Finding the best interior paint colors for your house is hard. As a homeowner, you’re faced with an endless array of colors, shades, and sheens. To complicate things further, you’ll need to coordinate paint colors between rooms and surfaces.
That’s why our color experts created this top 10 favorite interior paint colors to make it easy for you.
Regardless if you’re sprucing up your bedroom walls or painting the whole house, here are the top 10 most popular interior paint colors for any room.
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Best Paint Color Criteria
First and foremost, our goal is to save you time and money with this list. You shouldn’t spend all weekend ordering test patch swatches and driving to paint stores.
To simplify the process, the paint colors listed are fairly neutral, easy to match, and can be used in most rooms. Remember, every home is different and the amount of light in a room affects how colors look.
With this list of the best paint colors for your home, we’ll make the process as simple as possible. Let’s start with a shade that climbed from number ten to the top spot in a year’s time.
1. Origami White By Sherwin Williams
Sherwin Williams’ Origami White (SW 7636) is a balanced, modern wall color and our top pick for interior paint color this year. Certainly, it’s white with a slight tan undertone that can be a neutral backdrop for most rooms in your house.
But what we love most is Origami White’s versatility.
Indeed, the color has enough depth to work for large rooms with lots of sunlight while still being bright enough to open up smaller spaces. Not to mention, it finishes velvety smooth and seems to adapt well to both warm and cool lighting conditions.
All in all, Origami White’s unique warm hue is why many interior decor experts swear by it as the perfect neutral paint color. Underrated no more, this color exemplifies the fresh and inviting theme of the trendiest interior paint colors of the year.
Homeowner Pro Tip: Professional painting and drywall repair prices are the lowest of the year this month. Get your free painting price quote online now.
2. Behr Blank Canvas (DC-003)
Blank Canvas (DC-003) is a warm white neutral that has earned its distinction as Behr’s 2023 color of the year. Not only is it an inviting light neutral paint color, it perfectly encompasses a fresh new start. Certainly something we can all use after the past few years of uncertainty.
Moreover, Behr’s Blank Canvas has an earthy tinge of brown which characterizes it as an off-white color. At the same time, it’s light enough of a white to contrast other neutrals. This makes it a great color for kitchen cabinets as well.
Indeed, this is the perfect interior paint color for entryways, hallways, and mudrooms in addition to most any room in your home.
No question, the latest color trends do away with cold white tones like Delicate White by PPG. Instead, we are seeing warmer neutrals like Blank Canvas and Origami White taking over this year.
Finally, it’s easy to coordinate and with an LRV of 84, it has just enough depth to contrast white trim and ceilings.
3. Benjamin Moore Classic Gray
Benjamin Moore Classic Gray (BM 1548) is a natural light warm gray color that registers as a sophisticated off-white on the walls of most rooms. A top paint color among designers, this can be used to paint the whole house, bedroom, living room, or kitchen.
Not to mention, you can use this color instead of white in a darker room. Lastly, this top gray shade works in both south-facing and north-facing rooms.
Thinking about painting your main rooms? Find out which shades our experts picked in the best 9 living room paint colors this year.
4. Pure White Sherwin-Williams
Pure White (SW 7005) by Sherwin Williams is a versatile off-white paint color that is often used in the kitchen, bedroom, or living room. Likewise, it has a soft, warmer taupe tone that doesn’t feel terribly creamy and pairs well with gray color palettes.
Flexibility is key with this popular modern neutral interior color as it can be used on walls, cabinets, trim, or ceilings.
Narrowing down paint colors in a bedroom can be tough. With thousands of colors to choose from, where do you start? A good place to begin would be this list of popular bedroom wall hues curated by our expert design team.
5. Repose Gray Sherwin-Williams
This warm neutral paint color looks gray without feeling too cold. It’s a great color for walls in living rooms, foyers, dining rooms, kitchens, and bedrooms. Repose Gray (SW 7015) has slight taupe or green undertones and pairs well with white trim colors like Extra White (SW 7006).
The combination of gray and beige blends perfectly, allowing this color to go with most existing home paint color palettes.
Stumped on which primers to use? Learn all you’ll need to know about priming in our homeowner primer paint guide so you are better equipped to tackle your next project.
6. Sea Salt By Sherwin Williams
Sherwin-Williams Sea Salt (SW 6204) is a popular coastal “neutral” interior paint color that is a mix of gray and green. Used often in bathrooms, dining rooms, kitchens, and mudrooms, this is a relaxing cooler-leaning color with slight blue undertones.
This color has been described as “chameleon-like” in that it looks different in a variety of rooms/lighting. It also happens to be one of the most researched painting colors in the US with nearly 50,000 online searches per month.
Inspired by the painted powder room above? Find out which interior shades made our 10 best bathroom paint colors list this year!
7. Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace
One of Benjamin Moore’s truest whites, Chantilly Lace (OC-65) is a crisp, clean interior color with slightly gray undertones used on trim, cabinets, and walls. In most rooms and lighting, it reads like a warm white and can be used on ceilings as well.
Now as one of the whitest whites, it may take a third or fourth coat when painting over most wall colors. Therefore, it’s no surprise that this popular shade has the same wall coverage issues as Sherwin’s Highly Reflective White and Behr’s Ultra Pure White. Nonetheless, it acts as a great contrasting trim color to other popular Benjamin Moore wall colors, Revere Pewter and Gray Owl.
8. Behr Swiss Coffee
Swiss Coffee 12 by Behr is another warm white that has a neutral base that may appear more creamy, yellow depending on room lighting or time of day. In any case, it’s Behr’s most popular interior paint shades, and test swatches can be found in most Home Depot stores.
Behr’s Swiss Coffee has a bit of a beige undertone and is a popular neutral hue for bedrooms, living rooms, basem*nts, and family rooms.
9. Farrow and Ball Hague Blue
Hague Blue (No. 30) by Farrow Ball is a deep, darker blue-green that is a popular choice as an accent color or whole room color. Similar to SW Sea Salt, the color changes slightly in different interior lighting situations. It’s a rich and luxurious paint color that works well in a home office, dining room, or as a contrasting kitchen island cabinet color.
This popular Farrow & Ball color pairs beautifully with white trim or bright furniture pieces as a moody backdrop. It also works well with brass fixtures or a white tile bathroom as a classic shade of blue.
10. Gray Owl By Benjamin-Moore
One of the best-selling paints for Benjamin Moore in recent years, Gray Owl (2137-60) is a highly versatile warm-ish gray paint color. While blue, colder undertones may come out in certain lights, it’s still a very popular living room or kitchen paint color.
It can also be used in hallways and contrasts well with crisp white trim and flat white ceilings as a wall color. Certainly, it reflects light well in a room. On the other hand, it won’t make a small room look bigger like some of the white colors above.
How much will your next painting project cost? Check out our interior painter pricing guide to learn all you’ll need to know when budgeting for your next paint job.
Interior Paint Colors By Brand
Oftentimes, you’ll be considering paint colors from specific brands as a homeowner.
In this case, your paint crew may have a preferred painting brand or a specific paint store may be located nearby. The most frequented stores include colors from specific paint brands. These include Sherwin Williams, Benjamin Moore, Home Depot, or Lowes stores.
To make things easy, we’re going to highlight our best picks for interior paint colors from brands carried by each store.
Best Interior Color At Sherwin Williams
The top-selling paint color by Sherwin Williams is Agreeable Gray (SW 7029). This popular pick from Sherwin is a softer warm gray paint color that coordinates with most other paint colors.
The color is a balanced softer shade that goes with any home style. It’s often used as a wall color in living rooms, hallways, or staircases. This greige tone is best used on walls. Similarly, it pairs well with a variety of shades including white trim, greens, blues, teals, and virtually any contrasting warm paint color.
Did you know that Sherwin also carries some of our favorite exterior paint products? If you are painting exterior stucco or wood siding, their SuperPaint and Duration lines are solid picks.
Top Benjamin Moore Paint Color
We mentioned Chantilly Lace earlier but another top Benjamin Moore paint color is White Dove (OC-17). This is a classic style short shade of white that has a hint of warmth to it.
White Dove is a neutral favorite for homeowners and contractors, often used on interior trim, moldings, baseboards, and doors.
Home Depot’s Best Painting Color
Home Depot carries a few different paint color brands including Behr, PPG, and Glidden. We recommend Behr in particular for budget DIY painting projects like painting a small bedroom. Please note, paint offerings from big box stores are cheaper but the paint is “entry-level” when it comes to quality. Specifically, the coverage and finish of the paint will leave a lot to be desired.
The best interior paint color at home Depot is Behr White 52. It’s a cooler-toned white color that has enough of a tint to be categorized as an “off-white”. Likewise, this is most apparent when you pair it as a wall color with trim painted in a true or base white.
For exteriors, you can check our new trending house paint color list which includes Behr’s popular Polar Bear 75.
Lowes Interior Paint Colors
Lowes, as a whole, is a slightly nicer version of Home Depot but that comes with slightly higher prices and a limited selection. Nonetheless, Lowes carries known interior paint brands like Valspar and HGTV Home by Sherwin.
If you are confused about the difference between paint found at a Sherwin Williams paint store and the HGTV brand carried by Lowes, we are too. Likewise, it may worth a future blog post.
For now, we will highlight one nice aspect of this confusing corporate partnership. Most if not all Sherwin Williams paint color swatches can be picked up at Lowes. If you live closer to a Lowes versus a Sherwin Store like me, this is super useful.
As a general rule of thumb, you can always ask any paint store to mix colors for you from other brands. They all share the color mix codes with one another.
Thinking about updating your kitchen this season? Discover what it really costs to paint kitchen cabinets this year.
Valspar Paint Colors
A few recommended favorite paint colors from Valspar are as follows. Gilded Linen is a great warmer neutral, Summer Gray is a cooler off-white, and Oyster Pearl is another popular choice. We also like Granite Dust for kitchen cabinets or island accent pairings. Not to mention, Blissful Blue by Valspar is a homey bedroom color that contrasts well with white trim.
Are you looking to learn about the cost to paint a room in Chicago? Check out Improovy’s latest article about room painting costs in Chicago, Illinois.
As an expert in interior design and home improvement, my extensive knowledge in the field allows me to offer valuable insights into finding the best interior paint colors for your house. I have a deep understanding of color theory, design trends, and the practical aspects of choosing paint colors that complement various spaces.
In the article provided, the author discusses a range of interior paint colors and provides expert advice on selecting the right hues for different rooms. The information covers popular paint colors from reputable brands such as Sherwin Williams, Behr, Benjamin Moore, and Valspar. Let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the article:
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Origami White By Sherwin Williams (SW 7636):
- Described as a balanced, modern wall color with a slight tan undertone.
- Versatile and adaptable to both large, well-lit rooms and smaller spaces.
- Finish is velvety smooth, suitable for various lighting conditions.
- Highlighted for its unique warm hue, making it a perfect neutral paint color.
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Behr Blank Canvas (DC-003):
- Warm white neutral chosen as Behr's color of the year for 2023.
- Inviting light neutral with an earthy tinge of brown, symbolizing a fresh start.
- Suitable for entryways, hallways, mudrooms, and various rooms in the home.
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Benjamin Moore Classic Gray (BM 1548):
- Natural light warm gray color considered a sophisticated off-white.
- Versatile for use in entire houses, bedrooms, living rooms, and kitchens.
- Recommended for darker rooms as an alternative to white, suitable for both south-facing and north-facing rooms.
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Pure White Sherwin-Williams (SW 7005):
- Versatile off-white paint color with a soft, warmer taupe tone.
- Suitable for kitchens, bedrooms, and living rooms, pairs well with gray color palettes.
- Flexible for use on walls, cabinets, trim, or ceilings.
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Repose Gray Sherwin-Williams (SW 7015):
- Warm neutral paint color resembling gray without feeling too cold.
- Ideal for walls in living rooms, foyers, dining rooms, kitchens, and bedrooms.
- Blends well with existing home paint color palettes.
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Sea Salt By Sherwin Williams (SW 6204):
- Coastal "neutral" paint color, a mix of gray and green.
- Popular in bathrooms, dining rooms, kitchens, and mudrooms.
- Described as "chameleon-like" due to its varying appearance in different rooms and lighting conditions.
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Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace (OC-65):
- Crisp, clean interior color with slightly gray undertones.
- Used on trim, cabinets, walls, and ceilings.
- Acts as a great contrasting trim color, but may require multiple coats for full coverage.
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Behr Swiss Coffee 12:
- Warm white with a neutral base, may appear creamy or yellow depending on lighting.
- Popular for bedrooms, living rooms, basem*nts, and family rooms.
- One of Behr's most popular interior paint shades.
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Farrow and Ball Hague Blue (No. 30):
- Deep, darker blue-green color used as an accent or whole room color.
- Changes slightly in different lighting situations, pairs well with white trim or bright furniture.
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Gray Owl By Benjamin-Moore (2137-60):
- Highly versatile warm-ish gray paint color.
- Popular for living rooms, kitchens, hallways, and contrasts well with white trim.
The article also touches on selecting paint colors based on brands commonly found in stores like Sherwin Williams, Benjamin Moore, Home Depot, Lowes, and Valspar, providing insights into top-selling colors from each. This comprehensive guide showcases a wealth of knowledge on interior paint colors, ensuring homeowners can make informed decisions for their painting projects.
