11 Paint Colors Designers Pick for Their Own Homes

Though Philadelphia-based Larina Kase of the full service boutique firm Larina Kase Interior Design loves white, she sought to make her family room, which has tall tray ceilings, a tad cozier. Her paint solution? Benjamin Moore Alaskan Husky, a pale gray with blue/green undertones. “It’s light, bright, and crisp but with a warmer feel than white,” Kase explains. The shade also brings elegant balance to the toasty wood floors and picks up the aqua accents in the furnishings and artwork.

Related: 9 Clever Ways to Counteract Low Ceilings

The secret to successfully pulling off strong colors, according to Sharon Radovich, owner of Panache Interiors in Austin, Texas, lies in putting a powerful shade with a softer, neutral one. In the horizontally striped sitting room of her vintage cottage, Radovich paired two shades by Sherwin Williams: Torchlight and Cream.  “That shade of gold is simultaneously uplifting and grounding, great for this space, which I often use for socializing,” she says. “And the stripes add a fun, contemporary vibe.”

Related: If This, Then That: Your Guide to Pairing Paint Colors

While color is key, Denise Gordon, creative director of The Organized Home by Denise Gordon and lifestyle editor of CocoaFab.com, believes finish is equally important. The Brooklyn, New York-based interior designer chose two shades of gray for her master bedroom, the cooler tones of Sherwin Williams Essential Gray in an eggshell finish on the walls and darker Grizzle Gray in semi-gloss for the fireplace. “The colors and finishes work together to let the fireplace stand out prominently in the room,” Gordon explains. “It became the feature with that slight touch of attitude we were going for.” For ceiling and trim, Gordon selected in Sherwin Williams Nebulous White, in semi-gloss, to make the space look brighter.

Related: Editors' Picks: The 9 Greatest Grays for Your Next Paint Job

“For our new library, we were going for a dark, sexy, menswear vibe with tufted leather and brass hardware,” says Meredith McBride Kipp, a designer, stylist, and decor blogger based in New Jersey. “We did the floor-to-ceiling built-in bookshelves in Benjamin Moore Deep Space. It’s a deep charcoal gray with the subtlest hint of a slate blue that pairs well with the crisp white trim and ceiling.”

Related: 11 Problems You Can Solve with Paint

It was a challenge for Jennifer Vreeland McDermott to find the right shade for the walls of her kitchen, which features white cabinets, a slate floor, and white-and-cobalt blue accent tiles. “I wanted a neutral other than white, and nothing in the gray family worked, nor did tan or beige,” says the owner of Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey-based full-service interior design firm JV Design. Ultimately she opted for Farrow & Ball Ringwold Ground. “It’s a rich cream that blends with everything,” she says. Another advantage: “I doubt that this color will ever get dated—it’s the ideal neutral.”

Related: 10 Unusual Tricks for Your Easiest-Ever Paint Job

Committing to a bold color choice can be intimidating, so Danielle Coleman, an independent interior designer in Island Park, Illinois, suggests going for it in a small room. “I like more neutral shades in big spaces, but I'll go bold in smaller rooms—that way it's easier to repaint if I change my mind,” she explains. Case in point: Coleman used Behr Premium Plus Ultra in Blue Metal, in a semi-gloss sheen, for the walls and vanity of her master bathroom. “The bath has high white wainscoting and white marble tile, so I wanted a dark color to warm things up and provide a stark contrast,” she says. Designer-to- DIYer tip: “Having the walls match the vanity makes the vanity feel that much more custom,” Coleman says.

Related: 12 Easy Fixes for a Botched Paint Job

Discover and admire beautiful and innovative home architecture, from grand Victorians to quaint cabins and all the styles in between. Take a look at the latest images and inspiration!