12 Tried & Tested Paint Colours for Your Walls
Discover one pro designer's time-tested favourite paint hues for kitchens, baths, bedrooms and more
Some people know what general paint colour they want but struggle with envisioning the exact shade. Others are just scared to commit to colour because they’re not sure what works best with their furniture. One of the points about paint I like to make with clients is that the colours you may like may be very different from colours you want to live with.
Some shades translate perfectly to walls. Some, although beautiful, are better saved for fabrics or rugs. Here are some shades of popular, tried-and-true paint colours that I think translate very well to walls.
Some shades translate perfectly to walls. Some, although beautiful, are better saved for fabrics or rugs. Here are some shades of popular, tried-and-true paint colours that I think translate very well to walls.
Green
I have long admired the shade of green in this kitchen. I think it’s perfectly paired with the white cabinets and does a good job of adding warmth.
I have long admired the shade of green in this kitchen. I think it’s perfectly paired with the white cabinets and does a good job of adding warmth.
Red
When a client asks me to select a red for them, I like to go with a pure, fire engine red. I paint one or two walls and then throw in some more red in rugs or fabrics. I like pairing red with blue or brown as accents.
See how red and grey dominate the theme of this Mumbai bachelor pad
When a client asks me to select a red for them, I like to go with a pure, fire engine red. I paint one or two walls and then throw in some more red in rugs or fabrics. I like pairing red with blue or brown as accents.
See how red and grey dominate the theme of this Mumbai bachelor pad
Yellow
One of the trickiest paint colours to get right is yellow, but this shade is just right. A tip for picking a yellow from a paint fan deck: Select something that looks almost beige. Yellow is always much brighter on a wall than on a paint chip.
One of the trickiest paint colours to get right is yellow, but this shade is just right. A tip for picking a yellow from a paint fan deck: Select something that looks almost beige. Yellow is always much brighter on a wall than on a paint chip.
Brown
My favourite neutral colour for walls is brown. There are many beautiful shades of brown that are so versatile. Brown works great with orange, green, red and other neutral shades.
My favourite neutral colour for walls is brown. There are many beautiful shades of brown that are so versatile. Brown works great with orange, green, red and other neutral shades.
Greige
A made-up colour, but important enough to mention because I use it so much. A soft grey with beige undertones that is a perfect complement to most white marbles, such as Calacatta. It’s a great solution for those who feel grey is too cold.
A made-up colour, but important enough to mention because I use it so much. A soft grey with beige undertones that is a perfect complement to most white marbles, such as Calacatta. It’s a great solution for those who feel grey is too cold.
Beige
A basic beige is a must-have for my paint arsenal. I love beige all through the house punctuated with bold colour and other neutrals. Loved for its versatility, beige is also a great choice as a backdrop for an art collection.
Here’s how you can make a beige room pop
A basic beige is a must-have for my paint arsenal. I love beige all through the house punctuated with bold colour and other neutrals. Loved for its versatility, beige is also a great choice as a backdrop for an art collection.
Here’s how you can make a beige room pop
Lavender
I know some loyal lavender lovers. This soft, barely-there-shade is gorgeous and looks best with a crisp white trim. I love mixing lavender with robin’s egg blue or grey.
I know some loyal lavender lovers. This soft, barely-there-shade is gorgeous and looks best with a crisp white trim. I love mixing lavender with robin’s egg blue or grey.
Pink
Not just for little girls’ bedrooms, pink can be very sophisticated in the right shade. My favourite pinks are soft and purely pink. Pink looks great paired with white, grey, green and blue.
Check out these ways to use pink without making it look OTT
Not just for little girls’ bedrooms, pink can be very sophisticated in the right shade. My favourite pinks are soft and purely pink. Pink looks great paired with white, grey, green and blue.
Check out these ways to use pink without making it look OTT
Grey
A popular colour for modern and transitional interiors, grey is a unique neutral. I love a soft charcoal grey paired with creamy whites and beige. Try grey with a punch of chartreuse for a surprising combination that really works.
A popular colour for modern and transitional interiors, grey is a unique neutral. I love a soft charcoal grey paired with creamy whites and beige. Try grey with a punch of chartreuse for a surprising combination that really works.
White
White is really one of the most asked-about colours. The perfect white is sought after for cabinets and trims. Undertones in white paint are important and can really shift a palette.
Take a look at these 10 beautiful white rooms
White is really one of the most asked-about colours. The perfect white is sought after for cabinets and trims. Undertones in white paint are important and can really shift a palette.
Take a look at these 10 beautiful white rooms
Black
A surprisingly elegant choice for any room, black looks great against most colours. When using black, try contrasting it with crisp white trim and punchy colours in fabrics or rugs. I prefer to see an eggshell finish on walls, and black looks particularly sophisticated in eggshell.
Read more:
The Secret to a Long-Lasting Wall Paint Job
Tell us:
Share an image of your room with your tried-and-tested paint pick in the Comments below.
A surprisingly elegant choice for any room, black looks great against most colours. When using black, try contrasting it with crisp white trim and punchy colours in fabrics or rugs. I prefer to see an eggshell finish on walls, and black looks particularly sophisticated in eggshell.
Read more:
The Secret to a Long-Lasting Wall Paint Job
Tell us:
Share an image of your room with your tried-and-tested paint pick in the Comments below.
One of my favourite choices for a bedroom is a soft sky blue with a subtle sage undertone. Blue is calming and a logical choice for slumber-inducing relaxation.