Inspiration straight from designers.
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Choosing the right paint colors in your home can make all the difference in lifting your mood and setting a scene. It's the backdrop for all of your interiors, which is where you live, after all. So skip the do-overs and pick the perfect paint color the first time around by doing a little research and sussing out the options before you lay out your drop cloth and don your white overalls. The good news is you're in the right place for that. There are a million hard decisions to make when it comes to picking the perfect color, but no matter what space, shade, or aesthetic you're looking for, our guide to the best paint colors for every room in the house will point you in the right direction. We compiled all of our best paint color advice in one place and organized it by room to make it even easier. So take a virtual tour and go room-hopping to get inspired by the designer-approved paint colors below. Let's start in the entryway.
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Designer Jae Joo brightened up this old Boston Rowhouse with a fresh coat of ultra-light mint green paint. The warmth of the exposed brick accent wall, railing, artwork, and dresser fill the space with character and history for a smooth balance.
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BUY NOW Farrow & Ball Cromarty, $110
This entryway designed by Garrow Kedigian is whimsical yet elegant, thanks to the drawn-on moldings. Matte black walk paint gives the space a moody, intimate atmosphere to contrast the more playful elements for a balanced whole.
BUY NOW Annie Sloan Black Chalk Paint, $43
Intense, eye-catching, and adventurous, the neon pink walls in this townhouse designed by Jonathan Berger make quite the first impression. Use it in a foyer for a warm, welcoming, impossible-to-forget entrance, or to embolden a lackluster hallway.
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BUY NOW Benjamin Moore Peony, $45
These high-gloss green walls in a hallway designed by Christina Murphy are such a fun surprise and make an otherwise boring transitional space feel fun.
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BUY NOW Behr High-Gloss Sparkling Apple, $34
Kim Alexandruik's motto is to "go for impact." Use it as an opportunity to play with unusual seating and colorful artwork that may be harder to integrate into other rooms. Her color of choice is a "putty-colored gray, with a hint of pink and lavender. Not too light, so it doesn't go vapid," says Aleandruik. Use this hallway designed by Mally Skok as inspiration.
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BUY NOW Farrow & Ball Elephant's Breath 229, $110
The plum cabinetry in this mudroom designed by Whittney Parkinson gives the area a calming presence. When paired with wicker baskets and brown tiled flooring, it's even more earthy and homey.
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BUY NOW Farrow & Ball Brinjal 222, $110
If you're feeling adventurous, color-block with two bold shades. Follow this living room by Katie Brown as an example, using the fresh color combination of fire engine red and violet in this space. And see how the pillows tie everything together so nicely? That's another great way to approach the living room design process: Start with a fun pair of throw pillows and then pull out your two favorite colors to highlight on the walls and ceiling.
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BUY NOW Benjamin Moore Exotic Fuschia, $80
Game rooms should be fun, so don't shy away from color! Designer and homeowner Fitz Pullins opted for a bold blue that's perfect for both daytime fun and dressier evenings. That neon light in the corner is a nice touch, too.
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BUY NOW Benjamin Moore Washington Blue, $47
When you want a light neutral but find white too stark and beige too boring, opt for a super pale shade of green. Green-infused grays will feel like a breath of fresh air and adds just the right touch of intrigue as a backdrop for the gallery wall in this living room designed by Tamsin Johnson.
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BUY NOW Farrow & Ball Mizzle, $110
The artwork in this living room designed by Kingston Lafferty truly comes to life when paired with the color-blocked ceiling, walls, and fireplace, the sputnik light, and patterned chairs. In fact, the space itself is like a work of art. To replicate this look, opt for a lighter shade of blue on the largest section of the wall and then a more saturated shade of blue on a small piece, like a fireplace.
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BUY NOW Benjamin Moore Waterloo, $80
No color creates a soothing atmosphere quite like sage green. Use it in your living room or in a library, as designer Melanie Turner did here in a historic Atlanta home's scrapbook-filled study. Paired with cozy seating of a similar color and a fireplace, the space makes for an ideal nook to sit down and get lost in a book.
BUY NOW Farrow & Ball Calke Green, $110
Hand-painted murals can mimic the effect of wallpaper by introducing a story and pattern. But it's also safer inn splash zones like the kitchen, where wallpaper may feel a little more risky for some. Here, the lavender swirls of paint on a buttercream backdrop complement the elaborate blue chandelier, too. Then the classic, neutral cabinets and island ground the space.
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BUY NOW Glidden Violet Shimmer, $23
In this midcentury Hudson Valley home, GRT Architects painted all the walls and windows a low gloss black to foreground the view and accentuate the large windows. The inky tone also helps contemporize and dress up the family kitchen.
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BUY NOW Portola Paints Utlra Flat Acrylic Sample, $10
Verdant and fresh, there's a reason green works in every room. Pick between lime, pea, and clover for a nature-inspired space. If you aren't sure about covering the whole room in something so wild, just paint the trims and/or doors. In this energizing kitchen designed by Anna Spiro, the pops of high-gloss Kelly green do the trick.
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BUY NOW Benjamin Moore Peppermint Leaf, $80
Avoid ho-hum neutrals. These go-to basics feature a few surprises, like a smoky lavender, moss green, and chocolate brown. In this galley kitchen designed by Heidi Caillier, the smoky paint brings some polish and formality.
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BUY NOW Farrow & Ball Plummett, $110
Even kitchens can have a little fun—every color of the rainbow is fair game. We love this goldenrod yellow that picks up on some of the colors in the wallpaper of this Rita Konig-designed kitchen.
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BUY NOW Farrow & Ball Dutch Orange, $110
A vivid green scheme instantly commands attention, making it the perfect choice for a kitchen conceived for entertaining. Take note of this one designed by SuzAnn Kletzien. The cabinets, crown and base moldings, and window trim are all painted in Benjamin Moore's Hunter Green in a satin finish. "It's a very appetizing color," Kletzien says.
BUY NOW Benjamin Moore Hunter Green 2041-10, $47
Don't neglect your pantry—it could use a fresh coat of paint, too. Consider covering exposed shelving in a bright orange hue for an unexpected and playful pop in a room that's often fairly dull. In this pantry, Pulp Design Studio used Sherwin-Williams Daredevil in a satin finish.
BUY NOW Sherwin-Williams Daredevil 6882, $71
In a formal dining room, choose something regal, like a deep royal blue. In this space by Cameron Ruppert Interiors, the glossy, luxe paint dresses up the bohemian upholstery and light area rug for approachable fine dining.
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BUY NOW Fine Paints of Europe Hollandac Brilliant (Price Upon Request)
In a casual apartment dining nook designed by Emil Dervish, a pop of burnt orange spices up the entire area. The deep red and brown undertones keep things edgy and streamlined but make it just a touch more cheerful. The steel blue sconce adds a quirky touch while the concrete planter stays in line with the industrial vibe.
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BUY NOW Benjamin Moore Ravishing Red, $80
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