Best 10 Neutral Paint Colors
Muted colors can add sophistication to a room, and while many assume neutral has to mean beige, there are plenty of options that will work in almost any home and in any setting. Neutral wall paint colors are timeless and provide the perfect backdrop for creative accents, whether you like clean bright whites or deep dark grays.
Choosing the right neutral shade can be tricky. Although neutral colors are generally considered safe options, there are still a large number of color options; the wrong shade could alter your look. Fortunately, we are here to help.
Top 10 Neutral Paint Colors
To help you find your favorite shade, here are our top 10 neutral paint colors.
1. Farrow & Ball’s Elephant Breath
Farrow and Ball matte gloss paints are famous for their dependence on light. Elephant’s Breath has a modern feel and will look like a different color when bathed in different lights. It can look almost lilac in rooms that receive natural light at night, slightly beige in a south-facing room, and more gray in a north-facing room.
Due to its changeable nature, this color is universal, no doubt why it has become one of the most popular and recognizable paints on the market. Its versatility, and the fact that it emits different hues throughout the day, would complement well with white piping and accents. Just be sure to test a sample first and check it under different lights and times of day.
Farrow and Ball, Elephant Breath, no. 229
2. Revere Pewter by Benjamin Moore
A grayish beige, often referred to as “greige,” Revere Pewter is one of the most popular neutral colors, often topping interior designers’ favorite paint color lists due to its warm undertones.
Although it is gray, it is softened by brown undertones that add warmth to a room. The light quality makes it suitable for a variety of rooms and it looks great paired with crisp white trim and dark wood.
Benjamin Moore, Revere Pewter, HC-172
JR-stock / Shutterstock
3. Sherwin-Williams doeskin
This warm taupe-mauve is a firm favorite for those who want to add depth to a room while remaining neutral. Beige with pale violet highlights, Doeskin’s subtle pink hue is perfect for making a bedroom feel cozy. It pairs well with other neutrals like cream, gray, and deep brown. The versatility of this color means that you can easily update the style of your room by changing the artwork or changing the bedding.
Sherwin-Williams, Doeskin, SW 6044
4. Stony Ground by Farrow & Ball
As mentioned above, Farrow & Ball paints tend to be chameleonic; colors may change depending on the light. Stony Ground can be read as gray, taupe or green depending on the time of day and adds more depth to a room than a traditional off-white. It’s a good bedroom color because it has an underlying red that adds warmth and creates a beautiful soft beige finish. The color looks great paired with natural woods, soft light tones, and darker accents.
Farrow & Ball, stony ground, No. 211
5. Behr mocha foam
This is a great color if you want more presence in your room than a light beige or off-white offers. Mocha is deeper and darker than a traditional beige, but it adds dimension to a room without making it feel too dark or oppressive. It would work well in a bedroom or living room due to its cozy hues and it looks great paired with earthy colors like greens, creams, and whites.
6. Country Whitewash by Valspar
If you love the all-white look but are concerned that it will make your home feel clinical and sterile, try an off-white. Off-white adds a subtle, warm hue to a room, making it appear less institutional than a bright white or cooler-toned one. Country Whitewash pairs well with most colors and would make a great neutral for living rooms, kitchens, or hallways.
Valspar, Country Whitewash, 6008-1A
7. Benjamin Moore’s Beige Shaker
Add a statement to your bathroom while creating soothing spa vibes. This color is a great sand beige with a beautiful orange undertone that makes it a good color for the entire surface. Shaker Beige is great for bathrooms because it’s bright and warm, which works well against a white vanity, toilet, tub, or shower. This color can also work well in a living room against stone and natural features, adding comfort to your family room.
Benjamin Moore, Shaker Beige, HC-45
PavelShynkarou / Shutterstock
8. Farrow & Ball Pale Powder
This is another example of a color-tipped neutral with a lot of versatility. Pale Powder can look almost white in large, bright spaces and more blue / green in smaller ones. Green undertones keep this color from feeling too cold or lifeless. Try it in a bedroom or even on the ceiling to add softness to a room. There is a reason this is one of Farrow & Ball’s most popular paints. It adds a sense of calm and relaxation to a room and can make small spaces feel instantly more spacious.
Farrow & Ball, Pale Powder, No. 204
9. PPG Paints Smoke Swirl
Swirling Smoke is a great gray option for open floor plans and can be used throughout the room or on a single wall as an accent. This shade beautifully incorporates earth tones like yellow and green. It can also work great in bedrooms if you want to evoke a sense of calm. The soothing gray shade would be perfect for creating a cozy and minimalist room, giving the feeling of clean openness.
PPG Paints, swirling smoke, PPG1007-2
10. Graphic Charcoal by Behr
This dark gray injects bold and rich qualities into a room. It’s modern and great for an industrial setting by adding stylish drama to the walls. Use it for the bedroom, kitchen, and common areas like hallways and entryways. For a clean, crisp finish, stick with white trim, or add oranges and yellows for a dramatic effect. The recent white-on-white trend can sometimes benefit from a deeper neutral background, and Graphic Charcoal is a great option.
Behr, graphic charcoal, N500-6
Artazum / Shutterstock
The bottom line
Too often, neutrals are seen as boring and confident. But the best neutral paint colors can add more vibrancy and openness to a room than their bolder counterparts. Neutrals also allow you to show your personality through your decorations, accents, and bedroom accessories.
Neutral colors also work if you are thinking of putting your home on the market. They show your home in the best light and allow the buyer to visualize their own decoration in the interior. Whether you’re looking for a bold gray or light beige, there are so many different shades that it can be tricky to choose the one that best suits your style and setting.
