4 of My Favorite Neutral Paint Colors I’ve Used in Our Homes

Interiors & Decor

Sunlight flows into a cozy living room. The walls are painted in White Dove by Benjamin Moore, pairing beautifully with neutral decor pieces and layered textures.
We used White Dove in the living room of our previous home. | Photo by Chelsey Werth

Neutrals are important colors in interior design, even if you tend to be drawn to bold colors. And there’s a lot to navigate when it comes to neutral paint color selection.

I wanted to share a few of the best neutral paint colors I’ve used in our homes, why I’ve been drawn to them, and what I think they bring to a room. In the list below, I’m including four very different colors: white, cream, light pink (which visually reads as neutral), and black.

If you’re deciding on a neutral paint color for your home, I hope this post serves as a helpful resource for you. This is also a great post to bookmark for your future design projects!

Here are four of the best neutral paint colors I’ve used in our homes…

1. White Dove by Benjamin Moore

A living room has walls painted in White Dove by Benjamin Moore. A fireplace anchors the cozy space, which is decorated in neutral hues with pops of deep orange and green.
We used White Dove in the living room of our previous home. | Photo by Chelsey Werth

Where I’ve used this color: The basement family room in our current home and the main floor in our previous home.

This is a crisp white that doesn’t feel sterile. It’s a warm color but because it doesn’t have too many yellow tones, it doesn’t read as cream. As design trends are moving toward warmer colors, this is a great classic white paint color to use.

2. Sail Cloth by Benjamin Moore

A cozy basement family room uses a mix of Sail Cloth and White Dove paint colors, both by Benjamin Moore.
We used Sail Cloth on the walls and brick in our basement family room. White Dove was used on the trim, wainscoting, and beams.

Where I’ve used this color: The basement family room in our current home.

If you’re seeking a light neutral color that has a bit more visual weight to it, Sail Cloth might be the color for you. It’s a warm color that’s a step more creamy than White Dove. If you want to highlight the contrast between two neutrals, you could pair Sail Cloth and White Dove together like I did in our basement family room.

3. Setting Plaster by Farrow & Ball

An entryway has cream walls and trim painted in Setting Plaster by Farrow & Ball. The room opens to a family room painted in a serene green color.
We used Setting Plaster on the trim in our entryway.

Where I’ve used this color: The trim in both the entryway and guest room in our current home.

Setting Plaster is a great color to use if you want something a step beyond white or cream that isn’t too saturated. While it is light pink, it still reads as a neutral color and is a versatile option for so many kinds of rooms.

4. Wrought Iron by Benjamin Moore

A modern kitchen has cabinets painted in Wrought Iron by Benjamin Moore, marble countertops, and subway tile backsplash.
We used Wrought Iron on the kitchen cabinetry in our previous home. | Photo by Wing Ho for Domino

Where I’ve used this color: The cabinetry in our previous home’s kitchen.

This is a beautiful black-gray color that brings depth without overwhelming an entire room. Sometimes, a really dark black color can feel so overpowering it dominates every other design feature in a space. Wrought Iron has a softness to it that I really love.

Editor’s Note: This article contains affiliate links. Wit & Delight uses affiliate links as a source of revenue to fund the operations of the business and to be less dependent on branded content. Wit & Delight stands behind all product recommendations. Still have questions about these links or our process? Feel free to email us.

BY Kate Arends - October 11, 2024

6 Comments
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March 27, 2023 7:49 am

I love colour schemes like this; I feel like they are so adaptable and can be used in almost any room or in any way. I love the info and ideas here!

March 28, 2023 5:20 am

Quite an interesting article it is.

Alison
March 31, 2023 8:43 am

What color did you paint the walls in your entryway? I love that combo with the trim in Setting Plaster.

sue
April 18, 2023 10:27 am

Lovely colors. We go through A LOT of design changes in our home and paint is one of the funnest. I’m curious if you ever do your own painting, especially not just on the walls but trim/moulding.

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