Q: First of all I love your site. It inspires me to fix up my own home (you make it look so easy!). But if there was a class called Paint Picking 101 I would be getting a big fat F. So far every room I’ve painted in my new house is either too bright, too dark, too dirty looking and just plain ugly. I’m having the worst time finding a perfect tan tone and I’m even messing up colors like light blue and cream, which I never thought was even possible! Do you have any foolproof colors you can recommend? A favorite blue? Cream? Tan? White? Yellow? Gray? I know natural light and other factors can change the way paint looks substantially so it’s probably not 100% foolproof, but I’d love to know your favorite paint colors so at least I have a shot of living in a house that doesn’t make me feel like a total paint failure! Thanks so much for your help! – Meagan
A: Picking the right paint color can often be a doozie, so don’t get down on yourself! Take comfort in the fact that repainting, while annoying, is super inexpensive and it can instantly transform your room from wrong to oh-so-right in an afternoon. And thanks to the transformative power of paint, we’re the proud owners of an entire storage ottoman full of paint decks and swatches. Name any color or any brand- it’s all in our little paint chip library of sorts. But although we have quite a slew of selections we still find ourselves reaching for some tried and true favorites again and again when it comes to doling out room recommendations.
As you mentioned, paint colors can look very different under different lighting circumstances, but for the most part there are a bunch of practically error-proof tones that we find ourselves recommending again and again. Some of them are bright and fun (better suited for only one wall or even a punchy piece of furniture) while others are classic and serene- perfect for an entire room or even an entire home. Here’s the swatch suggestion scoop:
White- Benjamin Moore Decorators White, Glidden Dove White, Behr Cascade White, Sherwin-Williams Alabaster.
Cream- Glidden Antique White, Sherwin-Williams Creamy, Benjamin Moore Muskoka Trail, Benjamin Moore French White, Benjamin Moore Natural White.
Red- Benjamin Moore Million Dollar Red, Glidden Red Delicious, Behr Firelight, Valspar Fabulous Red (great for a front door- might be too bright for inside).
Pink/Coral: Sherwin-Williams Comical Coral (shown below), Benjamin Moore Wild Aster, Sherwin-Williams Animated Coral, Behr Be Mine, Behr Silk Sheets, Behr Coquette.
Brown- Benjamin Moore Branchport Brown, Benjamin Moore Woodacres, Benjamin Moore Stampede, Sherwin-Williams Cobble Brown, Sherwin-Williams Van Dyke Brown (shown below), Behr Traditional.
Yellow- Benjamin Moore Hawthorne Yellow (it is the be-all end-all of yellow paint, which is notoriously hard to get right).
Green- Glidden Fennel (no longer available for swatches, but still in the computer so they can whip it up for you), Glidden Celery Sticks, Benjamin Moore Mosaic Glass, Benjamin Moore Hibiscus (great for a cheerful kid’s room with white trim and brown furnishings), Benjamin Moore Soft Fern, Benjamin Moore Silken Pine, Benjamin Moore Sweet Pear, Benjamin Moore Dune Grass, Sherwin-Williams Lime Granita.
Purple- Glidden Silver Plum (no longer available for swatches, but still in the computer so they can whip it up for you), Glidden Delicious Plum (amazing eggplant color for a front door), Glidden Black Tulip (the deepest moodiest purple-black that’s dripping with drama) Benjamin Moore Nosegay, Benjamin Moore Violet Pearl, Benjamin Moore Iced Lavender.
Blue- Glidden Gentle Tide (no longer available for swatches, but still in the computer so they can whip it up for you), Benjamin Moore Quiet Moments, Benjamin Moore Saratoga Springs, Restoration Hardware Silver Sage (it has green undertones but looks blue-gray in most rooms), Behr Pensive Sky, Behr Flint Smoke, Behr Grand Rapids.
Navy- Benjamin Moore Spellbound, Benjamin Moore French Barret, Benjamin Moore Hudson Bay, Sherwin Williams Grays Harbor, Sherwin-Williams Naval.
Black- Glidden Onyx Black, Benjamin Moore Graphite.
Tan- Glidden Sand White (no longer available for swatches, but still in the computer so they can whip it up for you), Glidden Water Chestnut, Glidden Cafe Latte, Benjamin Moore Baja Dunes, Benjamin Moore Davenport Tan, Behr Harvest Brown.
Orange- Benjamin Moore Beverly Hills, Benjamin Moore Lion Heart, Benjamin Moore Corn Husk, Sherwin-Williams Marquis Orange, Sherwin-Williams Mandarin (shown below).
Gray- Benjamin Moore North Hampton Putty, Benjamin Moore Light Pewter, Benjamin Moore Stonington Gray, Benjamin Moore Nantucket Fog, Glidden Silver Dust.
Beige- Benjamin Moore Clay Beige, Benjamin Moore Green Brier, Sherwin-Williams Ancient Marble.
Greige- Benjamin Moore Tapestry Beige, Behr Ocean Pearl.
Oh and a word of warning: you don’t want one of each of these colors in your house! Here’s how we learned that a tighter color scheme can make your home feel bigger, more open, and a lot more cohesive and welcoming. Of course it doesn’t have to feel expected or monochromatic since you can bring in different accent colors with art and accessories in each space to make them feel unique and interesting!
And a second word of warning: Paint colors look different in every room (due to lighting and other ever-changing factors) so we just suggest grabbing a bunch of the swatches above and bringing them home to see which ones look best on your wall. We can’t recommend a specific color for your specific situation with any great accuracy since we have no idea how it’ll “read” in your home (your eyes will be much better than ours since we’re not right there in your space). Just tape up a variety of swatches and pick the one that looks best to you (and get a few test pots of paint if you’re still not sure)! That really is the best way to get it right every time.
What about you guys? Any words of warning or paint color advice? Do you have some favorite hues that have worked out wonderfully for your casa? Any that were terrible that you’d love to warn others about? Let’s all help Meagan out by dishing the paint picking dirt.
Kim says
I love the colors in your house and the ones you selected as good selections and yet not one of them works with my darned red sofa!! I’ve been searching and searching for something greenish/tannish that also works with browns and greens (and that big, very red, sofa). I’ve got more paint swatches than I do wall at this point. Perhaps I’m just too set on green, but its either greenish paint throughout my open plan condo or all new bedding or all new sofa. Paint is cheaper!
But thanks for your list, its certainly giving me lots to think about!
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Kim,
In our paint-lovin’ opinion, the perfect greenish tan is Benjamin Moore’s Dune Grass. Have you checked it out? If not, we’d definitely recommend it. Good luck!
xo,
s
kim says
Thanks, I check out Dune Grass but fear it is still tooooo subtle and light…
Terrie says
FRONT DOOR – Hi everyone just used Sherwin Williams Arts and Craft pallette of Roycroft Copper Red. Love it on the door. It is an deep orange red, very classy. I have a tan house with green shutters. I first tried to paint the door green like the shutters but, if you don’t get the colors perfect, they compete, so I went with the accent. Need the right gray primer and let the coats dry. Summer is not a good time to paint. Also if changing hardware, Lowes looked at my house key and knew just what door hardware brand I had. I got the same brand so that the holes would all line up. They even keyed my new lock right there in the store with my current house key.
RENTAL – Also, Like in an earlier post, I used SW Svelte Sage and Believable Buff for our rental town house. The Sage in the kitchen and bathrooms since they already had medium oak and the Buff everywhere else. The renter walked in (A cool military guy) and loved the colors and said it was the nicest rental he’s seen. It really paid off.
Misty Kincaid says
Hi! I was in the middle of a long two hour search of googling for paint help on the internet today, and I found your site!! (and I am sooo excited!) I am in dire need of some painting advice. My husband and I are newlyweds in a new house that needs a lot of painting HELP, our kitchen especially! Our kitchen has white appliances (new, but white), white linoleum floors, white countertops, and white cabinets. We can’t really afford to do anything else but paint for now, and I have no idea where to start on choosing colors. We been searching for months, and the one earthy green color that we tried was just too dark. We are up for any suggestions, and are excited about getting started since I have some free time. Thanks! :)
YoungHouseLove says
This post is full of our favorite colors so we would just recommend pulling a bunch of our recommended paint swatches and holding them up to see how they look. Since your kitchen is pretty much a blank slate you can do a ton of things (blue, green, tan, yellow, amber, mocha, chocolate, gray, red, eggplant, etc). We have a white kitchen (cabinets and counters) and we love our soft gray-blue walls (try Quiet Moments by Benjamin Moore for a similar effect). A soft sea glass green tone would also be lovely (just grab a bunch of the green hues we mention in this post and see which one tickles your fancy). Good luck!
xo,
s
Karma says
We just went to Hawaii and I’m inspired to do a beach themed spare bedroom. I want to use a blue but don’t want it to be boyish. It’s a smaller room. I want to hang lots of photos of the beautiful flowers. Any suggestions? Thanks! Love the ideas you give.
YoungHouseLove says
Just grab the recommended blue paint swatches in this post (they’re all our favorites) and hold them up to see what you like. Good luck!
xo,
s
Jen Keaveney says
I am really enjoying all the information and product information your webite provides. We have lived in our home for a year now. Room after room of wallpaper has been removed. Now the hard part-deciding on paint colors. The bedrooms and bathrooms have been easy, but it is our downstairs living area we are struggling with. We have cherry hardwood floors and our house does not get a lot of natural light, so we are looking for someting to brighten the place up. I really like Sherwin Williams “blonde” and I am looking for some complimentary colors including a neutral. I want to stay away from anything blue downstairs.
Thanks for your help!
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Jen,
We don’t have Blonde on hand, and we hesitate to toss out any specific colors since they will “read” differently in your lighting situation anyway. We would just recommend pulling a lot of the swatches that we’ve highlighted here in this post as our favorites and holding them up to see what looks good where. Happy hunting!
xo,
s
Julie says
Thank you for this post! We’re moving into a new house next week (YAY!) and my mind has been going crazy with paint choices already. In our last house I tried to come up with “new” colors everytime I wanted to paint, so you bringing up using the same colors throughout the house makes the choices MUCH easier. I do have 2 Q’s: Where do you get the paint fans? That would be SO much easier than trying to bring home dozens of chips! Also, 2 of our rooms have chair rail – I’m thinking paint the bottom a shade or two darker from the same card (although some day I think we’ll do paneling in at least one room.) Do you have any other ideas that would make it pop?
Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
Yes, we love the look of something a shade or two lighter on top of the rail. Awesome. As for the fan decks, we purchase them from each company online or in the store. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Laurie Jackim says
I have a basement that we would like to paint white on white. White walls and ceiling one color and white baseboards another. Could you recommend two colors of white that would look great together?
YoungHouseLove says
That’s too hard! Lighting changes so much from room to room so any colors we could suggest might clash in your space. Just bring home a ton of chips and see what pairing looks best. Happy hunting!
xo,
s
Anita says
Thanks for all the wonderful information. I want to paint one wall in our bedroom navy blue. I’m considering Benjamin Moore’s Hudson Bay. I hope it won’t look too green. Do you have any other suggestions for a nice rich navy color? The room is large and has plenty of light. For the other walls, I’m thinking of a lighter blue or a tan/beige. What blue and beige colors would look best with a navy accent wall?
I’m also planning to paint our master bath which has white and blue/gray tile and dark blue/gray sinks and tub and toilet. I was considering a light gray for the walls or maybe a yellow/cream? Any recommendations? Thanks so much.
YoungHouseLove says
Hi Anita – Your ideas sound like they’re going to look great. Unfortunately we no longer suggest specific colors for people because lighting changes so much from room to room that any colors we could recommend might clash in your space. Just bring home a ton of chips and see what looks best. And of course referring to our favorite chips outlined in this post can help since they’re already colors we know and love. Happy hunting!
xo,
s
Melissa says
Hello Youngsters,
Looking for a suggestion on wall color to match smoothe, pale terra cotta floor tile. It’s for my basement, a pretty open space with a decent amount of natural light. Is there a general “family” of colors I should focus on? Anything you would say to stay away from?
Thanks!
Melissa
Rebecca says
Hello,
I love your site. We just bought our first home and have found your sight incredibly useful. We have a dining room that gets a fair amount of light. A chair rail cuts through the middle of it. We can’t figure out what color to paint the room. I was thinking one of the creme colors or tan, but should we put the bolder color on top of the chair rail or the bottom? Also, is tan too bland for a dining room? Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
A two toned tan dining room would look great. We would put the darker color on the bottom so the room doesn’t feel top heavy. Good luck!
xo,
s
Michelle says
Hello,
I am so glad I came across your site. I have really enjoyed going through all of your pictures and reading your helpful ideas!
I am a teacher on summer break and am determined to FINALLY paint our masterbedroom before heading back to school. After being in our house for 7 years and taking care of our two boys’ rooms first, I think it’s time to tackle our bedroom. I am hesitant about the paint because of the size of our room. It is actually two bedrooms in size…the master as the main room with a retreat area which could have been an additional bedroom on its own. The two sides are divided by a half wall. My question is whether I should stick to one color for the entire area, or if I should provide a bit of separation and use two complimentary colors. The carpeting is a wheat color and the trim is Frazee Swiss Coffe. There are 4 rather large windows (3 in the master and 1 in the retreat area) so there is quite a bit of light.
I am tossing between tans and beiges and using accessories to bring in sages and some soft blues. I am just not sure whether using to paint colors would be the way to go. On the other hand, I’m concerned that using only one my be too much.
Any thoughts/ideas would be so great!
Thank you!
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Michelle,
We would definitely stick with one color for the entire space so it flows nicely and doesn’t feel disrupted. Since the space is so large and has an abundance of windows we’d suggest going with tans instead of beiges since it can handle a bit of hue without feeling overwhelmed. It’ll be nice and cozy and inviting. Then introducing those accessories in sage and soft blue will polish things off nicely and add layered style and dimension. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Cathy says
Hello,
I love your house – it’s so serene and comfortable looking. Exactly what I’d like for my home.
My husband and I plan to paint our living room this weekend and I am having trouble picking a color. Everywhere I look on the web, the trim seems to be white. Ours is a medium dark wood trim. It’s an old house, so the trim is everywhere and very thick. Can I pick colors I like even tho they are against white trim, or are there certain colors that look best with wood trim?
Another idea would be to paint the wood trim white. It’s white in a couple of rooms and it does make the room look more finished. Our wood is not particularly beautiful in color. I guess I just never wanted to paint it because the previous owner spent so much time and money to get it back to the natural wood color.
How do you feel about wood trim? Keep it or paint it? Any color suggestions one way or the other?
Thanks,
Cathy
YoungHouseLove says
We love white trim- we painted all of ours after moving in and have never regretted it. Of course that’s a personal preference thing though, so just do whatever you like best. As for colors that work well with wood trim, warm honey and gold tan tones look good with it as well a soft sage or celedon greens. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Melissa says
Hi all!
Need help with a color for our playroom in our basement. No windows, white trim, beige carpet. We have an 11 year old girl and an 8 year old boy. Right now the room is being used as a “Barbie” room, but that may not last much longer. We may switch and put guitars and a keyboard in the future. The room can literally be any color under the sun!! What is your favorite “super fun” color?
YoungHouseLove says
We love Glidden’s Celery Sticks. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Brandi Hughes says
I have been wanting to “spruce up” my house for awhile now and when I came across your sight and literally saw my kitchen “wood cabinets and all beige/tan look” on your site and the way they painted the cabinets white….absolutely beautiful! We just added new trim and doors about 5 years ago and painfully stained and varnished everything…so convincing my husband to redo and paint everything white will probably be my biggest challange! However, I plan to start with the small stuff … the outside of our small ranch house….it has vinyl siding in cream and in one small section it is brick in a concrety (not a word but describes well) color and texture…our roof is new in a chocolate/dk gray color. I want to paint the shutters…but I am tired of the old standby colors of blue, black, maroon, and green…any suggestions for a new color and I would like to paint the door a nice contrast/accent…also if possible….can I paint the outside brick stuff? And if so, what color and with what type of paint do you suggest?
YoungHouseLove says
Just google around or head to your local home improvement store for info on painting brick (there’s too much of it to post here) and as for the color combo, why not grab some of the paint swatches that we highlight here as our favorites and hold them up outside to see if you like any pairings for the shutters and door. Celery green shutters with a bright red door might be fun or you could go with navy shutters and a red door for more of a nautical look. Even an eggplant door with mocha shutters can look amazing. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Brooke says
Thanks for the AWESOME suggestions. I’m looking for a yellow for my nursery…do you have any color suggestions that are similar to the BM Hawthorne color that I could get at a Lowes or Home Depot? I’m having a hard time finding a yellow that isn’t SO in your face. Any suggestions?
Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
How about color matching the Hawthorne Yellow to a Lowe’s or Home Depot brand paint? They’re awesome at that and we hesitate to suggest something that pales in comparison. Good luck!
xo,
s
Brooke says
Great, I will try that, thanks!!
Brooke
Debbie says
I think I have officially seen everypage on your site after hours of perusing. I love it. I have a question regarding kitchen color. You can see part of my kitchen and dining room from the living room. The living room is pale blue with brown,tan and wine/burg. accents. The dining room is red and the kitchen is yellow. The yellow was done recently but the more I look at it the darker it seems. I would like to change the dining room to a pale shade of gold but I’m not sure what to do with the kitchen. The cabinets are white as is the trim, tile backsplash and appliances. The counter tops are a dark shade of green laminate. There are four windows facing west so I get plenty of light. I am in the process of painting my grandmothers old hoosier cabinet back to white to sit in the small eating area. Obviously I am not afraid of color but I just don’t know which directions to go with this. Previously the walls in the kitchen were dark green.
Thanks
YoungHouseLove says
We would do a soft celery green or a sea-glass-esque greeny blue tone. Sort of a muted teal. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Tanya says
I stumbled upon your website a couple of weeks ago and I have a hard time leaving it! Your ideas are great!
I have a question about my living room wall colors. We have light brown laminent floors, deep red furniture, black curtains and the trim is white. The living room bay window faces West so we get plenty of light. What color to paint my living room? The front door walks directly into the living room and there is also a set of stairs with light brown carpet going upstairs. We have a corner gas fireplace with a white mantel. The TV stand is cherry wood color and glass. That is the only table in the living room. I am so afraid to decorate as I do not want it to look funny! How to choose colors? It is a very tiny living space as well.
thanks so much for sharing your tips and ideas :) Congratulations on your new bundle of joy, she is adorable!!
YoungHouseLove says
Just bring home some of the swatches that we call out as our favorites in this very post and hold them up to see what looks best! The lighting situation is different in every room so just see which ones look great in your space and go from there. Off the top of our heads some soft gray-blue or celery green would look lovely in your home. Good luck!
xo,
s
Laura says
Hi YHL,
Love your blog!
For a blue paint you suggest BM Quiet Moments but when I got the strip and color chart it is a definitely a gray-green no matter what light is on it. The colors above it on the strip are green things (healing aloe and enlighten mint). Same with Glidden Gentle Tide (I painted a sample)- looks more green than blue. Do you have any suggestions for a bedroom blue, aqua, or turqoise that is gray/muddy so it is not so bright and in your face and baby boy?
As for the rest of the house I am leaning towards water chestnut but was also thinking of a gold instead for some color. I don’t want a yellow yellow but thought gold would be nice. I love blues as an accent. Love the beach and modern clean lines. Is gold more of a traditional/formal style color? Would you consider adding a gold category and colors to your color suggestions? Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Laura,
Have you brought those strips into your house and looked at them? We’ve seen at least a dozen rooms painted in both Gentle Tide and Quiet Moments and they always read as blue-gray on the wall. Names can definitely be deceiving (as can looking at colors in the bright lighting in the store) so just as Restoration has a famous blue color called Silver Sage (which definitely sounds green) you’ll find that colors read differently in a house with lighting that is gravely different than a bright halogen-lit store. So our advice for finding the perfect but not too baby boy blue tone would be to bring home a slew of swatches and just see how they perform in your lighting. Then go for the grayest one- not the most clear or most obviously light blue or it’ll look pastel-y and not sophisticated at all. Muddy is the key! And as for what you call gold, we refer to that color as a warm wheat tone (which can be traditional and formal but can also be crisp and beachy-casual). Try Benjamin Moore’s Boardwalk and Twilight Gold. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Laura says
Thank you! I also meant to say I am looking for a straw color but could only think gold. Wheat is good too.
As for the blues/greens, my eye always goes for the clear colors on the swatches. I’m glad I painted a sample of Olympic’s South Pacific on a poster board first because it is too pastel-y.
Deborah Collins says
Dear yhl
HELP… My husband and I have just retired and moved to the South where the light is very different. We bought a house that is open concept and have already messed up with paint. We are on our third try. Looking for a soft tan with golden undertones as opposed to green undertones which is what we have managed to put on twice now. BAAAAD! We are at our wits end and hoping after finding your web site that you can tell us which color to go to with the golden undertones as you are the experts in this field. We thank you so very much for your time.
Deb.
YoungHouseLove says
We really can’t help with a specific color since undertones can change depending on your lighting situation. So the key is this: bring home a ton of soft tan paint swatches with every undertone under the sun, then tape them up on your wall and compare them to clearly see which ones are too green (eliminate those and you’ll be able to better hone in on one that you’ll love). Good luck!
xo,
s
Mandy says
I love your site!
I’m planning on painting my living room walls a soft tan or brown color. My couches are also a soft brown in color. Do you think it would be best to choose a different wall color? I’m afraid the living room will look too tan. or will adding strong accent colors in the living room help this issue?
Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Mandy,
For a soft monochromatic look we’d go for a shade lighter than your sofas (like a creamy mocha). But if you’re looking for more definition and pop, something like a soft blue-gray or even a khaki tone with some green in it might be more varied and interesting. Either way you can always punch things up with accessories so you can’t really go wrong!
xo,
s
Laura says
YHL (and Deborah this might help you),
I went to Home Depot to look at Glidden colors again and I found Tawny Birch which looks to be a brown with yellow undertones. I think this is what I was looking for open living room, dining room, kitchen but I still need to paint a sample on the wall to make sure. What do you guys think of this color for beachy casual with clean lines and blues for accessories? Might do Gentle Tide in bedroom off the living room.
YoungHouseLove says
Sounds lovely! We say go for it!
xo,
s
s and n says
my husband and I are moving into a house that has black, red and this nasty gray color on the walls. I am desperately trying to find two colors that will work throughtout the whole house. I need something simple and that will work with mostly tan and brown furniture. I have less than a week to figure out the colors before we need to move. I dont do well with toooooooo much color. Please help…. Do you have any suggestions??
YoungHouseLove says
Soft blues, creams, and khaki greens will look amazing with your existing furnishings. Just grab a bunch of the recommended colors in this post and see which ones look best in your lighting situation. Good luck!
xo,
s
Martha says
Hi Sherry and John!
I’m loving your blog. I just purchased a 1950 rambler in NoVa and am working on decorating and updating it, and getting tons of inspiration from you all. I love Gentle Tide, and am thinking about painting the top half of my dining room that color. Any suggestions for a color to go below the chair rail? I’ve been trying to find a darker blue-gray but am not really sure what color would work best.
Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
Just grab a ton of swatches and hold them up with Gentle Tide in that room to see what works best! We hesitate to suggest a specific color since it will read differently in different lighting situations. Good luck!
xo,
s
Y says
Hey, thanks for all the tips so far. I am moving shortly – using Sherwin Wiliams paints. My nursery off the master is a converted walk in closet – tiny! I have ivory and blue bedding with white furniture. What color can I use to make it feel the airiest? Also, the vanities in the master bath are bright smurf blue (!?!) – laminate, cannot be painted. The tiles are whitish gray – what color to paint in there??? Will gray tone down the blue? Thanks so much!!
YoungHouseLove says
Yup, a soft and non-competing gray will be an awesome counterpart (just pick up some of the gray swatches we suggested, pick your favorite, and have it color matched to SW paint). As for the tiny nursery, we’d say a whisper soft blue (not a baby’s blue, but more like a very subtle and light gray-blue) would be lovely. Again, just grab a ton of swatches and select the one that reads the best in your space (since lighting will change the way paint colors read in every space). Good luck!
xo,
s
allie says
I have just found your blog and love it!!! Thank you! I recently moved into a ranch style open concept home. I am struggling to figure out what colors to use… The floors are a beautiful deep red cherry, All of our furniture is in the brown/tan variety, our accessories are full of red and sage accents and the cabinets are oak. I am trying to find a color/colors that will work with all the different browns in the house, plus still compliment my beloved red… any ideas or directions to point me? the catch is that I need to be able to put the same color in the entire main living area… Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
Try a soft khaki green with tan undertones that will look lovely with the sage, red, and all the wood. We love Benjamin Moore’s Dune Grass. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Cindi says
Just found your website and it’s just what I was looking for. I want to repaint my kitchen. Currently it’s a dark yellow which I don’t mind too much but it’s time to repaint. I would like to stay with a muted gold color that would go with my the tile in there which is a tan color. It’s really hard to find the right color of yellow/gold. I don’t want anything too bright. Is there such a color that is muted gold with tan undertones? Thanks.
YoungHouseLove says
The good news is that color you’re seeking definitely exists! Your best bet is to bring a bunch of swatches home and hold them up to see what reads the best in your space. Since the lighting in your home is different than mine, picking a swatch for you won’t necessarily get you any closer to finding the right color since it could look too dark or too yellow or too peachy in your light. Good luck and happy hunting!
xo,
s
Jessica says
Love your blog! You guys are an inspiration. We moved into our first home in October and are finally ready to take the plunge on redecorating. The previous owners had fantastic “Pottery Barn” taste which I loved when we bought the house but some of our rooms are almost too monochromatic. We have four rooms of greige, a soft yellow dining room, two light blue bedrooms, a soft green bedroom, and a beige master bedroom. White trim and honey wood floors throughout the house. I am tackling our family room which is currently greige with mahogany wood beams, white trim, wood floors, and a faux white paint on our fireplace. The lower half of the walls is white beadboarding which I love because I feel like it will allow me to have a little more fun with the color choice. I’m leaning towards the green family (Terrapin Green, Vienna Green, or Apple Green–the hippest of all the options probably–from BM) or the blue family (French Beret, or Kitty Gray from BM). I’m afraid to do anything too dramatic (even though I know this room needs a punch of color) because the kitchen (light tan color) opens into the family room. Especially after reading your lessons on picking out a color, I’m worried that having the main room in our house a very different color will break the house up and make it feel like a completely different space instead of flowing. The only light that comes into this room comes from the north. Any words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated (I’ve already got 6 stripes of paints on the wall). Thank you!!
YoungHouseLove says
Go for something in the green family for a fresh feeling. We love Celery Sticks by Glidden or Dune Grass by Benjamin Moore. Just bring home a bunch of swatches and see what works for you. To keep it feeling cohesive, integrate that fresh green color into a few more rooms (even just in pillows and accessories, or by painting the back of a bookcase, etc). Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Jessica says
Thank you! Love the tip about bringing green into other rooms. After my last post I went out and got the color swatches. It’s amazing how much different (and darker) they are compared to what the computer screen shows. Needless to say, all the colors in my original post are now scrapped and I’ll be looking at Dune Grass :)
Rian says
I just found your blog and it is inspiring. I have spend hours going over every link & picture. I was wondering if you know what the wall color in your portfolio is – you said wheaty-gold (the room with red couches.) Where can i buy curtains like those?
I have red couches in my family room, but not as bright. The room is currently a light yellow/ivory i think and i would love to repaint it. I am wondering if the wall color in your portfolio (wheaty-gold) will look as good in my family room and match Benjamin Moore Natural White like in the kitchen above (I love it & would like to paint my kitchen just like it and get green drapes.)
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Rian,
Here’s that post with all the info (wall color, curtains, etc): https://www.younghouselove.com/2009/06/abbeys-design-dilemma/
xo,
s
Lindsey R says
Awesome post (with a ton of great info in the comments too!!) THANK YOU!!
babs says
Behr OCEAN PEARL goes with everything ! Love it!
Babs
Angie says
I have done Quiet Moments throughout our basement living area. It does have a green look rather than blue, but that maybe due to our can lighting. I think if I change the bulbs it will help. I am desperately trying to find colors that compliments quiet moments for a bedroom color. It is a basement so I want it to be light and airy and one of the bedroom is for my 3 year old daughter. I wanted a blue or green that is for kids, but also compliments quiet moments. For a guest bedroom that would work too. My bathroom has an espresso vanity so I would love a color that works well with Quiet Moments. Thank you for your assistence!
YoungHouseLove says
You’d have to bring a slew of swatches home to be sure (especially since they’re reading differently in your lighting situation than in ours) but you might want to start with Hint Of Mint By Benjamin Moore or Stolen Moments (also by BM). Good luck!
xo,
s
Angie says
thanks so much for responding. I like the stolen moments on the swatch. It is a really big room so I hope it won’t be too much. I am wondering what color you would do a bathroom? I am wanting something light and neutral. Tan or whites.
YoungHouseLove says
This post is all about our favorite paint colors- including tan and white categories! Just grab the recommended swatches and see what you like!
xo,
s
Diana says
Hey guys-this is very helpful!!! Can I ask where and how you got your paint decks? Thanks!
Diana
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Diana,
We usually purchase them directly from the companies, and occasionally make our own as explained in this post. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Diana says
Oops just found the answer! Guess I have to pick a brand…we have a huge blank canvas of a new house, but I don’t want to buy 15 decks or give myself that many choices-I’d never make a decison!
Jessica says
Sherry,
Despite your wise words from a year ago, “a tighter color scheme can make your home feel bigger, more open, and a lot more cohesive and welcoming” I think I’m about to let my 9-yr-old son pick a paint color for his upstairs bedroom. He chose a nice blue/gray (50% Steely Gray from Sherwin-Williams, the full-strength was too dark) but nowhere else in the house do you see any version of this color. Is this madness? I want to support his color confidence, interest in his own space, etc. but you do see a bit of his room as you walk up the stairs. I know Clara is not quite to the swatch-selection stage yet, but when she is … what will you do?
YoungHouseLove says
It’s so sweet to let your son pick his own wall color! And since it’s a nice neutral you probably have similar tones throughout the house, you just don’t realize it yet (stainless steel can read as steely gray, as can other electronics like the TV or even a stack of magazines, books, and the faces of various wall and floor mirrors). It’s not like there’s a shot of hot pink in one room that’s not congruent with the rest of your home. We say go for it without hesitation! We definitely agree that supporting your son’s color confidence is the way to go. My mom let me paint clouds on my closet doors and my brother made his whole room orange (trim and ceiling included) and look how we turned out! We can’t wait to see what wacky ideas Clara will have when she exerts her decorating preferences…
xo,
s
Jessica says
You were absolutely right on target, Sherry. Thank you for the vote of confidence and the sweet story of your cloud closets. Not only does the color our son chose look fantastic, he took part in some of the painting and feels really proud of his new room. The steely-gray does read as a neutral AND I am seeing tie-ins already even without his new bedding and art. For instance, all the hardware in our home is brushed nickel, there’s lots of stainless in the kitchen and we have some mercury glass and silver frames here and there. We chose SW’s low VOC paint called Harmony. And who doesn’t need a little of that in every room, right?
YoungHouseLove says
Yay! So glad it worked out! We hope your son loves his choice for years to come (and you do too of course!).
xo,
s
Danielle says
I was at Home Depot today to have them whip up Decorator White for me from Benjamin Moore after reading about it here, but they said their BM computer log didn’t have that color, but Behr did. I bought a gallon of Behr Decorator White… hoping I had just remembered the brand wrong. I came home to check here, and maybe BM dosn’t make that white anymore. I’m hoping the Behr will work just as well to get the perfect white for my kitchen cabinets.
YoungHouseLove says
That’s funny- maybe Home Depot just didn’t have it on file because BM definitely makes a Decorators White (it has an S on the end of Decorator, although I doubt that should make a difference when searching). Perhaps the best way to get some is directly from a BM dealer? Either way, we’re sure the Behr white will look lovely if you choose to use it. Happy painting!
xo,
s
Janice says
hi there! i love your blog and read it religiously every day :) my parents are moving into a “new to them” house and are re-painting the whole house. they currently have oak furniture in their bedroom, and i was wondering what paint colour you would recommend for oak. i was thinking a tan with green-yellow undertones, but i would trust your recommendations over my own! could you recommend a few benjamin moore paint colours? (they will be getting the entire house painted with BM paints). thank you in advance!!
YoungHouseLove says
Absolutely a tan with green-yellow undertones would look lovely. Also sages and celery colors along with warm wheaty tan and golds look great too! Just grab a slew of swatches and see what looks best!
xo,
s
Janice says
Thanks Sherry! Do you have favourites in BM paints for those colours? I get so overwhelmed when I get to the store and see all the different swatches that I don’t even know where to start. Would BM “Soft Fern” work?
YoungHouseLove says
This very post is about our favorite greens, tans, etc- so just pick up the BM ones that we recommend and see what you think!
xo,
s
Lily says
Hi-I have a ranch house with a caramel brown brick on the upper portion,taupe mixed brick on bottom, tan siding, white windows and soffit and faschia. I really would like to unify it. Any suggestions?
YoungHouseLove says
We’d suggest staining, liming, or painting the brick so it matches (perhaps even going with the same tan color as the siding so the whole house feels bigger and more seamless). Just do some googling to see what methods you might want to try. Good luck!
xo,
s
Angie says
I am wanting to paint my little girls room yellow. I have BM cornsilk in my laundry room, and her room is near the laundry room. Hawthorne Yellow seems too bright and seems to clash with the cornsilk. Do you have any suggestions for a soft yellow that would compliment quiet moments( in the hallway) and go with girly colors like pink, blue, and greens? Thanks and I absolutely love your blog. LOVE LOVE IT!
YoungHouseLove says
We’d suggest asking them to cut the Cornsilk formula with 50% more white for a nice softer complementary color for your scheme. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Linda says
Need a solid color stain color for our cedar house. Want a light brown or dark tan – can have a bit of grey undertone, but don’t want it to look purple or orangey. Any suggestions?
Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Linda,
We actually aren’t familiar with stain colors for exteriors, but if you stop by your local home improvement center and bring home the pamphlet or a few swatches and hold them up we’re sure you’ll find something that works! Good luck!
xo,
s
Abbie Watkins says
Hi! I love coming to your site for inspiration. Can you tell me what paint finish you typically use on walls and ceilings? Flat, satin or which? Every designer I ask says something different! I’m sure you’ve answered this question already, so sorry if this is a duplicate. Thanks so much! Abbie
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Abbie,
We use semi gloss on trim, doors, kitchen walls, and bathroom walls while we prefer flat or satin paint for all other rooms.
xo,
s
Reva says
I just want to give a shout-out to my new favorite color, Benjamin Moore’s Gray Cashmere. I think it’s fairly similar to your BM suggestion — Quiet Moments. It’s like floating in a soft sea of aqua grey, and it has quite a bit of dimension, looks more blue at some times, more gray or green in others. Always very soft and pretty. I just painted our bedroom w/ it, and as you can tell, I’m over the moon.
YoungHouseLove says
Sounds delicious! Can’t wait to check it out. Thanks for sharing!
xo,
s
Carrie says
Hey J&S, we’re getting ready to redo our kithen. The inspiration for our “new” kitchen has randomly fallen into my lap. My great-grandmothers red Cosco step stool, my great-grandmothers retro red laminate table, and a retro red/aqua clock I found at Target. The antiques were stored in various outbuildings…I was excited to find them! So, our scheme is going to be red & aqua. I had previously bought Glidden Wishes to paint on the walls, but now am thinking about a very soft aqua? Only other paint colors it has to mesh well with are Water Chestnut & Quiet Moments. Also debating between black or white painted cabinets (black appliances). I tend to like neutral spaces with pops of color. Do you think Wishes would lend itself well to accents of red and aqua? If not, do you have any watery aqua colors to recommend? Thanks…sorry so long! :-)
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yes, Wishes would be a great neutral backdrop… but a light muddy aqua (nothing too pastel-y) would look amazing! We love Restoration Hardware’s Silver Sage, Glidden’s Gentle Tide, and Mythic’s Adanna Aire – so those are a few places to start! Good luck!
xo,
s
Sarah says
We are remodeling our house and we are choosing all Sherwin Williams paint colors (some which include Balanced Beige, Van Dyke Brown/Virtual Taupe, Nomadic Desert-not all within the same vicinity!). We want to paint our trim white. What color white should we paint them? Our floors are a medium color wood laminate and our ceiling will probably be extra white (Sherwin Williams), unless you have a different suggestion for that as well. Also, we have a room in the basement that will be used for an office which our desk is a dark, deep brown (almost looks black). I’m having a tough time trying to find a color that goes with that and our neutral carpet that doesn’t close in the space, but also seems “warm.” Any suggestions? Anything helps! Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Sarah,
We would keep the trim the same color as the ceiling (so one doesn’t look dirty or clashy against the other) so we’d suggest the Extra White for both the ceiling and the trim. And a soft celery or artichoke color looks great with deep dark brown and things like a neutral and warm carpet. Good luck!
xo,
s