My Top 20 Favorite Neutral Paint Colors

May 29, 2020

Oh, the hunt for just the right neutral paint color for your home. For any novice, you’d think that finding a light color to paint your walls would be easy, but one step into the neutral world of paint and you’re falling down a never-ending hole of hue options.

Rightly so – it can be so tricky! You want a color that can do a lot, that works well with the amount of natural light in the room, flows with your flooring and furniture, and more. And while many neutrals may look similar to the (naked) eye, after only a bit of time it quickly becomes obvious that the differences are real.

Don’t fret though, I’m here to help guide the way! I’ve done the dirty work for you and rounded up my go-to neutrals that have yet to fail me. These are absolute gems and great shades to start with as you begin your paint journey.

First up, cool neutrals, followed by warm neutrals. Cool neutrals have undertones of blue and green, and warmer neutrals have undertones of yellow, red, or orange. Warmer colors give a bit more of a cozy feel while cooler colors recede and make the space feel larger. If you don’t get a lot of natural light, I would lean more toward the warmer tones when selecting a paint color as your room will be a bit grey, to begin with. This helps balance it out.

Cool Neutrals

**Gray Owl – Benjamin Moore OC-52 // photo: Emily Henderson**

**Stonington Gray – Benjamin Moore HC-170 // photo: Jenna kate at home**

**Sea Salt – Sherwin Williams 6204 // photo: Studio McGee**

Warm Neutrals

**Classic Gray – Benjamin Moore OC-23 // photo: Home Bunch**

**Repose Gray – Sherwin Williams 7015 (the cabinetry) // Design: Finding Lovely photo by: Madison Rae**

**Revere Pewter – Benjamin Moore HC-172 // Design: Oh, I Design Studio’s South End Project** **photo: Joyelle West**

**Edgecomb Gray – Benjamin Moore HC-173 // Design: Oh, I Design Studio’s Formal Living Room Project photo: Joyelle West**

**Cloud Cover – Benjamin Moore OC-25 // Design: Studio McGee**

Whites

**Decorator’s White – Benjamin Moore OC-149 // photo: Our Vermont Family Room Project**

Bright and Modern Dining Room — **Simply White – Benjamin Moore OC-117 // Design: Oh, I Design Studio’s Back Bay Renovation Project photo: Joyelle West**

**White Dove – Benjamin Moore OC-17 // Design: Emily of MStarr Design‘s GORGEOUS Living Room**

**Another Example of White Dove – Benjamin Moore OC-17 // Design by: Sashya of ID8 Studio photo by: Joyelle West**

**Alabaster – Sherwin Williams 7008 // photo: The Harper House**

**Chantilly Lace – Benjamin Moore OC-65 // photo: Studio McGee**

Dark Greys & Blacks

**Chelsea Gray – Benjamin Moore HC-168 // Design: Oh, I Design Studio’s Wellesley Residence Project** **photo: Joyelle West**

**Kendall Charcoal – Benjamin Moore HC-166 // photo: Home Bunch**

**Wrought Iron – Benjamin Moore 2124-10 // photo: Lows to Luxe**

**Tricorn Black – Sherwin Williams 6258 // photo: Home Bunch**

Don’t hesitate to reach out anytime with any paint color questions! I’m happy to help and love to discuss!

Interested in more paint information? Check out these helpful posts here:

COMMENTS

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Mary

May 29, 2020 at 3:50 pm

Love that you’ve rounded up so many all-star color options in one place! We have BM’s Simply White in our kitchen and Owl Gray in our bedroom and LOVE both. Bookmarking the Kendall now 😉

jessica

May 29, 2020 at 4:06 pm

You are too kind, my friend! I love the colors you chose for your home! hope to see them again soon in person. 😉