How to Choose the Best Paint Color for a Room

Soothing and serene, bedrooms are at their best with cool colors and muted tones. Blue is proven to induce a relaxed mood, and the most popular paint colors for bedrooms include shades of blue and grey. Navy blue or smoky grey colors give your bedroom a sophisticated look, while soft earth tones or inviting blush walls warm up your space.

Deeper tones such as forest green or charcoal grey create a masculine vibe that’s perfect for a master bedroom or a teen boy’s room. Darker colors give your room a restful, intimate feel, just right for a guest room tucked under the eaves. Contrast dark walls with pale, naturally finished furniture for a vibe that’s cohesive and not cramped.

For a small space or a crowded children’s bedroom, paint the walls in pale, cool colors like white, grey, or mint green to make the room feel bigger. Paint with a satin or eggshell finish helps reflect the light and further enlarge your space. Choose a comforter set or matching sheets to pair with trendy bedroom paint colors for effortless up-to-the-minute appeal. More of a morning person? Greet the day with a splash of bright color instead. Try lemony stripes across the ceiling, or a playful pink accent wall on one side of your bedroom.

See our guide to Bedroom Paint Color Ideas for more inspiration.

From chic apartments to sprawling family homes, the living room highlights your family’s personality. The expansive walls of your living room give you room to express yourself, so go wild with chalkboard paint, accent walls, and painted window frames. Wondering what color to paint your living room? Start with the mood you want and work from there.

Whether you choose white with a hint of warm undertones or swathe your walls in warm harvest colors, shades of gold create an opulent atmosphere. White accents create instant contemporary elegance when paired with cooler shades – think coastal blue or mint green for casual chic, or trim your yellow walls with off-white for a welcoming, lived-in farmhouse look. A classic black and white palette offers an effortlessly polished look. Go glam when you pair it with plush shag area rugs, or step up with contemporary elegance from floating shelves and abstract decor.

Perenially popular living room paint colors such as cream or warm grey pair smoothly with multiple accent colors, letting you update your living room without the trouble of a complete remodeling. Try forest green, navy blue, or charcoal grey trim for an easy refresh of your living room color scheme.

A relaxing space benefits from subtle, soothing colors like grey or blush, while a casual entertaining hub calls for more contrast and brighter tones. Looking forward to movie night or gaming with friends? Keep the mood light with sunny yellows and coastal blues. Or curl up under a crocheted throw to read away the weekend surrounded by warm creams and refreshing shades of green.

See our full guide to Living Room Paint Ideas to find the best fit for your living room.

Your kitchen is the bustling heart of your home. Emphasize that energy with inviting kitchen paint colors and vibrant shades. Darker reds and red-brown shades evoke autumn harvests and family feasts, so try a touch of terracotta or cranberry to warm your decor and create a homey atmosphere. Warm, neutral earth tones offer a versatile playground to take your decor any direction you choose: go Tuscan with cream-colored walls and terracotta accents.

Craving contemporary flair? Refresh your kitchen with a crisp black and white palette. High-contrast accents like polished steel or cherry red dishware make a monochromatic kitchen chic without feeling sterile. Combine yellow with cheerful reds or blues for a fresh, informal kitchen that complements farmhouse or French country decor. Chalkboard paint gives you a whimsical, ever-changing accent and helps keep little hands busy during dinner prep or informal entertaining.

Focusing on green or darker blue shades gives your kitchen a balanced, open feel that’s perfect for breakfast nooks or eat-in kitchens. Choose simple, subtle colors like warm grey or sage green to emphasize a spectacular tiled backsplash. Or make a coastal splash with sandy beige and pale blue.

Explore more options with our guide to Kitchen Paint Ideas.

Private spaces can be just as beautiful as high-profile rooms, so go ahead and create a hidden gem with fresh new shades of paint for your bathroom. The best bathroom colors depend on the style of your space.

Emerald and sea green colors evoke nature and create a sense of serenity, so wash your walls with shades of green and kick back in your garden tub for a truly relaxing evening. Turn your bathroom into a spa-worthy jewel box by harmonizing colorful walls with a lustrous tiled floor.

Traditional bathrooms pair well with subtler shades on the walls, from grey and ivory to delicate pastels. You can personalize your traditional bathroom with painted trim and molding – choose a darker accent tone for a harmonious look, or brighten your bathroom with crisp, classic white molding against pale pastel walls.

Modern bathrooms benefit from clear, bright tones that emphasize their streamlined, open look. Think cool mints, watery blues, and misty greys. A flush of pink can enliven any bathroom with a warm, feminine vibe; accent it with cool grey or stark black to keep it looking fresh instead of frilly.

Check out our Bathroom Paint Ideas for more visuals.