There are some colors that fade in and out, but one we always like is white, particularly for paint. It looks clean, adaptable, and fashionable, especially in a place you just moved into. Unless, of course, the walls are painted in a glaringly bright shade of white, which seems cold and unwelcoming. “Tenant whiteness” is especially uniform in areas where property owners add a new layer among renters. The attempt to update is valued, but often the tenant’s white is too chilly and dull. To add coziness to your new place, choose another neutral, landlord-approved option.
How to choose your new shade?
When you’re narrowing down a new version of a neutral white, this long, rental, consider a few things. Do you prefer warm or cool undertones? What accent colors will be in the room? How much sunlight does the room receive?
However, don’t limit yourself to just creams and beiges. Take it from interior designer Christine Zippert of CC Zippert Design. Think instead of lilac, forest green and navy blue: colors that are anything but insignificant, but very serene.
“Any shade can act as a neutral with just the right amount of gray in it,” says Zippert.
To inspire your paint choices, we’ve selected three interior designers for their favorite shades that can serve as a backdrop for bold accents or blend with a minimalist aesthetic. No matter what paint color you choose, I bet it will make you feel at home right away.
Meet the expert
- Nureed Saeed is the creative director of Nu Interiors, an interior design and renovation project management company.
- Christine Zippert is the design director of CC Zippert Design, an interior design firm in Los Angeles.
- Victoria Meadows is the owner of the eponymous design studio Victoria Meadows Interiors.
Navy blue
you’ve heard There’s a lot of talk about navy being the new hot color, says interior designer Nureed Saeed. The classic neutral can tie a variety of color stories together seamlessly.
“I don’t think it’s ever happened again, it’s always in fashion,” Saeed says.
Try navy blue walls with white cabinets for a sophisticatedly designed living room or combine navy blue paint with black and beige elements for a neutral yet very elegant kitchen scheme. The options don’t end there: Saeed recommends a mix of navy, red, pink and purple for a sense of fun in a room, or combining navy with green, yellow and wood tones for a luxurious yet livable living room.
Mole
When taupe – a rich mix of gray and brown – is good, it’s great, says Zippert. Consider taupe as a new take on a go-with-everything paint color and a balanced backdrop for burgundy or red, colors that can look bold if not softened by a neutral, mid-toned background.
Be careful, though, Zippert warns: Avoid taupes with prominent yellow tones, “or you’ll end up with a ’90s beige room,” she says.
Instead, aim for a shade with a small splash of green.
Green forest
If you’re looking for a whimsical vibe without draining the light from a space, reach for a can of forest green paint.
“A combination of yellow, blue and black, forest green takes the best parts of all three to create a natural, earthy feel,” says Saeed.
Forest green goes particularly well with any metallic finish. Think brass hardware in a bathroom or stainless steel in a kitchen. For a light color scheme, feature forest green with coral or lilac accents, or tan or brown for a more nature-inspired palette.
“After all, what is more neutral than Mother Nature herself?” Saeed asks.
Pastel blue
If there’s one color that will instantly reduce your stress level at the sight, it’s a serene pastel blue, says interior designer Victoria Meadows. No matter what you pair it with – wood tones, marble, metallic finishes, or all of the above – it will serve as a soothing neutral backdrop.
“We love using this color in a bathroom or bedroom for a fresh start and end to each day,” says Meadows.
Greek
Part beige, part gray and an absolutely timeless neutral: that’s greige. Wherever you apply a coat of gray paint, its warmth will add a touch of luxury to your home.
“Tired of gray and feeling like solid beige takes you back to your parents’ living room in that subdivision you grew up in?” Saeed asks. That’s where care comes in, he says.
Saeed recommends using greige paint to warm up kitchen cabinets.
“This takes you away from the standard, sanitary white look,” he says.
Or try greige in the bedroom for a bright, comforting color.
cream coloured
Cream may fall under the “white” umbrella, but its muted tones are decidedly different from the blinding white you might be used to, especially if you opt for Saeed’s contrasting top. Combine cream walls with a contrasting color, such as dark charcoal or black, for baseboards and windows. Goodbye boring and obsolete white. Hello, warm and amazing cream.
Grey-Green
One Zippert color returns again and again: gray-green. It’s built for layering and creates an anchor for brighter pops of color (for example, striking artwork) and pattern (like a floral duvet cover) without competing.
“It looks so beautiful in rooms with lots of windows,” says Zippert, “it ebbs and flows from green to gray depending on the sunlight, and feels at home with the landscape outside.”
Bat
Do you shudder at the thought of a neutral paint color, imagining a flat, lifeless shade that doesn’t do your space any favors? Consider the bat instead, Zippert says. The right shade is full of personality, but serves as a complementary backdrop for all types of artwork and furniture.
“When used for built-ins or to cover white walls, it adds a layer of depth to a space without creating too much contrast,” says Zippert.
Textured wallpaper
For a neutral background with added character, think beyond paint. There are plenty of affordable, removable (and owner-approved) wallpapers on the market that are easy to remove without leaving a sticky residue on the day you leave.
“A white, gray or cream wallpaper can add subtle texture and interest,” says Zippert. “There are so many beautiful natural materials and water-based prints in soft colors that are happy to serve as a backdrop rather than dominate a space.”
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