Choosing the right paint colour can completely transform the look and feel of your home. Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams paint manufacturers offer a wide range of colours that are known for their quality and versatility. In this article, we will explore my top 10 paint colours that can add beauty and character to any space in your home.
1. Revere Pewter (HC-172):
Benjamin Moore’s Revere Pewter is a timeless and versatile greige (gray-beige) colour that works well in any room. It has a warm undertone that creates a cozy and inviting atmosphere.
I have loved this one for quite some time, it never seems to expire. RP has a unique ability to adapt to different lighting conditions, it can appear slightly different depending on the amount and type of light in the room. This quality makes it a popular choice for spaces with varying natural light levels.
Pros:
- Versatile backdrop
- Can be combined with: Whites, creams, blues, greens and even bolder accent colours
- Can easily coordinate with both warm and cool tones
2. Hale Navy (HC-154):
Next up we have Benjamin Moore’s Hale Navy. This shade of blue is a popular choice and a versatile navy blue. It belongs to the BM historical collection, which consists of timeless and classic colours inspired by historic architecture and design. HN is known for its rich and dramatic appearance that adds a touch of sophistication and depth to any space. It works well as an accent color or as a statement wall, cabinetry or furniture.
This colour pairs well with various other shades such as crisp whites, warm neutrals, and metallic accents. It can be great for a backdrop for artwork, as it provides a striking contrast.
3. Simply White (OC-117):
Benjamin Moore’s Simply White is a classic, pure white color that is perfect for creating a clean and fresh look. It is my favourite bright and warm white to use on trim and walls when I want a bright soft white paint colour for projects. It actually has quite a bit of gray and green in it and pairs very nicely with warm greige colors and light gray paint colors.
It works well in kitchens, bathrooms, and any space where you want to create a bright and airy atmosphere. Some other safe choices for whites to test out are cloud white, dove white, super white and decorators white. When you want to look at any color, you want to make sure it has the right undertones you are looking for.
Benjamin Moore Simply White has an LRV of 91.7 - that is a very high LRV, which means it’s a fantastic color if you want to brighten up a space.
TIP
LRV It’s a measurement that paint companies use to measure how much light a paint color reflects. LRV stands for light reflectance value - the higher the number, the lighter it reflects.
4. Swiss Coffee [OC-45]
Benjamin Moore's Swiss Coffee is a popular paint color known for its versatility and timeless appeal. It falls within the off-white category and has warm undertones, making it an excellent choice for creating a soft and inviting ambiance in any space.
Swiss Coffee is a creamy off-white shade that exudes warmth and elegance. It is neither too stark nor too yellow, striking a perfect balance that complements various design styles. This color can add a touch of sophistication to both traditional and modern interiors.
5. Evergreen fog [SW-9130):
Sherwin Williams' Evergreen Fog is a beautiful and soothing paint color that brings a sense of calm and tranquility to any space. It falls within the green-gray category and has subtle undertones that create a serene and peaceful atmosphere.
Evergreen Fog is a soft and muted green with hints of gray, giving it a sophisticated and understated look. It is a versatile color that can work well in various rooms, from bedrooms and living rooms to bathrooms and offices. The subtle green tones add a touch of nature and freshness, while the gray undertones provide a sense of balance and neutrality. Evergreen Fog pairs well with both light and dark furniture, allowing for versatility in design choices.
6. Favorite Jeans [SW-9147]
Sherwin Williams' Favorite Jeans is a versatile and timeless paint color that captures the essence of comfort and familiarity. It belongs to the blue-gray family and strikes that perfect balance between the two colours.
Favorite Jeans is a medium-toned blue-gray with a hint of depth, reminiscent of a well-worn pair of jeans. The blue undertones add a touch of calmness and serenity, while the gray elements provide a sense of neutrality and versatility.
The timeless nature of Favorite Jeans makes it a great choice for those looking for a long-lasting and classic color option. It can work well in both traditional and contemporary settings.
Personally, I love this colour on a kitchen island for a pop of colour that I believe will remain timeless.
7. Kendall Charcoal (HC-166):
Benjamin Moore’s Kendall Charcoal is rich, deep and luxurious, it pops beautifully when paired with crisp white room accents and trim.
Some trim colors worth testing with Kendall Charcoal:
- Snow White by BM
- Simply White by BM
- White Dove by BM
If you’re looking to go a tad darker in a space, it also plays nicely with Revere Pewter and Pale Oak by Benjamin Moore.
Kendall Charcoal is truly a shade of gray. It is considered a versatile neutral; however, in an area with more direct sunlight, it displays of a deep warmth and may give off a tinge of green and brown – but, these undertones add to the color’s interest and beauty. That being said, in a dark space - Kendall Charcoal holds true to the name and reveals a darker charcoal base.
I consider it an earthy shade, that pairs well with organic materials, such as: wood, rock and stone.
Kendall Charcoal is a great option for an exterior of a home or even just exterior doors - It will look perfect with any accents that you put around it, including house plants and cute rugs.
Tip: If you’re nervous about making the dive, remember you can ask Benjamin Moore to lighten the shade 25-50% - This will keep the undertones but just take off the edge a bit.
On the Light Reflectance Value scale, Kendall Charcoal is a 14.61, putting it on the very edge of dark. In a poorly lit space, Kendall Charcoal will go deep but with more natural light this shade lightens tremendously.
8. Silver Satin [OC-26]
Benjamin Moore's Silver Satin is one of my favorite wall colours. It is a beautiful and sophisticated paint color that adds a touch of elegance and versatility to any space. It is a light gray with subtle hints of silver, creating a soft and luminous effect.
Silver Satin has a delicate and refined tone that works well as a neutral backdrop. SS also works well with different types of lighting. In natural light, it appears soft and serene, while under artificial lighting, the silver undertones come to life, adding a subtle shimmer to the walls.
This paint color is incredibly versatile and can be used in various rooms and design styles. In bedrooms, it creates a serene and peaceful atmosphere, perfect for relaxation and rest. In living rooms and dining areas, Silver Satin adds a touch of elegance and sophistication, creating a refined and inviting space.
One of the great benefits of Silver Satin is its ability to complement a wide range of color palettes. It pairs beautifully with both cool and warm tones, I also love how it brings a softness when black accessories and wall décor is added to the space.
9. Natural Cream [OC-14):
Benjamin Moore’s Natural Cream is a fabulous greige paint color that is warm, cozy and full of charm. It’s a soft, pretty neutral that might work in any space of your home.
This color is a warm, soft neutral. It’s somewhere between a warm white and a mushroom color. It is the perfect greige, with soft undertones that work with a variety of accent colors. You can use this colour on many different areas such as walls, board + batten, Cabinetry, Furniture accents, even trim and doors!
Undertones: Gray, Yellow, Slight Green
Tip: In a north facing room [or a room without much natural light] you will see more of the gray undertones.
Grab multiple different samples with different undertones and bring them to your space so you can narrow it down.
Once you have done this, I recommend getting the samples cans and testing on two walls in the room that face different direction. Look at the paint at various times during the day to see how it reads in various lighting situations.
10. Jet Black [OC-2120-10]
Benjamin Moore’s rich Jet Black is anything but shy. It's a cool, smoky black that is perfect for interior doors, accents, and kitchen cabinets. Pair it with cool, stark whites for a chic, modern look. If you have a smaller space, the high contrast between the dark and light colors will help to keep the black paint from overpowering it while still adding a lot of visual interest.
This is one of my most top used blacks for kitchen cabinetry – it always shows as a more true black. It is part of Benjamin Moore’s classic colour collection and can be paired with a variety of different colours. JB is a classic and timeless colour that can create a sense of elegance, sophistication and depth in any space. It can also create a bold contrast in both traditional and contemporary settings.
The 3 Types of Black paint Colours
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Warm Black
Warm blacks have a bit of brown in them. The more brown a black has in it, the less black it will look – eventually, it will just be dark brown. Some warm blacks pick up a touch of purple/violet.
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Cool Black
Cool blacks can have blue, green, or violet undertones – the most popular being blue. You can also get a subtle blend depending on the TYPE of blue, green, or violet you have. For example, blue can be blue-green or blue-violet. Green can be green-blue (cool) or green-yellow (warm). Violet can be violet-blue (cool) or violet-pink (warm). However, while violet-blue makes for a cold black, violet-pink results in a black with a brown-violet undertone (warm).
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True Black
True black is the real deal – just good old black. However, even the most steadfast black can vary slightly depending on the paint brand (as some brands’ black has a blue undertone right off the get-go).