One of the most common questions I’m asked as a home stager is: What color should I paint my home? Often, I suggest neutral colors including whites, grays, creams, and beiges. Paint is always a home improvement that is high on my suggestions list because of the huge impact and return on investment a fresh coat of paint provides. Painting can be easy and affordable yet, sparks a large visual impact for visitors. I suggest classic paint colors to neutralize the home and I’m constantly updating paint recommendations according to home décor trends.
For the past few years we have been seeing gray as the popular neutral used in home décor. There are two types of grays: warm and cool grays-- which are determined by their undertones. Warm gray is cozier and usually has brown undertones which can include red, orange, or yellow, while cool gray usually has blue, green, or purple undertones. When searching for the “perfect gray,” be sure to check the undertones, which may seem subtle, but appear very obvious when painted. Here are a few of my gray paint color recommendations by Benjamin Moore:
Revere Pewter HC-172 by Benjamin Moore is light grey with a hint of taupe
Gray Owl 2137-60 by Benjamin Moore is a light and bright cool grey with a green undertone
Willow Creek 1468 by Benjamin Moore is the perfect warm true gray
Here are a few of my gray Sherwin Williams paint color recommendations:
Agreeable Gray SW 7029 by Sherwin-Williams is the a very warm gray also known as ‘greige’ (gray + beige)
Knitting Needles SW 7672 by Sherwin-Williams is a timeless gray with a slightly warm undertone
Fashionable Gray SW 6275 by Sherwin-Williams is a soothing cool gray with purple undertones
Here are a few of my white paint recommendations by Benjamin Moore:
Simply White OC-117 by Benjamin Moore was the Color of the Year for 2016 and is a crisp white yet warm white
White Dove OC-17 by Benjamin Moore is more of a classic soft off-white
Gardenia AF-10 by Benjamin Moore is a creamy white with warm undertones
Neutral paint and wall colors set the foundation and pops of color can be accented in the home. Heading into a new year, I tend to make note of the color trends and upcoming paint colors of the year. Here is a look at the 2019 paint trend forecasts from some of the leading paint and color trend forecasters.
Pantone, known to provide a universal language of color, named Living Coral 16-1546 as the Pantone Color of the Year 2019. This is a coral reminiscent of a sunset with a warm undertone. Living Coral is vibrant, bright, bold, and lively.
The 2019 Sherwin-Williams Color of the Year is Cavern Clay SW 7701. The color is a warm orange or terracotta hue. The shade is warm and earthy with roots in nature, southwestern regions, and reminiscent of clay or rust. I’d recommend this hue perfectly paired alongside natural materials to create a desert oasis in your home.
Benjamin Moore has chosen Metropolitan AF-690 as its 2019 Color of the Year. This gray has cool undertones and is very soft neutral, which evokes feelings of comfort and calm.
The Behr 2019 Color of the Year is Blueprint S470-5. Like its name suggests, the color is a plan or guide to be followed as the color is said to be a foundation hue and universally appealing. Blueprint is a warm blue, mid-range tone, and soft, yet wonderfully bright.
The Glidden paint brand is now combined with the PPG Paints brand and has over 100 years as a paint industry leader. PPG’s 2019 color of the year is Night Watch (PPG1145-7) – a deep, rich green shade. Night Watch is not a traditional forest green, it’s a modern soothing, dark green with a hint of teal and a nod to nature.
Can you imagine using these colors in your home? These colors of the year are fun to experiment with as accent colors or statement pieces in the home. Many of them and their undertones can be easily paired with the go-to neutral paint colors previously mentioned. Create a neutral color palette foundation and then build on color as a pop or fun accent through textiles, throw pillows, accessories, or artwork. In 2019 we will continue to see gray as a neutral and continue to see blues and more greens as major color trends. The blues will be grounded and calm and include teals, sapphires, and aquamarines. The green hues will reflect nature, be rich, energetic, and warm. Orange and coral hues are trending expected to be the vibrant, bold, intense, energetic and earthy. Are you ready to paint and accessorize your home with these trendy colors?