Forget the White Walls: Try These Fresh Neutrals Instead
Pure white walls are still trending in interiors- the look is ethereal, fresh and gives off Parisian-apartment vibes. But the reality is that for every light-filled white space, there are many many (many!) spaces where white walls look dingy and grey.
Think about it: the white-walled spaces that look amazing on Pinterest and in shelter magazines are flooded with natural light through huge windows and have inevitably been brightened with photo editing. See the difference in the pictures below? This is just your friendly reminder that ALL interior photos online are edited, and it’s often the bright and airy rooms that we’re all coveting.
Photo Source: The Light & Airy Photographer
Remember that white is the ultimate reflector, and in many cases will only amplify the lack of light in a room, or reflect undesirable colours into your room from the outside (think a wall of green trees, or the orange building next door).
The other day I shared a blog post on my favourite white paint colours, but if you have a north-facing room, a dark basement or just a room with few window, you may have a space where white walls are not the best choice. If you still want the look of white, try something with a bit more pigment. You’ll notice all of these colours can generally be described as beige or griege, but the difference lies in their undertones and how warm or cool they lean.
Here are a few of my favourite neutrals if you have a low-light room or are just looking for an alternative to white walls.
First up is Pale Oak, a colour that falls firmly into the taupe category. Taupes are colours that are warmer than grey and cooler than beige. Pale Oak is a super versatile colour, and can look lovely in both bright and lower-light rooms. Know that Pale Oak can sometimes read as pink or violet on your walls, serving as yet another reminder to always test your paint.
Room Source: Lisa Furey Interiors
Classic Gray is one of my very favourites of the bunch. It’s a pale neutral with green-grey undertones, and is excellent at unifying a space that has multiple finishes with different undertones competing in a space. Try Classic Grey in a space where white would be too stark, but you’re still wanting a light and airy look.
Room Source: Home Bunch
Alright, I know most people cringe when they hear the word “tan”, but hear me out- Manchester Tan can truly be a magical colour in the right space. Try this warm neutral from Benjamin Moore’s Historical Collection to freshen up an earthy colour scheme with dated Tuscan brown finishes that were everywhere in the early 2000s. Manchester Tan is also a great colour for basement spaces that need warmer undertones, as this colour leans more beige than grey.
Room Source: Liz Levin Interiors
Sherwin Williams Accessible Beige
One of the most popular Sherwin-Wiliams colours, Accessible Beige is another green-grey with a touch of creamy yellow and warmth. Like Manchester Tan above, it is excellent for updating homes with an earthier colour tone while leaning a bit more towards the grey side.
Room Source: Hayley Lunde
Collingwood is a neutral grey with very slight purple undertones. This colour is an excellent choice for rooms with finishes that have pinky/purple undertones like those that are often found in natural stone fireplaces.
Room Source: Arched Manor
Wind’s Breath is another shade that falls into the taupe family, and strikes the perfect balance between grey, beige and cream. The colour is slightly more yellow and creamier than Pale Oak, and is another versatile neutral that looks beautiful in all sorts of spaces.
Room Source: Elements of Style
I hesitated to add this colour because I wouldn’t recommend it in a low-light room, but decided to include it as it can be beautiful in the right space. Gray Owl is modern gray that falls clearly into the blue-grey category. For this reason it can give off serious chilly vibes in low-light or already cool north-facing rooms. Try this colour if you’re looking for a fresh colour to balance out the warm-light of a south-facing room.
Room Source: Emily Henderson
Farrow & Ball is know for it’s timelesss and stunningly curated colour palettes, and Skimming Stone leads the pack as one of company’s most popular colours. This shade of off-white is named after a 19th century plaster colour, and has warm light-grey undertones.
Room Source: Tale Victoria
A green-grey that’s part of Benjamin Moore’s historical collection, Edgecomb Gray is one of my go-to paint colours. This shade is considered a warm grey and looks especially beautiful with warm wood tones. Try this versatile colour in both low-light or well-lit spaces.
Room Source: Hudson Home Builders
Are you inspired to try something other than white on your next paint project? Let me know in the comments below!
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