These 10 Aqua Paint Colors Are Perfect for Refreshing Your Home

This hue is not only for beach houses

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 11/04/21
Small bedroom with light aqua painted walls with bright window

The Spruce / Christopher Lee Foto

Aqua might not be the first paint color you gravitate toward during a home renovation, but it's surprisingly versatile. It can be bright and cheerful or muted and relaxing, depending on the shade. A mix of blue and green, aqua is a go-to for beachy decor and coastal homes. But this gorgeous color isn't only for houses near the water. It's also a great paint choice for modern and vintage design schemes.

Whether you want to add a pop of bold color to a kitchen or you're hunting for a subtle, soothing splash of green for your guest bedroom, interior designers gravitate toward as aqua is a stunning rich shade that holds up well year after year.

  • Color Family: Green-blue
  • Complementary Colors: Red-orange
  • Pairs Well With: Other light pastels and neutrals like white, cream, and gray
  • Mood: Calming, breezy, soothing
  • Where to Use: Works well in every room in the house; it can be used as an exterior hue and is popular in beach locales and tropical destinations

Here are our favorite aqua paint color ideas, from vibrant shades to muted tones.

  • 01 of 10

    Best Light Aqua: Sherwin-Williams Sea Salt

    Sherwin-Williams Sea Salt swatch

    The Spruce

    At first glance, Sherwin-Williams Sea Salt is so subtle it may appear more gray or neutral than aqua. But with rich colored accents, the green undertones in this light aqua paint shine through. Perfect for nearly any room (particularly great for bedrooms, living spaces, and kitchens), this works well if you seek a little more color without overpowering the space.

  • 02 of 10

    Best Medium Aqua: Benjamin Moore Jamaican Aqua

    Jamaican Aqua paint swatch

    The Spruce

    Benjamin Moore Jamaican Aqua is a true, saturated aqua paint color. This beach-inspired hue is balanced perfectly between blue and green. While it's certainly vibrant and striking, it's also relaxing and tranquil. Jamaican Aqua is a good choice for primary bathrooms or cheery laundry rooms, and it's the perfect blend of green and blue.

    About This Term: Primary Bathroom

    Many real estate associations, including the National Association of Home Builders, have classified the term "Master Bedroom" (or "Master Bathroom") as discriminatory. "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 Dark Aqua: Glidden Deepest Aqua

    Deepest Aqua paint swatch

    The Spruce

    If you're not afraid to experiment with deep, bold colors, Glidden Deepest Aqua is a moody blue. It is an excellent choice for most rooms. This rich, mermaid-inspired aqua is perfect for a playroom or an accent wall. It pairs well with other bright colors, such as coral and pink.

  • 04 of 10

    Best Soft Aqua: Benjamin Moore Palladian Blue

    Palladian Blue paint swatch

    The Spruce

    Palladian Blue is a soft, muted aqua with blue undertones that works beautifully in airy, sunny living spaces and bathrooms. Bold and clean, Palladian Blue is the perfect blend of gray and blue with a calming effect. It is a subtle way to add a little pigment to a smaller space. Softer colors add a little personality without becoming too intense. Benjamin Moore describes it as "the blue of the sky with a touch of mother of pearl."

    Tip

    When picking a paint sheen, the finish depends on where it will go and how much cleaning it will need. Flat or matte does not wash well, which is why it's a go-to for ceilings; it also absorbs lighting glare. Satin or eggshell works on walls since it's usually easy-to-clean. Gloss and semigloss are popular for kitchens and bathrooms; they are washable and can stand up to humidity.

    Continue to 5 of 10 below.
  • 05 of 10

    Best Green Aqua: Valspar Beach Blanket

    Beach Blanket paint swatch

    The Spruce

    Valspar Beach Blanket is a little ​greener than a typical aqua and gives you the same fresh look. This aqua hue is just right for those who are more of a "green person" but would still like to create a beach-inspired vibe. Beach Blanket is a warmer aqua than others, making it a great paint to pair with neutral beiges and yellows.

  • 06 of 10

    Best Bold Aqua: Valspar Turquoise Tint

    Turquoise Tint paint swatch

    The Spruce

    If you're done experimenting with subtle pops of color and ready to take a bolder approach, Valspar Turquoise Tint is just the ticket. This rich turquoise aqua has strong green undertones—and though it's bright, it's an incredibly soothing color. Try Turquoise Tint in a powder room or on an exterior door for a splash of coastal color.

    Tip

    The secret to a good-looking paint job is using painter's blue tape liberally on the edges between ceiling and wall, around baseboards, windows, and fixtures. Its waxy coating stops paint from seeping through, it's available in several widths, and it will not pull up the surface paint where it has adhered.

  • 07 of 10

    Best Dusty Aqua: Behr Marina Isle

    Behr Marina Isle paint swatch

    The Spruce

    Marina Isle is a chalky, soft aqua with green undertones. It's not an overly saturated color. It pairs well with other muted tones, such as beige and olive green. It works well in living rooms, big and small. Pick bolder green accents to make this aqua hue pop.

  • 08 of 10

    Best Smoky Aqua: Sherwin-Williams Interesting Aqua

    Interesting Aqua paint swatch

    The Spruce

    True to its name, Sherwin-Williams Interesting Aqua is a unique aqua shade with gray and green undertones and a calming, smoky appearance. Another muted aqua, Interesting Aqua, is a choice color for entryways, bedrooms, and even kitchen cabinets. It adds the perfect dose of color without feeling juvenile or outdated.

    Continue to 9 of 10 below.
  • 09 of 10

    Best Mint Aqua: Sherwin-Williams Waterscape

    Waterscape paint swatch

    The Spruce

    Mint green is an incredibly popular color, but it can be hard to make work in some spaces. Sherwin-Williams Waterscape is an attractive minty aqua that doesn't feel overly pastel or childish. It's the perfect color for a bedroom or bathroom. It looks stunning and mature next to browns and tans.

  • 10 of 10

    Best Blue Aqua: The Spruce Best Home Antique Teal

    Spruce Paint swatch color in Antique Teal

    The Spruce

    If you like aqua with more pronounced shades of blue, try Antique Teal. This medium aqua has blue undertones and pairs well with cooler notes, such as grays and whites. It adds a great pop of color to bedrooms or office spaces and still feels modern and updated when paired with lighter tones.

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