With my number one question (by a landslide) of “what color paint did you use?”, this post has been a looooong time comin’. I try to always add room colors at the bottom of home tours and keep the information available on my room source pages, but with new readers (or regular readers who may have missed it), I wanted to come up with a resource of all the colors, together, along with my honest thoughts after having lived with most of them for three years. Spoiler- I’m not crazy about all of them. Or, at least in my house. So, here it is, friends! The comprehensive list of paint colors throughout my home.
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When we were building our home, I made too many mistakes by “just wanting it all done”. I basically wanted to move into a fully furnished, entirely painted-the-way-I-wanted-it home in less than 24 hours. I shopped ahead of time (and made mistakes), I prioritized some things while not prioritizing others (and made mistakes), and I paid too much for our builder to paint rooms (and made mistakes). I can preach it now (and don’t laugh) but I picked out all of our original paint colors in about 15 minutes from paint swatches. PAINT SWATCHES! And as you go through the post, you will see just why that is a bad idea- most of the time, the result is far from what a little paint chip/computer screen will show. I lucked out with my hasty decisions in some areas but others, I had a pit in my stomach as I saw the paint going up. Will I do it differently next time? Uhh, yea! Since then, I have slowly changed some rooms but not before investing in multiple samples and testing against light, different times of day, different parts of the room, etc. Before we jump right in, here are a few things to keep in mind.
CAVEATS, LESSONS, & TIPS
- The paint finish can vary the shade/color of the paint. Aside from my master bedroom (and trim), most of my walls are a flat/matte
- Do not rely on a paint swatch (or even worse, your computer screen) to choose a paint color. You’ll see how different they look throughout the post in real life versus an on-screen swatch
- Paint colors will look different (darker/lighter), with different tones (warmer/cooler/different undertones) as the light changes. Example- my breakfast nook looks totally different in the indirect morning light vs. the late afternoon direct light. At night, it looks about 50 shades darker (no pun intended 😉 ). My great room paint looks several shades lighter/darker in one line of sight, just because some areas are more shadowy/further from the window.
- Colors in your home may look different than the same colors in someone else’s home. Light isn’t the only thing that will change the way a room looks; furnishings and decor can make a room look brighter/darker or vibrant/dull.
- Photography can alter how a room appears in real life. You have probably noticed that content creators/photographers have their own photo style. Some are dark and moody, some are light and airy… exposure, shadows, contrast, etc. can affect the brightness and tones of colors. I try to edit my pictures accurately to what I see in real life but undoubtedly, there will likely be some variance from time to time. Moral of the story- don’t rush out and buy 10 gallons of paint based on a photo you saw online.
Ok, now that I’ve gotten all that out of the way, I’ll take you through each color in my home – where it appears and how I feel about them.
THE INTERIOR PAINT COLORS
(Where is it? Trim throughout the House; Built-Ins)
With the exception of our master bedroom, Creamy (SW 7012) is the trim color throughout our house. It is a beautiful white, especially against darker colors, BUT, if you put it up against a stark/bright white, it will look yellow(ish). A lot of people use it on cabinets; here, you can really tell what it looks like against on our built-ins against our greige walls.
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(Where is it? Great Room; Foyer; Sitting Room; Downstairs Guest Bedroom; Bathrooms; Upstairs and Hallways – any room/space that isn’t featured)
Versatile Gray (SW 6072) is the color I chose for the bulk of our home. Any rooms/hallways you don’t see on this list will be this color. It is a greige (as indicated in the name) – part gray, part beige. I am happy with this color… well, in most rooms of the house. In our great room– yes. The wall of windows brightens it up and it doesn’t feel dark. (PS- see how many different shades and tones you see in this photo? This is all the same paint color- even upstairs on the catwalk.)
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Our sitting room is just off the great room and it too is Versatile Gray. The windows face a different direction and it does look a little darker but I like the color in here. By the way, yes, my ceilings are all painted the same color as the walls.
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The guest bedroom off the sitting room looks similar in color, but both look a little darker than the great room.
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(Where is it? Kitchen; Breakfast Nook)
Perfect Greige (SW 6073) is on the same paint chip as Versatile Gray – just one shade darker. One of the reasons I wish we had waited on paying a premium to paint all the rooms in our home non-standard colors is I didn’t realize how dark our kitchen would be. Aside from the windows on the other side of the room in the breakfast nook, this space has zero natural light. It’s brightest around 9:00 a.m. but is a shadowy, central hub 95% of the time. Most of my kitchen photos are taken super early and/or I use a really slow shutter speed ;).
Here’s the thing, though. With our creamy colored cabinets (description, not the actual paint color mentioned above), they actually go really well with the wall color. (PS: I do not know the color of our cabinets). I went from hating our kitchen to really liking it all over again. There are still some traditional elements that I plan to update a little bit (without going full-on kitchen reno) but wait… there I go, getting off track haha. That’ll be for another day 😉
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The breakfast nook (also in Perfect Greige) gets a little more light but since it’s indirect for the majority of the day, it stays on the darker/shadowy end of the spectrum. I would like to update a few pieces in here to make things a little brighter. Bottom line – if you are looking for light and bright, this is likely not the color for you (especially if your room doesn’t get a lot of natural light).
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(Where is it? Office)
On the Rocks (SW 7671) is the last gray in our house but is more of a light, true gray. No blue/green/purple undertones. I painted our office in this color during a room makeover (HERE) and love the color. The one thing I will say is that I actually left the trim color the same as the rest of the house and I sometimes wish I had gone lighter/less creamy.
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(Where is it? Blue & White Guest Bedroom; White Guest Bedroom)
My love affair with white walls started about two years ago when I made over my guest bedroom. I used Sherwin Williams’ Color of the Year, Alabaster (SW 7008), to paint one of our guest bedrooms (HERE). It’s a warmer white and is actually similar in color to our trim, Creamy. I absolutely love it in this bedroom, which gets a LOT of natural light. As a warning, if you have ivory bedding/linens, it will probably make them look yellow.
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When I made over a second guest bedroom (HERE), I just went for it since I loved it in the previous room. This room, while adjoined to the other via a jack and jill bath, actually sits on the back of the house and gets FAR less light. While I still like it, it tends to have a little more translucent/yellowish cast in here.
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(Where is it? Master Bedroom; Toilet Room)
Our master bedroom is painted in my favorite color in the house, Simply White (OC- 117) by Benjamin Moore. It’s the most pure white we have – but beautiful and smooth – not too cool or too warm. Our master bedroom sits above the kitchen and also stays dark; again, aside from a deck door, our only windows mimic those in the breakfast nook. Light has to make its way across the entire room to reach the other side. I wanted to brighten it up, desperately. Here is what it looked like before, in Versatile Gray. Remember, this is the same color that is in my great room.
And here is what it looks like today, made over in Simply White.
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You can see the full reveal HERE and the makeover week where I chose paint HERE. I slathered the entire room (trim, molding, doors) in the same color. This is also the only color I have painted in eggshell – a decision due to all the trimwork. From now on, I will likely be painting white rooms in that finish; it just keeps the walls from looking too dull and translucent.
When I took on the small toilet room inside my bathroom (dark with zero light), I had just enough Simply White left over to use it for this project, too.
Scroll & Tap to Get the Look
(Where is it? Dining Room)
This is perhaps my biggest love/hate paint relationship within the walls of our house. I had envisioned a pale blue dining room for far too long and was stoked to make it a reality. When I was choosing paint colors, my first selection was a barely-there toned blue (I have no idea the name). Our consultant looked at me (well, kind of like I was an idiot) and said “you can barely even tell it’s blue”. That was kind of the point. But, having more embarrassment than backbone, I conceded and went a little darker which seemed to appease her attitude of “it’s not a color unless it’s in your face”. This was one of those “holy cow” moments – walking into an empty-and-under-construction home to see walls way more vibrant that I had anticipated. We actually lucked out that this is the brightest room in the house so it helps wash out some of the color. But, at night or evening when the room is dark, the blue paint is also way more prominent. Do I love my dining room? Yes. Would I pick this color again? No. Lauren’s Surprise (SW 6791) has actually been “archived” but is still available if you ask your Sherwin Williams store to pull it up in the system.
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So many of the rooms and walls in our home need a fresh coat of paint; the house has settled, the walls are scuffed, and a lot of areas only started with too-thin of a coat in the first place. It’s a tricky thing- picking paint. And it’s next to impossible to know exactly what a color will look like throughout the day in every part of the room. Searching online is a good place to start, but take your time, invest in actual samples, and paint in different parts of the room (next to windows, away from windows, next to trim, etc.) Spending “too much” on samples is way better than investing in an entire room/house color that you end up hating.
Wow girl you are helping SO MANY by posting your own experience! Paint can be tricky and just like you said lighting, furnishings, windows all change the hue! Really sweet of you to take the time to share all the details! Your home is gorgeous, I love all the rooms! ?
I look forward to your decor ideas.
Paint is the easiest and inexpensive way to change a room and feel good about it! Thanks for you sharing all the time.
It makes such a huge difference!
Tammy, that means so much! Happy Monday and THANK YOU!
Thank you for this post! Loved it ! Would you say that versatile gray is a beige with a gray undertone ? Is it warm ??
Hi, Jess! It is definitely warm but hard to say what tones it has more of (it is a greige, also). In our great room, it tends to look more gray with beige undertones but in other spaces, it can look more taupe with gray undertones.
Excelllent post. In the process of considering pint colors. This post was very helpful.
Connie, I am so glad and thank you! Best of luck!
Thx for all the great info….picking a paint color is VERY difficult! You have done a great job of explaining your paint colors. Your insight and honest critiques will help lots of people!
Michelle, you are so kind to say that; thank you!
It’s not easy to pick a paint color and this will be so help to so many people! I loved looking at all your rooms once again and love the “videos” on your site – hugs!
Joni, thank you!!! Sending you hugs today!
Great tips Kelley. We plan to repaint much of our interior this year. It can be a daunting task.
Lauren, you are so right! I am itching to freshen some up too.
I love the colors and I covet your sitting area. My kitchen, dining room, and great room are all one big room and my kitchen is the same layout as yours (in reverse). I am curious about what you plan to change in your kitchen. I have solid custom maple cabinets all over my house and hate them. They have faded from a light white glaze to a yellowish color. I would love to paint my kitchen cabinets white but then would have to paint the bookshelves across the room white…not sure I could talk my sweet husband into that ;). Any whoooo, I look forward to seeing where you go with your kitchen; I know it will be stunning as is all your decor.
Cecilia, I am in the same boat! If you do one thing, you do another, and another, etc. haha. My countertops actually cracked on one side a few weeks ago (maybe the house shifted? I have NO idea). So, I am trying to determine what we will do and how that will change everything. Definitely not in a position to re-do everything but MAY be changing countertops, cabinet hardware, and room color…
I’ve painted so many rooms so many times with the wrong paint. I LOVE LOVE LOVE that you posted this! I always end up with the “it’s too bright!” problem and this will help me keep that in mind when choosing paint again.
Joanne, I think most of us have! haha
I like the idea of painting the ceiling the same color of the walls. Your paint colors flow so nicely. Thanks for the ideas and honesty about your color choices .
Bennie, thank you! This house was the first time I have had that and I love the look.
Thanks for your critiques….it really helps and gives you things to think about when choosing a color. I just love reading your comments! Thanks for sharing yourself and your home. Love, love the colors in you home, especially the bedroom. Enjoy your day.
Joss, thank you! It is such a tricky thing. Have a great week!
I love your paint color choices… so beautiful and fresh.
Jenny, thank you!
Just discovered you on Pinterest and decided to visit your blog instead of getting to work like I SHOULD be doing. 😉 Anyway, girl you should see my walls right now. Just stripped off 16 year old wallpaper and have applied the spackle. The walls look like they have the chickenpox. Sigh…. Anyway I went to Home Depot with my fistful of switches from SW and BM and put up EIGHT different paint samples. Eight. Gray, greige, beige. Wow. Thank goodness. They are all so different! But I think I have found one. Now to paint! Thanks for your site. Very beautiful!
Julie, thank you for taking the time to leave me a note and oh my goodness, isn’t selection a stressful chore?! GOOD LUCK and I hope they turn out fantastic!
Hello Kelly Nan, we are in the process of buying a 1940 home for less than $45,000 – OMG the work it needs. Trying to get ideas that are budget friendly yet look complete (not cheap). While searching for panels came across your site. When I saw your gorgeous home yet you used IKEA curtains – I thought now I can afford to get ideas from her. Yay.
Jana, that is awesome! They are FANTASTIC budget panels that look like their quality far exceeds the cost- I hope you love them!!
Thank you, for the ideas…
Just moved into our new home by a lake, and i am feeling overwhelmed on how to decorate an open concept space. I’ve chosen a color for the master bedroom that i already hate. Thanks for the inspiration, your home is beautiful!
I so feel you! Take your time and do lots and lots of testing!
Hi Kelley,
I wonder what color would you choose for your dining room for the next makeover? I think Lauren surprise is a little too bright and I wanted to hear from your opinion and your future color for dining room.
Hi, Grace! That is a great question and honestly, I have no idea haha. I love light blue in a dining room (but preferably a paler shade) but if I do change it, I will probably go a different direction all together (just to mix it up). That being said, I don’t know if it would be white, wallpapered, greige, purple or black… You’re really making me want to come up with a design plan! haha
Hi! Can you tell me again what the new paint on your walls in kitchen, breakfast and family/great room is again and is your trim on the cabinets abs molding still Creamy? Also the trim and finish out around your bar is painted Creamy also? Thank you!
Hi, Kari! The new kitchen/breakfast nook color is Edgecomb Gray by Benjamin Moore. The great room is still the same and the moulding/doors are still Creamy by SW. The trim under the bar is also Creamy. I don’t know what the cabinet color is (it did stay the same but I don’t know it :/)
If you were painting your entire condo in either simply white or alabaster what would you choose? There are areas with a huge amount of light from the east and then areas where there will be light from the west. I keep going between the two(alabaster and simply white ) and pure white by SW and I can’t decide. I don’t want yellow undertones and I don’t want it to look dingy in the dark. Since you have experience with both colors and your home is absolutely gorgeous I thought maybe you could help 🙂 Thank you!
Hi, Julie! In my home, my favorite of the two is Simply White 😉
Hi! I see you use Creamy for your trim, what finish is your trim? Semi-gloss? Your bedroom, I love in Simply White, is the trim a semi-gloss too?
Thank you! Lesley 🙂
Semi-gloss 😉 The bedroom though is actually all Simply White and if I remember correctly, that is actually satin.
I’m about to have most of my house and all of my main living space painted versatile grey. Can you tell me what white your trim is painted?
Creamy by Sherwin Williams
Loved your advice. I read on the internet that SW Creamy is a duplicate for the soft white paint used on Pottery Barn furniture. Would you agree? I am painting a variety of vintage mahogany stained furniture that belong to my grandmother which is going in a room with a painted PB piece. It’s going to be a lot of work so I want to choose the best paint color. Thanks in advance.
Hi Jane, Thank you so much! Choosing the right paint color is so tough. Light and the original finish are both big factors. I recommend that you start small with your chosen color before you commit to the entire project. I am sorry that I can not speak to the white paint used on Pottery Barn furniture as I don’t have any pieces with that finish. I love that you are giving new life to your grandmother’s furniture and wish you the best of luck in the process.
Thank you Kellynan for sharing your gorgeous home! Your taste is impeccable, every room warm, welcoming and beautiful. I am seeking advise regarding my home in Florida which is West and East facing. I sure wish I had found you earlier, I think I have made some errors in trying to achieve a look like your. I have had my kitchen cabinets, ceilings and trim painted Benjamin Moore Cloud White and have a off white quartz with gray and beige veining in the kitchen and small bathroom. The problem is my wall color, I had it in my mind to paint the walls cloud white too but the painter convinced me that there would not be enough contrast. Every gray, Greige color I put on my walls had either pink or green undertones and appeared to dark, so we went with Sherwin Williams Creamy., which by samples put on my walls did not appear to yellow but a warm white with little contrast to cloud white. The wall painting process started yesterday with the front of house and sunroom and definitely has a yellow cast to it. Before going any further can you give me any suggestions, should I have the painter tweak the color lighter, or change to the cloud white in the other rooms which are on the back east side of the house? At this time my flooring is Brazelian cherry hardwoods( left in home fro previous owners and hoping to change eventually) The sunroom and kitchen are beige, brown, gray Travertine. I have quite a lot of dark antique furniture which I am planing on painting a oyster type color, my upholstered furniture is creams, beige with black and warm colored oriental rugs and accessories in champagne gold and gold. I am a Hospice nurse and have been working overtime for the past several years to save for this project and need to avoid any further mistakes. Thank you for reading this long email and for any help you can give. Sending you warm wishes and prayers for continued blessings in your life. Sincerely, Joy
Hi Joy, Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by! Since this post, I have repainted my kitchen and breakfast room Edgecomb Gray by Benjamin Moore. There is an updated kitchen post here: https://kelleynan.com/cream-kitchen-update-modern-transitional/
I have also repainted several rooms (master bedroom, powder room, Eliza’s room and guest room) Simply White by Benjamin Moore for a brighter look.
Prior to painting, I also try a few sample colors first and view them at different times of the day to see what the light will do.
Picking a color can be so hard! I know paint colors are very fickle. I wish you the best in your kitchen project. I really appreciate your kind words! xoxo