Preparation
A little paint can go a long way when setting the aesthetic or tone of a space. “There are a myriad of studies that document how color affects our mood and even our behaviors,” interior designer Kendall Wilkinson says. “Softer, cooler colors such as grays, blues, or greens, create calm while warmer and more vibrant tones in the yellow or red family energize.”
But what do you do when you’ve settled on an interior style but aren’t sure what hue to paint the room? “Selecting the perfect paint color comes down to two things: the aesthetic you’re hoping to achieve and the purpose behind your space,” says Abbe Fenimore of Studio Ten 25. “You can brighten up a dark interior with lighter paint colors, while rooms with an abundance of natural light work well with darker hues.” Looking for the perfect paint color for your unique taste? We asked a few experts to share which paint colors work best with certain home aesthetics, and here’s what they had to say.
The minimalist look is all about clean lines and clutter-free spaces, which is why Jessica Geller of Toledo Geller suggests picking a paint color that keeps the focus on the architecture of the room. “White is the obvious choice for a minimalist aesthetic, but a true white can be so stark and utilitarian,” she says. “We prefer something with a little depth for a minimalist look, [especially if it] has an undertone of greige.”
Filled with interesting textiles and eclectic furnishings, bohemian spaces call for a paint color that lets the décor of the room shine. “A warm white allows your objects to make an impact,” says Ana Claudia Schultz. “Not only will it help natural light bounce around a room, you can also use it to offset the cooler tones in a space.”
If you’re a fan of rustic furniture, then farmhouse is the style for you. And according to Wilkinson, a farmhouse-style space requires a rich, but neutral shade of off-white paint that lets the distressed finishes in the room do the talking. “We like soft, earthy tones for the modern farmhouse,” she says. There are so many shades of white to choose from, so it’s important to decide if you want a paint with more statement-making silvery-tones or prefer a warmer white.
If you’re a maximalist at heart, then chances are your home is filled with colorful décor that deserves a bold backdrop. “A Kelly green provides a pop of unexpected color and creates a bit of an indoor-meets-outdoor vibe that feels casually youthful, yet elegantly brash,” says Caitlin Murray of Black Lacquer Design. “It’s such a confident and charming color.”
You can always count on a cool shade of gray to enhance the ambience of an edgy, industrial style interior. “Think shades of gray for an industrial chic look,” Wilkinson says. You can also mix softer grays with bolder charcoals, says Wilkinson, to create a deep custom tone that’s unique to your space.
