Everyone needs a go-to white, cream or gray. Whether you’re playing up furnishings or simply leaning toward a more understated color palette, these are the best neutral colors to have at the ready, according to designers.
A FORECAST WINNER
Photo: Victor Harshbarger
Josh Greene
Josh Greene Design, New York City
Nimbus 1465 by Benjamin Moore
It’s the all around gray that works in cool and warm schemes and never goes purple. Here it is in the living room of a Greenwich Village apartment but we even used it as the shade for a Venetian plaster.
ALL PURPOSE
Photo: Julie Soefer
Marie Flanigan
Marie Flanigan Interiors, Houston
Seapearl by Benjamin Moore
The shade offers a neutral palette with grey undertones, allowing for added versatility and depth. In this project, we wanted to achieve a light aesthetic that created a backdrop for subtle color. Seapearl’s tone layered beautifully with additional texture and accent colors.
GROUNDED PERSPECTIVE
Photo: Erin Comerford Miller
Cheryl Luckett
Dwell by Cheryl Interiors, Charlotte
Shiitake by Sherwin Williams
This go-to neutral has the perfect mix of warm and cool tones. It works with so many schemes. It’s light and cozy at the same time, making it one of my absolute favorites.
PENSIVE PALETTE
Photo: John Neitzel/ Digital Destinations
Courtney McLeod
Right Meets Left Interior Design, New York City
Metropolitan by Benjamin Moore
I selected this moody, warm gray for this bedroom to convey a sense of calm modernity.
THE ULTIMATE BACKDROP
Photo: Julie Soefer
Nina Magon
Nina Magon Studio, Houston
Pure White by Sherwin Williams
White is a classic color that goes with anything! Pair it with black and you get a chic and sophisticated space.
PICTURE PERFECT
Photo: Matthew Millman
Jay Jeffers
Jay Jeffers, San Francisco
Gray Owl by Benjamin Moore
It’s a light gray, but it is my favorite version of white because I love how it plays off deep saturated colors. The crispness is just beautiful. We used it in this bedroom of an ultra-luxury condominium project in Pacific Heights. It boasts a double height ceiling, and the color makes the room look even larger.
PEOPLE PLEASER
Photo: Grey Crawford
Jeff Andrews
Jeff Andrews Design, Los Angeles
Manor House Gray by Farrow & Ball
I love to use in a living room or other formal entertaining space, is the perfect backdrop color to other warm or cool colors.
TIMELESS TONE
Photo: Miguel Flores Vianna Photography
Katie Leede
Katie Leede & Co., New York City
Matchstick by Farrow & Ball
It’s an especially effective, creamy wall color when decorating with fine antiques, gilt and silk. It provides a warm and quiet canvas for layering in richness. This New York City triplex takes on a livable coziness while maintaining old world elegance.
Explore the best hues for home with tips and trends from designers across the country. See what's hot in 2023 color trends, read up on today's top paint colors for bedrooms—plus dive into designer favorites for best blues, neutrals, greens, earth tones and more.
