Designers’ Guide to Paint Colors

Raise your hand if you’ve ever wallowed over paint color options. Just the site of paint chips can send us into decision paralysis — so.many.choices.

Are you on the hunt for the perfect shade of white? (always!) Do you need a warm white or prefer a cool tone? Is a navy kitchen island on your radar or are you wanting to test out a deep green that’s taking Pinterest by storm? These are the tough choices looming as you stare at all those paint colors. Which means it’s time to call in the experts.

 

Interior Design and Photography: Studio McGee | Paint Color: Simply White by Benjamin Moore

 

 

The Best Paint Colors According to Designers

 

 

We crowdsourced a handful of amazing designers for their tried-and-true paint colors plus a few fresh new favorites. Some selections even received double the votes! Studio McGee, Lexi Westergard, and Lindsey Brooke Design are sharing their top picks across several categories and showcasing how these paint colors look in the wild. Spoiler alert…they’re gorgeous. Jot down these recs for white, gray, blue, black and new fresh colors before your next stop at the paint counter.

 

Interior Design and Photography: Studio McGee | Paint Color: Black Jack by Benjamin Moore

 

 

Studio McGee’s Top Paint Picks

 

 

We have yet to meet a Studio McGee design that we haven’t fallen madly for. It’s that line between classic and modern that they toe so effortlessly and their paint picks mirror that philosophy. Case in point, the bathroom above with classic shiplap painted an inky black. That would be Black Jack by Benjamin Moore. See what other paint colors made it into their top five favorites of all time. 

 

 

 

White

 

Simply White by Benjamin Moore

 

Gray

 

Classic Gray by Benjamin Moore

 

Blue

 

Hale Navy by Benjamin Moore

 

Black

 

Black Jack by Benjamin Moore

 

Fresh New Favorite

 

Polaris Blue by Benjamin Moore

 

 

Interior Design and Photography: Studio McGee | Paint Color: Polaris Blue by Benjamin Moore

 

 

Lexi Westergard’s Top Paint Picks

 

 

Lexi Westergard is the master of pretty blues, and she has a killer portfolio of work to prove it. Check out this navy kitchen island or these built-ins in the most gorgeous blue-green mix if you need any convincing. But her most famous dance with the perfect shade of paint has got to be that dream laundry room in Greyhound by Benjamin Moore. So good right? She has four more amazing recs where that came from.

 

 

white

 

Chantilly Lace by Benjamin Moore

 

Gray

 

Mindful Gray by Sherwin Williams

 

Blue

 

Greyhound by Benjamin Moore

 

Black

 

Wrought Iron by Benjamin Moore

 

Fresh New Favorite

 

Newburg Green by Benjamin Moore

 

Interior Design: Lexi Westergard | Photography: John C. Woodcock | Paint Color: Greyhound by Benjamin Moore

 

 

Lindsey Brooke’s Top Paint Picks

 

 

I can personally attest to 3 of Lindsey Brooke Design’s tried-and-true paint colors (Simply White, Gray Owl reduced 50%, and Hale Navy) so I’m pretty sure Lindsey is my paint picking soulmate. Hale Navy is at the center of her kitchen remodel and it’s so striking against the modern white backdrop. Or there’s the boys’ bathroom she paired with Cheating Heart and mixed metals for the most dapper space. She is not afraid to make a bold statement or blanket a project in a crisp, cool white backdrop and that’s why we love her. Make sure you bookmark her favorites because these five are gooooood.

 

 

White

 

Simply White by Benjamin Moore

 

Gray

 

Gray Owl reduced 50% by Benjamin Moore

 

Blue

 

Hale Navy by Benjamin Moore

 

Black

 

Cheating Heart by Benjamin Moore

 

Fresh New Favorite

 

Pigeon by Farrow and Ball

 

Interior Design: Lindsey Brooke | Photography: Amy Bartlam | Paint Color: Hale Navy by Benjamin Moore

 

We love finding new to us paint colors so if you have any favorites, let us know in the comments! And for more design inspiration and trend topics, be sure to check out:

 

• Blonde Wood + How to Use It Everywhere
• The Color Trends We’re Obsessed With
• Must-Have Books for Interior Designers
• How to Get Your Design Work Published
• The New Look of Open Shelving
• How to Make a Hashtag Happen
• 7 Interior Designers You Should Be Following on Instagram
• A Cozy, Neutral Austin Home Tour

 

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Erin Lepperd is an interior designer – turned digital media editor with a penchant for breathtaking interiors. When she’s not gabbing about design, you’ll find her wrangling her wild and wonderful 5-year-old twins, brunching like it’s her job and exploring the wilds of New England as a California transplant.