Neutral doesn't have to be boring. Below, 13 designers share their tips for choosing the best neutral paint colors to help make your home the perfect oasis.
Take notes from this roster of industry pros, including Alexandra Killion, who shares why you shouldn't go straight for the brightest white, and Melanie Turner, who reveals her favorite warm neutral paint color. Plus, a host of other designers give us their go-to neutral paint picks and more.
Whether you follow the forecast for the year's top paint colors or forge your own path, you can't go wrong with any of these designer-approved tips for choosing the best neutral paint colors.
Tips + Tricks For Choosing The Best Neutral Paint Colors For Your Home:
Neutrals For Bedrooms
“Skewing from our normal whites, we love Benjamin Moore Polar Ice when it comes to neutrals. This is such a serene tone, perfect for a primary bedroom.”
—Helen Bergin, Helen Bergin Interiors | Palm Beach, Florida
Benjamin Moore Polar Ice wraps around this light and bright primary bedroom.
Designers’ Favorite White Paint Colors
“Some of my favorite neutrals are Simply White, Chantilly Lace and White Dove by Benjamin Moore, and Pointing, Wimborne White and All White by Farrow & Ball.”
—Ariel Okin, Ariel Okin Interiors | Westchester, New York
(Check out this happy-hued home in the Hamptons by Ariel Okin.)
This classic white house in New Canaan, Connecticut is a project of Ariel Okin Interiors.
Creating The Perfect Backdrop
“My go-to neutrals include bold blacks, calm grays, and creamy whites. These colors provide a versatile backdrop that complement a variety of styles and additional colors.”
—Tiffany Brooks, Tiffany Brooks Interiors | Grayslake, Illinois
A blend of neutrals creates a sense of calm in this bedroom.
Consider The Mood You're Going For
"What feel do you want the room to have? If you want it to be really light and modern, then go for neutrals with blue undertones. If you want a cozy, relaxing room go with a creamier neutral.
The décor and lighting in a room should also be considered. Dark wood, mood lighting, and heavier fabrics call for creamier neutrals, whereas modern furniture, light, bright colored fabrics, and ample natural light call for neutrals with blue undertones."
—Jenna Gross, Colordrunk Designs | Atlanta, Georgia
This kitchen features Benjamin Moore White Dove.
Unexpected Neutrals For Bedrooms
“In my primary bedroom I wanted a soft pink neutral to offset the rich color of the bedframe and side tables. The bold pops in the art play perfectly with the warm subtle pink walls. Soft pink is an unexpected neutral, it goes with everything and looks elegant. Soft pink also highlights the lighting in the room, with warm yellow lighting the soft pink walls become cozy and comforting.”
—Nadia Watts, Nadia Watts Interior Design | Denver, Colorado
(Get Nadia Watts's tips for infusing color into your interiors.)
Nadia Watts opts for an unexpected neutral paint color with Benjamin Moore First Light, a soft pink.
Looking to add more punch to your palette? Check out designers' predictions for the top paint colors of 2025.
Picking The Right Gray Neutral Paint
“There is so much controversy around gray right now, but the right gray hue can be transformative. It doesn’t have to be sad or generic. My go-to neutral gray is infused with a bit of blue and a bit of green, but not too much of either. With gray, it’s all about balance and intention.”
—Jeff Andrews, Jeff Andrews Design | Los Angeles, California
Pavilion Gray by Farrow & Ball sets the tone in the primary bedroom of this Los Angeles home.
Tips For Choosing The Best Neutral Paint Color
"1. Don’t just pick the brightest white on the paint deck. It will make everything else look yellow.
2. Incorporate texture to make things look layered.
3. Don’t worry! You can always add different colors and accents later on."
—Alexandra Killion, Alexandra Killion Interiors | Houston, Texas
Darker accents pop against the white base of this modern living room.
Try This Warm Neutral
"Diverse Beige from Sherwin Williams is a versatile, warm neutral that brings a subtle touch of elegance to any space. Its balanced blend of beige and taupe tones makes it a perfect backdrop for a variety of styles, seamlessly complementing both traditional and contemporary interiors. Used as the ceiling color in this covered porch, it brings a sophisticated warmth."
—Melanie Turner, Melanie Turner Interiors | Atlanta, Georgia
Diverse Beige from Sherwin Williams adds a touch of classic charm to this covered porch.
Neutral Doesn’t Have To Mean White
“Neutral is in the eye of the beholder! A color can become neutral depending on the colors it is mixed with—it does not necessarily need to be white. Decide on a warm or cool tone. Pink, gray, or even blue can be neutral.”
—Phillip Thomas, Phillip Thomas Inc. | New York, New York
Using pink as a neutral ups the whimsy in this Phillip Thomas project.
Creamy Neutrals for a Refined Touch
"Creamy cream is back in a big way. I am seeing a shift in people leaning towards a soft cream versus all white. Paint everything the same color to create an elevated look."
—Mary Patton, Mary Patton Design | Houston
"I think people are tired of stark white, it can feel a little sterile and cream is more soothing," says Houston designer Mary Patton.
Pull Your Palette From Nature
"Any soft whites and warm grays that pull from natural materials in wood and stone are our go-to neutral paint colors. Too many cool grays can eventually look out of date, and you have to be careful with beiges for the same reason."
—Jennifer Miller, Jennifer Miller Studio | Los Angeles, California
(Don't miss Jennifer Miller's wallpaper line, inspired by her watercolor artworks.)
Benjamin Moore Cloud White makes the perfect neutral backdrop in this cozy kitchen.
Neutral Paint Color Predictions For 2025
"There was such a strong use of gray in the last decade or so that we have been sourcing creamier whites, with warmer undertones for our walls where we want a neutral palette. Forecast for 2025 is that these warmer tones will still hold strong like this guest bedroom painted in Benjamin Moore Alaskan Skies 972. It has personality, but lets the furnishings and artwork take center stage."
— Anna Kroesser, Kroesser + Strat Design | New York
Benjamin Moore- Alaskan Skies 97 envelops this guest bedroom.
Exploring Whites With Varying Undertones
"Sherwin Williams Snowbound has historically been our go-to white paint. It’s a perfect neutral—crisp, but still soft. Recently, we’ve been favoring warmer white tones, such as Alabaster, White Duck, and Oyster White. For richer neutral tones, we love Worldly Gray and Wool Skein."
—Alexis Pew, Kaminski + Pew | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
(Check out how Kaminski + Pew eschewed minimalism for a playful wallpaper in a recent project.)
Custom kitchen cabinetry with inset doors and brass hardware are painted Sherwin Williams Wool Skein.
Turn To The Experts For Help
"Don’t be shy about taking fabric or wallpaper samples with you to the paint store—it’s also incredibly helpful to come armed with photos of the space and other decorative elements like art and lighting. The people who work there are filled to the brim with experience and are ready and willing to help you select the ideal neutral."
—Krista Nye Nicholas + Tami Ramsay, Cloth & Kind | Georgia + Michigan
A modern kitchen in a crisp white shade of paint.
