, a terracotta-inspired hue, adds richness and is ideal for pairing with warm woods and neutral colors, even on ceilings for a rosy glow. Outerspace by Sherwin-Williams is a deep blue with heavy gray undertones, perfect for high-impact areas like built-ins. Lawn Party by Backdrop is a vibrant medium green with warm yellow and tan undertones, suitable for walls, ceilings, and cabinetry. Inchyra Blue by Farrow & Ball is a versatile blend of blue and gray, shifting with light, and ideal for islands or millwork. Finally, Red Earth by Farrow & Ball, a blend of red and yellow pigments, provides warmth and is excellent for accent cupboards or front doors. #PaintColors #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #ColorSelection #DesignTips #NeutralColors #BoldColors #FarrowAndBall #BenjaminMoore

Selecting the perfect paint color can be a challenging task, often requiring multiple samples to find the right shade. To simplify this process, interior designers frequently rely on a curated selection of timeless hues that consistently deliver an appealing aesthetic. This article presents 15 such paint colors, categorized into 'Welcoming Whites,' 'New Neutrals,' and 'Moody Hues,' all approved by designers and suitable for various home styles and rooms. The 'Welcoming Whites' category highlights shades that brighten spaces without appearing sterile. Benjamin Moore’s Swiss Coffee (OC-45) is praised by designer Caroline Brackett for its easygoing quality, used to revitalize a 19th-century farmhouse entry. Sherwin-Williams’ Greek Villa (SW 7551) is described by Amy Studebaker as a warm white with a subtle yellow undertone, making it welcoming and ideal for traditional homes. Benjamin Moore’s White Dove (OC-17) is a popular choice for its ability to make rooms feel open and airy, as noted by Catherine Branstetter who used it throughout her historic Nashville Tudor. Sherwin-Williams' Alabaster (SW 7008) is a sun-bleached shade that brings a beachy feel, chosen by Heather Chadduck Hillegas for a Florida bedroom. Farrow & Ball’s Wimborne White (No. 239) offers a soft, creamy coat that reflects natural light, perfect for a pine-paneled dining room in a Highlands, North Carolina, mountain cabin designed by Whitney McGregor. The 'New Neutrals' section features versatile colors that adapt well to different settings. Designer Mark D. Sikes utilized three shades of blue from Farrow & Ball—Skylight (No. 205) on walls, Borrowed Light (No. 235) on the ceiling, and Light Blue (No. 22) on trim—to create a soothing atmosphere in a Sea Island, Georgia, living room. Sherwin-Williams’ Liveable Green (SW 6176) is a fresh, verdant hue that Hannon Doody employed in a Tennessee cottage's family room to instill old-house character. Farrow & Ball’s Pink Ground (No. 202) is a sophisticated, muted pink chosen by Ashley Hanley for her daughter’s bedroom, intended to age gracefully. Sherwin-Williams' Natural Tan (SW 7567) is a creamy yellow that adds depth beyond white, fitting perfectly into a beach house kitchen by Heather Chadduck Hillegas. Sherwin-Williams’ Mountain Air (SW 6224) mimics the traditional 'haint blue' ceilings of Southern verandas, used by Natalie Roe in a Fairhope, Alabama, primary bedroom. Finally, 'Moody Hues' introduce deep, rich tones for enduring style. Sherwin-Williams’ Black Fox (SW 7020) provides a harmonious look for cabinetry with its velvety greige undertones, preventing a stark appearance in a historic Kentucky home. Farrow & Ball’s Brinjal (No. 222), a saturated berry shade with a glossy finish, was selected by Elly Poston Cooper for a Richmond, Virginia, pantry to create a jewel-box ambiance in smaller spaces. Sherwin Williams’ Forged Steel (SW 9565) demonstrates gray’s dramatic potential, as showcased by Laura Hodges in a pantry at the 2023 Southern Living Idea House. Benjamin Moore’s Garden Cucumber (644), a blue-tinged green, elevates utilitarian areas like mudrooms, as seen in Ellen Kavanaugh’s Wellington, Florida, home. Lastly, Sherwin-Williams’ Tricorn Black (SW 6258) offers a softer, welcoming black that modernized a saltbox-style cabin renovation by homeowners EJ and Whit Brown in Florence, Alabama. These selections demonstrate a range of colors that designers trust to create stylish and lasting interiors. #PaintColors #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #DesignerApproved #TimelessColors #WhitePaint #NeutralHues #MoodyColors #HomeImprovement

The article explores five underrated paint colors that interior designers frequently utilize in their projects, offering alternatives to popular trends and encouraging homeowners to consider less common hues. It emphasizes moving beyond social media trends to create unique and personalized home interiors. The first color highlighted is Deep Teal. While it had a moment in the 2010s, designers suggest its resurgence for spaces like dining rooms and powder rooms. Jodi Peterman of Elizabeth Erin Designs notes its beautiful pairing with warm wood tones and other blue hues, creating a monochromatic look with depth. Janelle Patton recommends using it on trim and cabinetry, suggesting combinations with yellow, green, blue, or pink. Next, Chartreuse, a blend of yellow and green, is presented as a surprising yet effective choice. Alexandra Peck advocates for this vivid color, particularly for wet bars, to introduce an unexpected pop of fun. This demonstrates how a bold, less conventional color can energize specific areas within a home. Lavender is introduced as an alternative to the currently popular pale, dusty blue. Patton suggests lavender for its relaxing quality and added warmth, recommending its use on bathroom vanities or even kitchen cabinets for those seeking a bolder statement. This highlights purple as an underutilized color in interior design, offering a fresh pastel option. Plum, another jewel tone, is championed by Alexandra Peck for its rich and deep qualities. She believes this color should be seen more frequently and notes its effectiveness on mudroom cabinetry, especially when contrasted with brass accents. This encourages the incorporation of dramatic, saturated colors to add sophistication and allure. Finally, the article discusses the brown color family, specifically “mushroom colors,” which encompass a warm range of creams and browns. Jodi Peterman observes a comeback for brown tones, suggesting them for kitchen and laundry room cabinets as a refreshing alternative to classic white. She notes their ability to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere, particularly when combined with neutral mosaic floor tile. The article also mentions Ochre as a bold choice for those unafraid of color. Peck describes it as an earth-tone color derived from natural clay earth pigment, distinct from typical mustard yellow due to its orange undertones. She suggests pairing it with blue and green and using it monochromatically on walls, ceilings, woodwork, or for upholstery in materials like velvet or mohair. This illustrates the versatility of natural pigments in creating impactful and sophisticated design statements. Overall, the article provides practical advice from design experts, guiding readers toward less common but impactful paint choices to personalize their living spaces. It aims to broaden perspectives on color use in home interiors, moving beyond fleeting trends to timeless and character-rich selections. #UnderratedPaintColors #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #ColorTrends #DesignersChoice #PaintSelection #HomeImprovement #PersonalizedHome #ColorPsychology