Choosing the right paint color for your entire house can have a significant impact on the overall atmosphere and flow of your home. In this article, we will explore the most popular whole house paint colors for 2024 and provide some valuable insights to help you make the best decision.
Deciding on a single color or a coordinating color palette for your whole house can feel overwhelming. However, by following a few guidelines, you can choose colors that work well with various finishes, decorating styles, and personal tastes.
The right whole house color palette sets the stage for your home and allows other elements to shine. Before delving into the details of color selection, consider whether you want one color for every space or if you prefer a single color for open areas and a coordinating palette for other rooms.
Test Lighting Before Choosing a Paint Color
One crucial aspect to consider is how lighting affects each room in your home. Paint colors can appear different depending on the time of day and the exposure of the room. To avoid any unpleasant surprises, it's important to observe how light affects the color throughout the day.
Undertones play a significant role in how a paint color looks under different lighting conditions. If you are unable to monitor the color changes throughout the day, it's advisable to choose a paint color with minimal undertones.
Undertones To Avoid
When selecting a whole house paint color, it's generally recommended to avoid strong blue and yellow undertones. Blue can make spaces feel cold and drab, while an excess of yellow is usually not desirable. However, blue undertoned paints can work perfectly in bedrooms, bathrooms, or enclosed spaces where you have more control over the lighting conditions.
Popular Colors For a Whole House
Neutral paint colors, light earth tones, and shades of white are considered the safest choices for whole house color schemes. Neutrals and whites come with their own challenges, such as determining the dominant undertone.
To ensure a balanced look, it's recommended to opt for warmer neutrals and whites. This counteracts cool light and prevents warm lighting from washing out the color.
1. Sherwin Williams Repose Gray
Repose Gray is a versatile and popular paint color that works well in any room. It creates a light and bright ambiance while providing a warm neutral backdrop. Although it technically has a green/taupe undertone, it's barely visible in most lighting conditions.
2. Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray
Agreeable Gray is another highly sought-after greige paint color. It can appear warmer or cooler depending on the lighting, giving your space a versatile look.
3. Benjamin Moore Paper White
Paper White is a light dove gray with a hint of green, ensuring that it never looks cold. It's an excellent choice for rooms with east and west-facing light, as it maintains its light and bright color in poorly lit areas.
4. Benjamin Moore Classic Gray
If you prefer a warmer neutral, Classic Gray is an ideal option. It has enough gray to prevent it from feeling too warm and pairs well with various accent colors.
White Colors That Are Great Choices
1. Sherwin Williams Pure White
SW Pure White is a bright white color with a touch of warmth, avoiding a stark appearance. It works perfectly on walls as well as trim, providing a clean white look without worrying about undertones.
2. Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace
Chantilly Lace is Benjamin Moore's brightest white. It has no apparent undertones and will reflect colors from its surroundings.
3. Benjamin Moore White Dove
White Dove offers a creamy softness, making it ideal for rooms with north-facing light. It creates a warm and inviting atmosphere without appearing yellow.
4. Sherwin Williams Shoji White
Shoji White has gained popularity due to its ability to blend greige and creamy shades. It adds warmth to a space while maintaining a light and bright feel.
What's The Right Paint Color For Trim Work?
Choosing a single shade of white for all trim work, including doors, moldings, and casings, ensures a cohesive look. If you opt for a bright white wall color, such as Pure White or Chantilly Lace, use the same color for trim in a different sheen. Typically, a washable matte sheen or eggshell is used for walls, while satin or semi-gloss is used for trim.
For greige or neutral wall colors, SW Pure White or BM Chantilly Lace are excellent choices. SW Pure White's slight warm undertone complements warmer colors, while BM Chantilly Lace adds contrast as a bright white trim color. Other bright whites suitable for trim include SW Extra White and SW High Reflective White.
If you prefer a creamier white for trim, BM White Dove is a beautiful option. BM Simply White is another popular choice; however, it has a yellow undertone that may appear more prominent in certain lighting conditions.
When To Deviate From The Whole House Color Scheme
Feel free to add an accent wall or experiment with different colors in a powder room. Powder rooms offer a safe space to explore paint color trends and step out of your comfort zone.
Choosing one color for your entire house simplifies the process and creates a cohesive look. However, adding a pop of color can prevent your home from feeling monotonous and give it a personal touch.
Final Thoughts
In 2024, we expect to see more warmth incorporated into home color schemes. While whites and grays have been popular in recent years, warmer grays, greiges, and tans will become increasingly favored choices.
Selecting the best whole house interior paint colors requires careful consideration of lighting, undertones, and personal preferences. By following these guidelines and exploring the recommended colors, you can create a harmonious and inviting atmosphere throughout your home.