The Best Neutral Paint Colors for Any Home
How to choose paint colors? That is one of the most difficult questions in home decor! Colors can look different in each space under various lighting. If they have undertones, that makes it even harder! To make it easy, I specifically choose paints without significant undertones. Here are some of the best neutral paint colors for inside or outside the home.
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So, I chose neutral colors for two main reasons. First, I like the idea of working with a canvas and building a room with contrast and texture.
Second, this is an old home so we were working around some pre-existing components like tan window frames and dark stained deck. Neutral helps all of these things get along.
So what do mean by neutral paint colors? This means colors that do not read specifically warm (reddish pink undertones) or cool (blue or purple undertones). Like me, you may have learned this hard way!
Color is one of the 7 Interior Design Elements so it’s important to choose wisely!
(I used Behr Dolphin Fin in our old home, hoping for gray but ended up with very baby blue thanks to the cool undertones….)
Tried & True Neutral Paint Colors:
Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace
Chantilly Lace is a neutral white, beautiful in many settings. A very true, pure white. In this home, I painted all of our walls Chantilly Lace. I love how it feels like an artist’s canvas and also contrasts against dark colors and woven shades.
Sherwin Williams Pure White
Pure White is technically a neutral white with the slightest touch of warmth so it’s not harsh but not warm enough to be a cream or pinky white.
I used it on all of our window and floor trim. It’s very similar to Chantilly Lace but just a touch warmer, perfect for framing a space.
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Sherwin Williams Iron Ore
Sherwin Williams Iron Ore is a very dark, neutral charcoal gray with no purple or green undertones. This is one of my all time favorite colors that looks great just about anywhere!
We use used Iron Ore on my Office Accent Wall and the color blocked wall in our main bedroom. This shade is one of the best neutral paint colors and is perfect for a bold accent wall!
Sherwin Willams Tricorn Black
Tricorn Black is rich deep dark black, neutral true black. Not purple or red. When someone says black, this is the color you are imagining!
I’ve used Tricorn on the exterior of my previous home and for my Stone Fireplace Refresh as well as my front doors.
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Behr Black Boudoir
This black paint is one of my newest favorites! Black Boudoir is a very rich, velvety neutral black. I love how it creates a very smooth, neutral back drop for artwork and wood.
Sherwin Williams Dorian Gray
I admit, I’m not the biggest fan of gray paint but I’ve added this neutral beauty to my list of favorites. Dorian Gray is a medium dark, neutral gray (that looks way different on the online color cards!).
I just used this to paint my older son’s bedroom (no pics yet!) and I love it for how neutral and calm it feels. Moving forward, I would consider it as a good accent color, like the front door.
More Paint Inspiration
- How to Paint a Stone Fireplace (I used Tricorn Black!)
- Rustoleum Milk Paint Review
- Painted Black Piano (one of my favorite projects – EVER!)
- Benjamin Moore vs. Sherwin Williams