Selecting a whole house interior paint color palate can be intimidating because it feels so permanent and expensive with too many color options to choose from. These ideas will help you select the right color.
Interior Paint Colors for the Entire House
I’ve repainted many rooms in my house because the paint color just didn’t turn out as expected and I didn’t consider things like lighting or undertones.
Before I learned about paint colors, I used to buy an entire gallon from the appearance of a paint chip.
I didn’t even bring the paint chips home to see how they looked in my own home and I didn’t buy samples to test on the wall.
This was a horrible mistake because I spent more money than planned and spent time repainting rooms because I didn’t select the right paint color.
So, learn from my mistakes to avoid spending more money than you planned and get the color right the first time!
Selecting Paint Colors for the Whole House
When selecting paint colors for the interior of your home, consider the natural lighting in each room and the feel that you want to create.
It is best to pick a color that you don’t have to commit to especially if you aren’t sure what your style is.
What I mean is, don’t select a color like gray, tan, or a bold color for your whole house because you have to be dedicated to that color palate.
Believe me because I jumped on the gray bandwagon hard, and ended up repainting my house just a couple years later.
When you paint your whole house the color gray or tan, you are limited to what other colors that you can bring into the space.
Colors like gray are trendy and only pair with other cool undertone colors. Gray tends to be cold bringing a stark feeling to a room instead of warm and inviting.
Undertones in Whole House Interior Paint Colors
Before selecting any paint color, especially one for the whole house, you should consider undertones.
Undertones play a big role in how the color appears in a room, so this is why it is so important to test the same color in multiple rooms and walls.
A color can appear dramatically different in each room depending on the natural lighting in the room.
Many colors appear different on the paint chip compared to the wall that they are painted on because of the lighting, furnishing, decor, flooring, and other paint colors in the home.
So, be sure to test the color several times before committing or the white wall that you dreamed of might end up a shade of pink or yellow because of the undertone.
Moderne White SW 6168
I painted my entire first floor in Moderne White by Sherwin Williams and it is the color that I always pictured in my head, but couldn’t get right until now.
Moderne White is a very light greige that warms up a room without showing yellow undertones.
It is one of the most perfect whole house colors in my opinion because it blends with various color tones and home decor styles. You can easily bring in other paint colors near Moderne White, so if you want to go bold in a nearby bathroom this is a great color for that.
Agreeable Gray SW 7029
The name Agreeable Gray explains this color perfectly because this color agrees with any color that it is partnered with.
This color accepts the surrounding color palate with ease while bringing warmth to any space that it is painted.
This is a great option if you have commitment issues when it comes to paint because this color just goes with the flow.
Agreeable Gray has a slight beige undertone that prevents this color from being another stark shade of gray.
Pure White SW 7005
The color Pure White is a warmer shade of white that won’t appear stark or cold once rolled onto the wall.
This color can show a very slight yellow undertone in natural lighting which is why it warms up a room.
Don’t be alarmed by the slight yellow undertone because it is very subtle.
Pure White is a great option to use as a whole house interior paint color or as a trim or cabinet color.
Alabaster SW 7008
The color Alabaster is very popular in many homes because it is a creamy and cozy shade of white.
Alabaster brings a soft glow to any room that it is painted in due to its yellow undertone.
If you are looking to avoid yellow undertones, you may want to test this paint on a few walls in your home before purchasing several gallons.
Alabaster can appear totally different in a low light room compared to a sunny room. I used Alabaster in my hallway bathroom without windows and the color worked great in this space.
My bathroom has a bone colored tub and toilet, so Alabaster complimented instead of competing against the bone.
Tips to Break up Neutral Paint Colors
Painting a whole house the same color can sound boring and it might end up that way if not decorated correctly.
To break up the neutral wall color, try adding shelving, wall art, textured curtains, colorful throw pillows, greenery, and area rugs.
Bringing in texture is one of the easiest ways to create visual interest in a neutral painted room.
You can add texture in a many ways by adhering a grid accent wall, picture molding, or floor to ceiling shelving with decorative items and plants.
Conclusion
Create a home that will be in style for many years to come by selecting a whole house interior paint color that blends with various other tones. A light shade of griege is a great option for the entire house that doesn’t commit to warm or cool tones. Instead this color accepts the surrounding tones and blends with any other paint color.