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20 Best Interior Paint Colors Most Popular With Decorating Experts

Designers reveal their personal favorite paint colors for every interior room

When it comes to naming the best interior paint colors, there's an insurmountable number of hues from which to choose. We asked design experts to share the most popular paint colors of 2023 and why they're drawn to such shades.

Best interior paint colors

The Spruce

Trending this year are various shades of blue and green as well as brighter, more vibrant colors, including reds, oranges, and yellows. Additionally, we'll be seeing more creamy hues instead of traditional neutrals such as white and gray. Read on to learn more about these paint color trends and determine which shades would look best in your own home.

How to Choose the Best Paint Color

When selecting a paint color, it's important to consider versatility. The colors featured below all work with a broad range of interior styles, so there is an option for you below no matter your existing design aesthetic. They also pair well with a range of complementary colors. Additionally, these hues are ideal for use all throughout the home, and shine on accent walls or when used all throughout a room.

  • 01 of 20

    Glidden Chalky Blue

    Glidden Chalky Blue Bathroom Paint

    The Spruce / Photo Illustration by Sabrina Jiang / Glidden

    Paintzen color expert Kristen Chuber shares her top paint color, which is a dusty Chalky Blue (1153-5) by PPG Paints.

    "Somewhere between blue and gray, this velvety shade can actually be used as a neutral. It looks beautiful with bright white trim, but maybe even more impactful with rich, black accents. We have also seen this shade used beautifully in a monochromatic palette, alongside other shades of blue-gray, both on the lighter and darker side of the spectrum," Chuber says.

    Try using this hue to paint your kitchen, one of your bathrooms, or the bedroom.

  • 02 of 20

    Benjamin Moore Flora

    Benjamin Moore Flora Paint

    The Spruce / Photo Illustration by Sabrina Jiang / Benjamin Moore

    If you are looking for that perfect muted shade of green, interior designer Rebecca West from Seriously Happy Homes suggests Flora (AF 470) by Benjamin Moore.

    "The blue-green paint is rich without being too dark, and earthy without feeling too heavy. It pairs beautifully with medium and dark wood tones and works with a broad range of interior styles from traditional to modern," West says.

    You can never go wrong with soft sage-colored paint, and it can instantly make any room feel more soothing and relaxing.

  • 03 of 20

    Glidden Blaze

    Glidden Blaze Bedroom Paint

    The Spruce / Photo Illustration by Sabrina Jiang / Glidden

    Blaze (PPG 13-16) is a favorite of Glidden color expert Ashley McCollum.

    "It's a bright, candy apple red, making it the perfect paint color to bring a pop of color to any space," she says. "The color's warm undertones make it the perfect partner to bright whites or sandy neutrals, which can help keep Blaze in bounds," McCollum says.

    McCollum recommends using Blaze on an accent wall, ceiling, or even on the front door.

  • 04 of 20

    Benjamin Moore Alaskan Husky

    Benjamin Moore Alaskan Husky paint

    The Spruce / Photo Illustration by Sabrina Jiang / Benjamin Moore

    "There are a small number of timeless and classic shades we always find ourselves coming back to when searching for the perfect neutral," says Alicia Weaver of Alicia Weaver Design. "Alaskan Husky (1479) by Benjamin Moore is one of them. It is a classic shade of gray that complements accent colors."

    Light silvery grays work beautifully in guest bedrooms and foyers.

    Continue to 5 of 20 below
  • 05 of 20

    Farrow & Ball Card Room Green

    Farrow & Ball Card Room Green

    The Spruce / Photo Illustration by Sabrina Jiang / Farrow & Ball

    Interior designer and color expert Moll Anderson, believes in the power of green paint. She says the color gives us a sense of balance that is both calming and relaxing. One paint color that is found to be particularly therapeutic is Card Room Green (No. 79) by Farrow & Ball. This dark green color harmonizes perfectly with tones of gray, mustard, and pebble.

  • 06 of 20

    Benjamin Moore Gentleman's Gray

    Benjamin Moore Gentleman's Gray

    The Spruce / Photo Illustration by Sabrina Jiang / Benjamin Moore

    Susan Williams, an interior designer at Siren Betty Design, first used Gentleman's Gray (2062-20), a dark blue by Benjamin Moore when designing rooms for a local bed-and-breakfast. Shortly after, everyone at her company fell heads over heels for the shade.

    "We loved it so much that we painted our office wall the same color. We think it looks especially great in a gloss finish—the way the light reflects off it is gorgeous and gives any room a lot of character," Williams says.

    A blueish gray this deep gives a serene, comforting vibe, which works well in a bedroom.

  • 07 of 20

    PPG Paints Whiskers

    PPG Paints Whiskers

    The Spruce / Photo Illustration by Sabrina Jiang / PPG Paints

    Nuanced neutrals, like this soft greige, can inspire comfort, according to Dee Schlotter. Pale colors are also fueling a hot home trend thanks to the growing popular popularity of the hygge movement, a Danish concept that promotes happiness by focusing on creating cozy contentment and overall well-being.

    "One paint color that is representative of hygge is Whiskers (1025-3) by PPG Paints. It is a subtle shade of greige, perfect for enveloping a room and making it feel like a cozy retreat," Schlotter says.

  • 08 of 20

    Sherwin-Williams Alabaster

    Sherwin Williams Alabaster

    The Spruce / Photo Illustration by Sabrina Jiang / Lisa Flood

    What is the perfect warm white paint color for homes with a north-facing view? 

    "Alabaster (7008) by Sherwin-Williams is my go-to white to warm things up for a northern exposure," says interior designer Claudia Leah.

    You can't go wrong with a lovely creamy white, no matter what room you choose.

    Continue to 9 of 20 below
  • 09 of 20

    Sherwin-Williams Poised Taupe

    Sherwin Williams Poised Taupe

    The Spruce / Photo Illustration by Sabrina Jiang / Sherwin Williams

    Sherwin-Williams color trend expert Sue Wadden considers Poised Taupe (6039) a gorgeous neutral paint color with timeless versatility and broad appeal.

    "It's a lovely color that people fall hard for because the shade is very easy to live with—it is stunning paired with white. It also works well with a palette of blues, especially denim and country blue colors," Wadden says.

    Tip

    The color taupe also works in homes inspired by retro colors including terra-cotta orange, avocado, pink, and mauve.

  • 10 of 20

    Farrow & Ball Hague Blue

    Farrow & Ball Hague Blue

    The Spruce / Photo Illustration by Sabrina Jiang / Mike Schwartz

    Krista Nye Nicholas of Cloth & Kind describes Hague Blue (No. 30) as "one of those fantastic chameleon-like hues." Its appearance is affected by the amount of sunlight within a space.

    "In darker lighting, it appears rich and moody but in the light of day, especially in a higher sheen finish, it conjures images of a vast blue-green ocean with rays of light bouncing off the waves," Nicholas says.

    Jennie Bishop of Studio Gild shares similar sentiments. "This chameleon effect allows it to flatter in a wide range of settings making it to be a very easy color to introduce as a main or accent," she says.

  • 11 of 20

    Sherwin-Williams Forged Steel

    Sherwin Williams Forged Steel

    The Spruce / Photo Illustration by Sabrina Jiang / Sherwin Williams

    Rachel Cannon of Rachel Cannon Limited says that Forged Steel (9565), a beautiful deep gray, would shine in a powder room in particular.

    "I'd paint every surface that color—including ceilings—just for the drama," she says. "Mix it with unlacquered brass fixtures, and if you're feeling fancy, add a grosgrain ribbon trim in something like a bright fuschia around the perimeter of each wall with brass nailheads," Cannon says. "It would be a showstopper."

  • 12 of 20

    Farrow & Ball Brinjal

    Farrow and Ball Brinjal

    The Spruce / Photo Illustration by Sabrina Jiang / Chad Dorsey Design

    Chad Dorsey of Chad Dorsey Design selected Brinjal (No. 222) for a wine bar because of its resemblance to a rich Bordeaux wine. He advises coating a room's trim, walls, and ceilings with the hue, as illustrated here.

    "Applying to all the surfaces is actually more soothing and less severe which is the opposite of how using a bold color is perceived," Dorsey says.

    Continue to 13 of 20 below
  • 13 of 20

    Benjamin Moore Palladian Blue

    Benjamin Moore Palladian Blue

    The Spruce / Photo Illustration by Sabrina Jiang / Emily Sturgess Design

    Designer Emily Sturgess, the founder of Emily Sturgess Design, appreciates the versatility of Palladian Blue (HC-144) by Benjamin Moore.

    "It can read more green or blue depending on the light but it always carries an amount of freshness to lift any space," she says.

    The color will automatically brighten up any space. "I love to use this color in children's rooms, mud rooms or baths that need a little color spark," Sturgess says. "I like to pair it with bright white trim to let the color's depth of tone shine."

  • 14 of 20

    Benjamin Moore Sunlit Coral

    Benjamin Moore Sunlit Coral

    The Spruce / Photo Illustration by Sabrina Jiang / Benjamin Moore

    Sunlit Coral (2170-60), is a bright pink with a hint of orange that can be described as "charming, playful, and optimistic," says Hannah Yeo, color marketing and development manager at Benjamin Moore. "Its creamy undertone makes it soft and approachable, yet it still has enough colorant that catches your eye," she says.

    Yeo adds that the hue looks excellent alongside with warm wood-tones and gold hues but also shines amongst navy, gray, and greenery. Just don't keep the color tucked away behind closed doors. As Yeo says, "Sunlit Coral brings cheer and joy, making it an ideal color for social spaces."

  • 15 of 20

    Benjamin Moore Ruby Red

    Benjamin Moore Ruby Red Paint

    The Spruce / Photo Illustration by Sabrina Jiang / Christopher Stark

    Gioi Tran, co-founder of Applegate Tran Interiors, appreciates this vibrant hue that is Benjamin Moore Ruby Red (2001-10), which he recently incorporated into a breakfast room.

    "Rich deep reds evoke passion and playfulness," he says. "This color is the perfect true red, not too purple, and just the right amount of orange!"

  • 16 of 20

    Sherwin-Williams Morning Sun

    Sherwin Williams Morning Sun

    The Spruce / Photo Illustration by Sabrina Jiang / Sherwin Williams

    Wadden appreciates how Morning Sun (6672) "has a magical ability to enhance natural light, brightening up even the dullest of corners." The soft color is "like adding a touch of sunshine to your room all year round," she says.

    Best of all, the shade complements a number of accent colors wonderfully, allowing for maximum creativity, according to Wadden.

    Continue to 17 of 20 below
  • 17 of 20

    Benjamin Moore Heritage Red

    Benjamin Moore Heritage Red

    The Spruce / Photo Illustration by Sabrina Jiang / Benjamin Moore

    Benjamin Moore Heritage Red (HC-181) is a color that Maneli Wilson, founder of Eye on Design and Antiques, describes as "a perfect deep and true red."

    Wilson incorporated this color into her own design office and store. "As you walk in, your eye is taken right to this striking red wall," she says. "It's a conversation starter! 

  • 18 of 20

    Benjamin Moore Metropolitan

    Benjamin Moore Metropolitan

    The Spruce / Photo Illustration by Sabrina Jiang / Benjamin Moore

    Those who appreciate the color gray will be drawn to Metropolitan (AF-690), which many call the ‘perfect gray’ under neutral light, according to Yeo. This cool, mid-tone gray color has a slight green undertone.

    "Metropolitan is harmonious, quiet, and effortlessly sophisticated," Yeo adds. "It’s also notably versatile, pairing well with various hues, textures and patterns."

    Try it alongside neutrals or bold colors, whichever are more in line with your aesthetic.

  • 19 of 20

    Benjamin Moore Hollywood Gold

    Benjamin Moore Hollywood Gold

    The Spruce / Photo Illustration by Sabrina Jiang / Michael J Lee

    Robin Gannon of Robin Gannon Interiors appreciates that Benjamin Moore Hollywood Gold (279) serves as a nice alternative to traditional bright yellow.

    "We love yellow, but sometimes the canary and butter tones are polarizing, as we find yellow a tricky color for most homeowners," she says. "This shade feels warm, rich, and inviting."

  • 20 of 20

    Portola Paints Merida Lime Wash

    Portola Paints Media Lime Wash

    The Spruce / Photo Illustration by Sabrina Jiang / Kirsten Francis

    This terra-cotta red is a color that Isy Runsewe, the founder of Isy's Interiors, likes to pair with neutrals.

    "The very mention of red can evoke a sense of fear, but selecting just the right tone of red can instantly change the space from garish to sophisticated," she says.

FAQ
  • What color is the most popular interior paint color?

    There is no one most popular paint color among designers, but neutrals are widely appreciated and complement a range of spaces and styles.

  • What paint color is best for the living room?

    A neutral hue is best for the living room, as furniture in a space may be colorful or patterned and neutral colors complement a wide range of designs.

  • What paint color will make a room look bigger?

    Bright, light colors, including whites and off whites, are known for making a room look more spacious.

  • What are the most cozy interior paint colors?

    Warm colors, such as yellows, oranges, and reds, are associated with cozy spaces.

  • What color is replacing gray in 2023?

    Warm neutrals, such as cream, will replace the cool neutrals of years past.