Paint Color Ideas & Tips

Rev up your next paint project with these inspiring ideas and clever tips.
Colorful dining room with abstract wall art, a piano, round table, velvet chairs, plants, and a modern chandelier.
A Formerly Beige UK Home Got a Major Transformation During Lockdown
Rich O’Gorman has only owned this two-bedroom Victorian home for a year, but he's spent that last year absolutely coating each room with gloriously colorful murals.
Viv Yapp
Jul 5, 2021
The Best Color to Paint Every Room, According to Real Estate Agents
No more all-white walls.
Jennifer Billock
Jul 3, 2021
See How 5 Designers Made the Same Paint Colors Look Totally Different
Small Cool Experience 2021
Whether you're splitting a can of paint between two rooms in your apartment or making use of a friend's leftover DIY project paint, you can make a shade look specific to your space.
Sarah Everett
Jun 19, 2021
Here's What Real Estate Experts Want You to Know About Painting Floors
There are two kinds of colors you should avoid.
Adrienne Jordan
Jun 16, 2021
This Super Simple Painting Hack Makes a Small Room Feel Way Bigger
Small Cool Experience 2021
It'll even save you money on cans of paint!
Ella Cerón
Jun 14, 2021
This Painting Hack Will Cut Your Cleanup Time in Half (or More)
Small Cool Experience 2021
This trick uses supplies you probably already have.
Megan Baker Detloff
Jun 12, 2021
The Unexpected Spot You Probably Haven’t Thought to Paint — Yet
Small/Cool Experience 2021
And it's a low-lift project, too.
Nicoletta Richardson
Jun 11, 2021
This Calm Neutral Is Summer’s Hottest Paint Color, According to This Survey
If you're planning to repaint this summer, these five colors will have you covered.
Inigo Del Castillo
Jun 11, 2021
An Artist's Small Apartment Is Filled With Incredible One-of-a-Kind Murals
Katelan Foisy painted all the backdrops in her rental apartment, which mixes theatricality with luxury hotel vibes. "I always wanted to live in a theater and this is the way I bring that dream to life."
Apartment Therapy Submissions
Jun 8, 2021
One "Just in Case" Item Almost Everyone Can (And Should!) Declutter
Weekend Projects
It's probably expired, and if you need to reference it again — someone else is keeping all the records for you.
Shifrah Combiths
May 24, 2021
Reddit's Favorite "Life-Changing" Items Under $10 Prove How Far 10 Bucks Can Go
These 7 picks are worth adding to your toolbox.
Carolin Lehmann
May 26, 2021
Here’s Why This HGTV Expert Says You Should Avoid Painting Your Walls White
NEWS
Designer Orlando Soria has the photographic evidence to back up his word.
Leah Groth
May 19, 2021
This $3 Paint Aisle Staple Is My Secret for Cleaning Hard-to-Reach Places
Don't sleep on this cleaning trick.
Megan Baker Detloff
May 16, 2021
This Cabinet Color Will Help Your Kitchen Feel “Less Sterile,” According to a Celebrity Chef
People are yearning to make their kitchens more exciting, and painting your cabinets this color is the way to do it.
Nicoletta Richardson
Apr 30, 2021
This Has to Be the Easiest Way to Elevate Your Home With Paint
Weekend Projects
Painting has this transformative power, but your weekend project doesn't have to be as involved as painting an entire room or even a whole wall.
Shifrah Combiths
Apr 30, 2021
How Bathrooms From 6 Famous Paintings Would Look Like Today
From artists Edvard Munch, Fernando Botero, Roy Lichtenstein, and more.
Jessica Wang
Apr 24, 2021
Tia Mowry is Making the Case For Dramatic Dark Walls
That master bath! That bedroom!
Jessica Wang
Apr 24, 2021
The “Whitest Paint On Record” Was Just Created, and It Could Lessen the Need for AC
You may have heard of the invention of “Vantablack,” the blackest black paint on the market — so black that it does not reflect any sunlight, effectively making whatever it’s painted on a visual black hole. Researchers at Purdue University just made Vantablack’s white equivalent, which they say is the “whitest paint on record.”According to Dezeen, the “ultra-white” paint reflects 98.
Olivia Harvey
Apr 20, 2021
Kaley Cuoco’s Black-on-Black House Exterior Is Goth in the Best Way
NEWS
The actress gave her followers a look at her $12 million home in Hidden Hills, Calif., and the black-on-black paint job is anything but gloomy.
Olivia Harvey
Apr 5, 2021
These Unexpected Bathroom Colors Are on Trend for 2021, According to Design Experts
NEWS
If a fresh coat of paint is on your mind, you might be surprised to learn the top-searched bathroom colors for this year so far, according to an interior expert.
Arielle Tschinkel
Apr 1, 2021
Before and After: A Nondescript Bath Becomes Visual Eye-Candy
Just wait until you see this bold, bespoke paint job!
Danielle Blundell
Mar 27, 2021
These 6 Smart Paint Ideas Are 2021's Answer to the DIY Painted Arch
They're just as high-impact and almost as easy, too!
Kelsey Mulvey
Mar 23, 2021
This Is the Color You Should Paint Your Front Door Next, According to HGTV Experts
HGTV stars Leslie Davis and Lyndsay Lamb, who spruce up unmarketable homes for a living, have the insider intel.
Nicoletta Richardson
Mar 24, 2021
This is the Best Paint Color For Your Home Office, According to Experts
The vibrant color improves concentration and creativity.
Jessica Wang
Mar 20, 2021
This Is the Most Instagrammable Paint Color, According to One Study
"It promotes both calm, confidence and a feeling of being grounded."
Inigo Del Castillo
Mar 9, 2021
These New Takes on Old Paint Techniques Will Transform Your Home
Move over, murals! Subtly is in for paint in 2021.
Alyssa Longobucco
Mar 6, 2021
This Viral Hack Promises Perfect Tape-Free Paint Lines, So I Tried It
I tried this so you don't have to. Here are my honest thoughts.
Erin Johnson
Mar 5, 2021
Debra Messing Painted Her Ceilings the Same Color As Her Walls
NEWS
It’s hard not to love the cozy vibe she created by painting her walls and ceiling the same dark red color.
Olivia Harvey
Mar 4, 2021
10 Reasons Your Paint Job Looks Amateur (and How to Fix It)
With these tips, your next paint project will look like it was done by a true pro.
Brigitt Earley
Mar 3, 2021
Here are the 7 Paint Colors Joanna Gaines Used to Transform Homes In “Fixer Upper”
Each episode featured beautiful renovations, and here's how you can get the look.
Emma Kershaw
Mar 2, 2021
This Rental Uses Color Blocking to Distinguish Areas in an Open Layout
Justine introduced pops of color by painting walls with bright colors to complement an open layout. "I specifically wanted to do color blocking on our walls to create an imaginary border between the different areas of our space."
Apartment Therapy Submissions
Mar 1, 2021
A Curb-Appeal Refresh You Can Tackle in One Weekend for $20 or Less
Weekend Projects
At this time of year and this time in the pandemic, you're probably craving a curbside refresh for your home.
Shifrah Combiths
Feb 23, 2021
Kelly Wearstler’s New Paint Collaboration Captures the Beauty of California
The palette of eight hues draws inspiration from California’s landscape and the Pacific Ocean.
Marissa Hermanson
Feb 16, 2021
This Renter Spent 2020 Painting Accent Walls in Bright Colors
Since being trapped inside because of quarantine, Jessie Ruane found solace in painting (and painting...) all her walls and redefining her style.
Apartment Therapy Submissions
Feb 12, 2021
8 Interior Designers Share Their Favorite Kitchen Cabinet Colors
Allow these expert-approved shades to inspire your next kitchen renovation.
Jessica Wang
Feb 14, 2021
This Kansas City Home Has Lots of DIY Details, And Cool Paint Ideas
After downsizing to this 1000-square-foot house, Miranda Wulfekoetter gave this 1954 ranch home more personality, going on a DIY journey.
Apartment Therapy Submissions
Feb 11, 2021
A 450-Square-Foot NYC Rental Fits a Surprising Number of Deep Wall Paint Colors
Laurel created a layered, romantic vibe in her rental apartment inspired by the psychic shop on the ground floor. She painted each room a deep, textured color, hunted down cheap vintage furniture, and added excessive amounts of rugs, curtains, fairy lights, and incense.
Apartment Therapy Submissions
Feb 5, 2021
This Illusion-Inspired Paint Idea Puts a Fun New Twist on a Now Familiar Trend
Paint a wall arch... but make it different!
Savannah West
Jan 30, 2021
A Spacious Rental Apartment Shows How to Use Paint to Add Tons of Personality
"Don't be afraid to paint it and use exciting color. It's amazing how you can express yourself by declaring your home."
Apartment Therapy Submissions
Jan 17, 2021
Valspar’s New Multi-Sensory Experience Lets You Listen to Their 2021 Colors of the Year
Allow "The Sound of Color" to bring you into a state of tranquility.
Jessica Wang
Jan 10, 2021
The Must-Have Painting Tools Landlords Swear By
These pros do a lot of touch-ups.
Lauren Wellbank
Dec 8, 2020
Move Over, White: This (Non-Neutral) Kitchen Cabinet Color Is Trending
This non-neutral is taking over.
Nicoletta Richardson
Nov 12, 2020
This Is the Color You Should Paint Your Kitchen Cabinets, According to Experts
Nicole Gibbons tells all.
Abigail Abesamis Demarest
Nov 4, 2020
Benjamin Moore’s 2021 Color of the Year Is Here, and It's Peaceful and Soothing
This color creates harmony wherever you put it!
Danielle Blundell
Oct 15, 2020
Joanna Gaines Released Her 4 Favorite Kitchen Color Combinations For Fall
Happy fall painting!
Jessica Wang
Sep 23, 2020
Sherwin-Williams’ 2021 Color of the Year Is Where Nostalgia Meets Sanctuary
Sherwin-Williams announced its 2021 Color of the Year, and the hue is a blend of nostalgia with the desire for sanctuary.
Tara Bellucci
Sep 22, 2020
23 Geometric Wall Paint Ideas So Gorgeous, You'll Want to DIY Today
Painted geometric designs are all the rage these days when it comes to adding a little oomph to generic walls, and these 23 ideas will inspire your own DIY projects!
Sarah Lyon
Sep 9, 2020
How to Whitewash Wood for a Modern Farmhouse Look
A step-by-step guide to tackling this easy DIY that's fit for farmhouse modern decor.
Brigitt Earley
Aug 29, 2020
The Ultimate Guide to Mixing Leftover Paints the Right Way, According to Pros
One of the most efficient and fun ways to consolidate your leftover paint supply is to mix it up, literally.
Kate Reggev
Aug 27, 2020
This Instagram Is Filled with Major Wall Mural Inspo for Every Room of the House
It's amazing how creative they get with bold patterns, geometric shapes, and wild color combinations.
Lydia Mack
Aug 25, 2020
I Painted My Bedroom a Bold Color—and Immediately Regretted It
But you don't have to! Learn from my mistake.
Dominique Gebru
Aug 21, 2020
A Photographer's Rental Has Some of the Best DIY Painted Walls We've Ever Seen
Because this apartment is a rental, wallpaper was out of the question, so they painted colorful DIY murals on the walls, instead!
Apartment Therapy Submissions
Aug 20, 2020
What to Do if You Hate Your Paint Job (Yep, You Can Save It!)
Not wild about the color after all? All hope's not lost.
Erin Johnson
Aug 19, 2020
5 Mistakes Pro Painters Wish You'd Stop Making
You'll get a better result for less time, money, and hassle by following these pro painting tips.
Brigitt Earley
Aug 17, 2020
These Are the Most Popular Paint Colors, According to Instagram
If you’re thinking of painting your room gray, you’re not alone.
Inigo Del Castillo
Jul 31, 2020
The Unexpected Paint Color Combination You Need to Try, Based on Your Enneagram Type
Here's some colorful inspiration for your next project.
Erin Johnson
Jul 31, 2020
How to Choose the Right Paint Finish for Your Home Project
Should you go flat or glossy? Pros give the breakdown on the differences between each finish, and which works best where.
Megan Baker Detloff
Jul 30, 2020
How Do Paint Colors Get Their Names, Anyway?
We asked experts at some of the biggest paint companies and got to the bottom of this age-old question.
Sarah Lyon
Jul 29, 2020
Here's What to Do if You Hate the Color You Picked But Don't Want to Repaint
Nine fast fixes for a common DIY fail.
Caroline Biggs
Jul 25, 2020
This House is What Happens When a DIY’er With a Paintbrush Learns to Love Color
If you're in the market for DIY colorful shape painting inspiration, this house is for you!
Apartment Therapy Submissions
Jul 24, 2020
Why You Shouldn’t Paint Your Walls Gray, According to Reddit
Taking notes.
Nicoletta Richardson
Jul 21, 2020
How to Pick the Right Paint Brush for Your Project
Should you reach for natural or synthetic? Flat or angled? Here, the pros break it down for you.
Brigitt Earley
Jul 20, 2020
How To Install a Dimmer Switch
Dimmer switches are great, not only do they provide opportunity for mood lighting and ambiance, but also save money due to reduced power usage. Almost all the lights in my home are on a dimmer switch, except for the bedrooms, where we’d actually like to have them the most.
Rachel Wray Thompson
Jul 18, 2020
Paint Color Portfolio: Coral Bathrooms
Coral can be defined as a reddish yellow, pinkish yellow or a light yellowish red. It’s similar in shade to salmon and tangerine, with the former having a stronger pink undertone and the latter, a stronger orange. Coral is often associated with colors suited for a Caribbean beach house or tropical decor, but with the variety of tones, this bold yet warm color is quite easy to pull off in many spaces.
Kimber Watson
Jul 17, 2020
Unexpected Drama: An Out-of-the-Box Kitchen Color Combo
It’s an exciting time to be choosing a kitchen color scheme. Not only have we seen a lot of fresh trends emerge in recent years, but bold and playful hues are ever more welcome in this traditional space. If you’re a color lover looking to branch out in your kitchen this year, you might want to take a peek at this surprising color combo to see if it’s right for you.
Adrienne Breaux
Jul 17, 2020
This Is the Best—and Cheapest!—Room in Your Home to Paint a Ceiling
Plus, it's rental-friendly and helps boost natural light, too!
Dominique Gebru
Jul 17, 2020
7 Things You Should Know Before Painting Your Kitchen Cabinets
If you’re looking for a relatively painless, low-cost way to update your kitchen, and have ever been on the internet, you know that painting your cabinets is the way to go. Honestly, I can’t think of better dollar-to-dramatic improvement ratio on any other project. And the news gets better: It’s way easier now than it was the olden days, before the miracle of chalk paint.
Dana McMahan
Jul 17, 2020
Before & After: A Revived Wooden Mirror
After spending four muddy days under flood water this mirror was on top of a pile of trash, destined for the tip. Then I got sentimental and retrieved it. It was too wet and filthy to bring inside so it spent the next 6 months outside before I finally decided it was time to make it work or let it go. I toyed with the idea of painting it bright yellow but in the end I couldn’t do it, so I kept it simple and tried to return it to its former glory.
Sarah Starkey
Jul 17, 2020
A Safe Non-Toxic Sealant for a Wooden Highchair?
Q: What is a safe, nontoxic sealant for a wooden highchair? We have an old wooden highchair that has a tray with all the finish worn off. The tray had also broken in half where it was seamed together. I glued it together again, but I’d like to refinish it to make it easier to clean. It is in otherwise perfect condition and we want to use it for our grandchildren.
Cambria Bold
Jul 17, 2020
Using a Hair Dryer to Remove Paint and More
Last week we discussed about getting started on wrangling our cords and cables in our home office, a project that required us to get moving on painting the interior before installing the cable channel guides we purchased. And painting we did!
Gregory Han
Jul 17, 2020
Partner
2018’s Trending Color Palettes, According to Our Readers
You’ve been searching, and (not to sound creepy) we’ve been watching. Today, we’re revealing three new Color Search palettes based on your top color searches. Color Search is, of course, our cool tool that lets you look at any image in our House Tours and tells you what Sherwin-Williams paint color will get you that look. Or, if you’re going the other way, lets you tell us what colors you’re feeling and see how other real people have used them in their homes.
Tim Minerd
Jul 17, 2020
Rules to Remember When You Want Dark Walls in a Small Space
Angie Teater‘s Midtown East studio apartment in Manhattan is, quite simply, stunning. There’s plenty of furniture arrangement inspiration for your own studio apartment, but there’s something special Angie aced in her home: She used dark wall paint without making her small (350 square feet, to be exact) apartment feel like a cave.Below, the smart ways she pulled it off translated into “rules” to keep in mind if you are planning on going over to the dark side.
Adrienne Breaux
Jul 17, 2020