The 10 Best Neutral Wall Paint Colors for Your Home

By
Ashley Knierim
Photo of Ashley Knierim
Ashley Knierim

Ashley Knierim is a home decor expert and product reviewer of home products for The Spruce. Her design education began at a young age. She has over 10 years of writing and editing experience, formerly holding editorial positions at Time and AOL.

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Updated on 01/19/22
Fact checked by
Jillian Dara
Jillian Dara
Fact checked by Jillian Dara
Jillian is a freelance journalist with 10 years of editorial experience in the lifestyle genre. She is a writer and fact checker for TripSavvy, as well as a fact-checker for The Spruce.
Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process
neutral paint color

The Spruce / Christopher Lee Foto

Whether you love clean, bright whites or deep, dark grays, a neutral wall paint color is timeless and provides the perfect backdrop for creative accents and pallets. There's just something about a muted paint color that adds sophistication to a room. And while many assume "neutral" means beige, there are actually a lot of options that work in nearly any home and any setting.

Overview

  • Color Family: It varies. Includes beiges, grays, taupes, shades of white, black, and even some pastels
  • Complementary Colors: Neutrals generally support all colors
  • Pairs Well With: Most colors
  • Mood: Calming
  • Where to Use: All rooms, including living rooms, bedrooms, offices, and dining rooms

Here are 10 beautiful neutral paint colors to try in your home.

  • 01 of 10

    Best White: Benjamin Moore White Dove OC-17

    Benjamin Moore White Dove paint swatch

    The Spruce

    Benjamin Moore's White Dove is an incredibly popular white paint, especially among designers. This versatile shade works in nearly any room in your house, especially if you're going for a minimalist look. A rich and creamy white with only slight hints of yellow, White Dove works not only on walls but also on trim and doors.

  • 02 of 10

    Best Gray: Sherwin-Williams Roycroft Mist Gray SW2844

    Sherwin-Williams Roycroft Gray Mist paint swatch

    The Spruce

    Roycroft Mist Gray by Sherwin-Williams is a classic gray with a hint of a warm undertone. The warmth and fullness of this gray make it an elegant choice for dining rooms and primary bedrooms. Like many full-bodied grays, it can appear darker in a small space, so take that extra step to sample paint color before committing it to your walls.

    About This Term: Primary Bedroom

    Many real estate associations as well as the Real Estate Standards Association have classified the term "Master Bedroom" as having a potentially derogatory connotation. "Primary Bedroom" is the name now widely used among the real estate community and better reflects the purpose of the room.


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  • 03 of 10

    Best Greige: Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray HC-173

    Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray paint swatch

     The Spruce

    Can't decide between gray and beige? How about a stunning greige like Benjamin Moore's Edgecomb Gray? In a lighter room, Edgecomb looks grayer while it appears more beige in a darker space. It's a rich gray with a slightly yellow undertone and looks best in larger spaces, giving a room a neutral monochromatic look without appearing too washed out or intense.

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  • 04 of 10

    Best Dark Beige: Behr Mocha Foam T15-17

    Behr Mocha Foam paint swatch

    The Spruce

    Behr's Mocha Foam is a great neutral color when you'd like more presence than a simple beige or off-white, but would still like to decorate in neutral colors. A deeper, darker color than a standard beige, Mocha Foam adds depth to a living room or bedroom without feeling too dark. Pair it with earthy colors such as greens and whites.

    Continue to 5 of 10 below.
  • 05 of 10

    Best Pink Neutral: Glidden Powder Blush 70RR 65/053

    Glidden Powder Blush paint swatch

    The Spruce

    Who says neutrals have to be whites or grays? In the right light, lighter pastels like Glidden's Powder Blush can be the perfect neutral with a hint of color. This subtle mauve paint adds the perfect touch of pink in bedrooms and living rooms; it's still modern without feeling sterile. It has soft gray undertones and pairs well with cool whites and blues.

  • 06 of 10

    Best Blue Neutral: Farrow & Ball Pale Powder 204

    Farrow & Ball Pale Powder paint swatch

    The Spruce

    Farrow & Ball Pale Powder is another stunning neutral with a hint of color. Technically aqua, Pale Powder looks nearly white in large, bright spaces and more blue/green in smaller ones. The green undertones keep this color from feeling too gray or cold. Try it in a bedroom or even on a ceiling.

  • 07 of 10

    Best Brown: The Spruce Best Home Cold Brew SPR-24

    The Spruce paint swatch in Cold Brew

    The Spruce

    Deep, dark paint colors can actually be a bedroom's best friend. Contrary to popular belief, rich colors can make a smaller room feel larger while maintaining a cozy feel. We love The Spruce Best Home Cold Brew. If you're hunting for a rich, espresso paint that works well as either an accent wall or throughout the room, this is a great choice.

  • 08 of 10

    Best Black: Magnolia Fine Black

    Magnolia Fine Black paint swatch

    The Spruce

    If you think black can't be neutral, think again. Because it pairs well with nearly any color palette, black is actually an extremely versatile paint color. We love Magnolia's Fine Black because it's creamy and full-bodied without feeling stark. If you're too shy to paint an entire room black, consider an accent wall in a bedroom or a kitchen.

    Tip

    A paint calculator will help you determine how much paint you need. Simply select the shape of your room, enter the square footage of your walls, and press "calculate" for results.

    Continue to 9 of 10 below.
  • 09 of 10

    Best Taupe: Behr Off the Grid T18-08

    Behr Off the Grid paint swatch

    The Spruce

    Behr Off the Grid is an earthy, warm beige-taupe that is endlessly classic and sophisticated. This rich color was actually Behr's color of the year back in 2018, but it's just as versatile today. Try it in living rooms and kitchens and pair with warm yellows or reds for a beautiful combo.

  • 10 of 10

    Best Off-White: Valspar Country Whitewash 6008-1A

    Valspar Country Whitewash paint swatch

    The Spruce

    If you love the all-white look but you're worried your home will feel too institutional, consider an off-white. Valspar Country Whitewash is a full white that adds dimension to your living room, kitchen, or entryway. It has a warm undertone and pairs well with earthy colors or bright reds and oranges.

How to Create a Neutral Color Scheme