The top 54 paint colours of the decade – all the shades we couldn't live without

Choosing the right paint color for a home can be a challenging and often overwhelming task, given the vast array of shades and finishes available. To simplify this process, leading paint experts from prominent brands such as Farrow & Ball, Clare, Sherwin-Williams, Behr, and Benjamin Moore were consulted to identify their most popular hues. The selection spans from classic neutrals to deeper, more complex tones, reflecting current design trends and timeless preferences. Farrow & Ball's popular choices include 'De Nimes No. 299,' a versatile blue-gray that shifts in appearance based on light conditions, making it suitable for both interiors and exteriors. For those seeking a unique alternative to common pinks, 'Sulking Room Pink No. 295,' a dirty-rose hue, creates an intimate and comforting atmosphere, especially when paired with complementary tones like 'School House White' or 'Peignoir.' 'Paean Black No. 294,' a Georgian-inspired, red-based black, offers a sophisticated touch for contemporary or bohemian spaces and serves as an accent for other Farrow & Ball reds. Sherwin-Williams highlights 'Pure White' as its most popular color, valued for its neutral balance that avoids leaning too cool or creamy. It is often recommended for monochromatic schemes, using different finishes for walls and trim. 'Tricorn Black' is their truest black, ideal for dramatic accents such as ceilings or trim. Among blues, 'Aleutian' stands out for its calming, zen-like quality, making it a popular choice for bedrooms, while 'Rainwashed,' a pale green with gray hints, pairs well with soft pinks like 'Charming Pink' for a gentle pastel aesthetic. For a bold statement, 'Rave Red' is a sophisticated and timeless option, particularly favored in modern farmhouse designs, and suggested for entryways to create a strong first impression. Clare's bestsellers include 'Headspace,' a soft blue-green that evokes a calm, airy feel, perfect for serene bedrooms. 'Current Mood,' a deep, moody green, defies neutral trends and is ideal for creating a sophisticated focal point in smaller spaces like powder rooms. The versatile neutral 'Penthouse,' a sophisticated greige, reflects light beautifully and complements various design aesthetics. For a warm white, 'Whipped' is Clare's top seller, providing a delicate feel that works well in living rooms and is particularly effective in north-facing rooms. Benjamin Moore's popular colors feature 'Hale Navy,' a classic dark blue that, despite its boldness, is considered easy to integrate into diverse design styles, from nautical to modern. 'White Dove,' a creamy white, offers warmth without a yellow cast, making it adaptable to both warm and cool palettes and suitable for refreshing trim and doors. 'Edgecomb Gray' is highlighted as an ideal neutral, a muted yet warm gray that provides a pleasing balance and an effective backdrop for various decorative styles. Behr's selections showcase 'Porcelain Peach,' a mildly orange tone that hints at a broader trend towards burnt and brewed orange hues. 'Dark Crimson' is a classic and refined choice for front doors, reflecting a shift towards rustier red versions with orange and brown undertones. Lastly, 'Blueprint,' Behr's 2019 Color of the Year, is a deep blue-gray that has gained significant popularity for its versatility, working well as an accent or across entire spaces, especially when layered with other blue shades for a monochromatic look. These expert-approved colors offer a guide to navigating paint choices, ensuring a balanced and aesthetically pleasing result for any home. #PaintColors #HomeDecor #InteriorDesign #DesignTrends #ColorSelection #NeutralPalettes #AccentColors #FarrowAndBall #SherwinWilliams

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

This article discusses the importance of choosing versatile paint colors for home interiors, especially for those who enjoy frequently redecorating or preparing a house for sale. Paint color experts recommend specific hues that serve as excellent backdrops for various design experiments. These colors not only offer flexibility in decorating but can also enhance a home's appeal to potential buyers, potentially increasing its market value by over $3,000, according to Zillow research. The article highlights five specific paint colors chosen for their universal compatibility. The first is Quietude by Sherwin-Williams, a soft green praised for its ability to complement a wide range of colors, from creams and blues to reds and warm browns. Next is York Gray by Benjamin Moore, described as a rich, creamy greige, ideal for spaces that lean towards warmer tones. Lime White by Benjamin Moore is another recommendation, a warm white that provides a neutral canvas for more vibrant furnishings and artwork. Excalibur Gray by Benjamin Moore, despite its name, is noted for its subtle purple undertones, making it surprisingly versatile and suitable for pairing with blues, greens, creamy yellows, grays, and browns. Lastly, Pearl Gray by Benjamin Moore is suggested for those preferring a cooler gray, fitting the current trend for lighter, less committing shades. Several tips are provided for selecting the perfect all-encompassing paint color. First, opt for soft and light shades, as pastels and understated hues are generally more versatile than bold ones. Second, consider the color temperature, deciding whether a warm or cool direction is desired for the room, and how much of a color statement is intended. Third, pay close attention to undertones, also referred to as hue families, as these dictate how a color interacts with adjacent shades. Mismatching undertones, such as pink beige carpet with yellow beige walls, can create undesirable clashes. Fourth, the article introduces the concept of "new neutrals," expanding beyond traditional whites, creams, beiges, and grays to include colors like navy blue and many shades of green, which offer broader compatibility due to their inherent nuances in saturation and lightness. Finally, the article advises against painting an entire home in a single monotone color, even with versatile shades. While neutrals are practical for main thoroughfares like foyers, hallways, and stairwells, incorporating bolder colors in other public rooms allows for self-expression and prevents a bland aesthetic. This balanced approach ensures a cohesive yet dynamic home environment that can evolve with changing tastes. #PaintColors #HomeDecor #InteriorDesign #NeutralColors #HomeImprovement #ColorExperts #RealEstateValue #DecoratingTips

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