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7 Best Paint Colors for Rooms with Natural Light

7 Best Paint Colors for Rooms with Natural Light
  1. Angi
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Spruce up your sunny space with these colors

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If your house is washed in sunlight, you’ve been given a unique opportunity to play with color. What that looks like is entirely dependent on your taste and the space itself. Perhaps you want to paint your home a uniform neutral, then bring in color via a wallpaper accent wall. Or maybe your furniture is going to be the true star of the show, and you plan to pick a paint color to complement it.

Whatever direction you take, you can’t go wrong with any of these paint colors for rooms with lots of natural light.

1. White

Photo: Morsa Images / DigitalVision / Getty Images

For a room with a lot of natural light, white is an obvious choice—and one that never goes out of style. Picking the right white comes down to personal preference and whether you prefer cool tones or warmer hues, as well as what other elements you’re working with in the room, such as hardwood floors versus concrete. 

If you’re unsure and your taste lies somewhere in the middle, choosing a white with a touch of umber is a safe bet. And testing out multiple shades of white by painting large swatches on the wall is always a wise move.

Recommended colors:

2. Deep Purple

Photo: worldwide_stock

With its whimsical vibes and instant mood-boosting qualities, purple is about as versatile a color as you’re going to find. It runs the gamut of shades from jewel-toned amethyst to deep eggplant like Benjamin Moore’s Exotic Purple to lighter on the color wheel like this year’s Pantone Color of the Year, a blue-heavy periwinkle with violet-red undertones. Painting a bedroom? A fresh lilac is also a timeless color, one that’s well-suited for nurseries and kids’ rooms in particular.

Recommended colors:

3. Bright Blue

Photo: bennnn / Adobe Stock

Blue is a popular interior paint color thanks to its ability to set your mind at ease. It’s also said to spark imagination and create a soothing, calming vibe. There’s a reason many beach houses are dressed up in shades of blue—it’s a great option for rooms with natural light as windows will reflect the color of both the sky and the sea back into the home. 

If you consider yourself a trendsetter who doesn’t mind going big and bold, an ocean blue or a dusky navy can do wonders to set the mood in any room.

Recommended colors:

4.

Rich Green

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Mint green, emerald green, earthy green—you have your pick of shades to complement a sunny space. A brighter green will pop against dark woods and trim and look great with velvet furniture. If you have a large yard and your windows reflect the color of the grass into your home, you might want to go with a more contemporary jewel-toned paint to offset the earth-y hues.

Recommended colors:

5. Neutral Beige

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If you’re working with an open floor plan, you may want to paint the majority of your walls a uniform shade of off-white, beige, or cream, then bring in pops of color through lighting, an accent wall, and furniture. Playing with greige paint—a cross between gray and beige—can also help you achieve a balance between warm and cool tones if you’ve used a mixture of both in your room.

Recommended colors:

6. Bright Yellow

Photo: irina88w / iStock / Getty Images

Lighter colors reflect light, whereas darker colors absorb it. This is why paint colors like yellows are popular in rooms with lots of natural light.

If you want your walls to shine bright, you can opt for a lighter shade that will make your room a sunny space. Or if you love the idea of living in a virtual sunflower field, you may want to choose a brighter hue or a paint that’s almost gold.

 Recommended colors: 

7.

Bold Orange

Photo: dbdavidova / Adobe Stock

Orange is a color some homeowners tend to shy away from, as it certainly makes a statement (and a little can go a long way). But a room with natural light is a great canvas for an orange accent wall—or the entire room if you’re so inclined—as it can energize any space. It’s also well-suited for midcentury modern designs as burnt orange was used liberally in wallpaper, upholstery, carpet, and other furnishings from that design era. 

Recommended colors: 

If you’re still searching for the right paint color for a room with natural light, you could consider hiring a local interior designer to give you professional input or a local painter to give you their insight.

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50 Best Living Room Color Ideas

Read McKendree

When it comes to living room design, a flattering color palette is one of the first aspects you need to nail down. It will likely drive the whole design scheme and set the mood for years to come. Plus, your living room is probably the most-used room in the house, so choosing colors that make you look forward to spending time in it is a must! Whether you want something bold and bright, neutral, or dark and moody, we've laid out tons of designer-approved living room paint color ideas to help you get inspired. All you have to do is put on your overalls and grab a roller—or, you know, hire someone else to do the dirty work. The hardest part will be deciding between all of these living room colors. But once you do, you can start shopping for the decor.

🏡You love finding new design tricks. So do we. Let us share the best of them.

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1

Gray-Purple

Seth Smoot

In a Cape Cod-style home for a couple of empty nesters, designer Lauren Nelson painted the living room walls in Farrow & Ball's Dove Tale—a warm gray with purple undertones. It keeps the atmosphere neutral yet inviting.

2

Pearl

A soft white paint with a slight gray tone to it can easily make your living room a spot you want to spend all day in. Take it from designer Sharon Rembaum, who dressed this living room with textured pieces in a neutral color palette to boost its overall coziness.

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3

Cerulean Blue

TREVOR PARKER

Designer Garrow Kedigan made use of Lakeside Cabin by Benjamin Moore on the walls of this cozy corner. The faded cerulean blue acts as a soft backdrop to the rich orange and gold decor and dark gray sofa.

4

Cloudy Green

Sean Litchfield

Reminiscent of the outdoors and luxurious spas, sage green can instantly make your living room feel welcoming. In this speakeasy-inspired room by Brooklinteriors, Art Deco, Eastern World, and bohemian elements are blended together on a background of Clare's Dirty Martini paint for an opulent but casual atmosphere.

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5

Sunny Yellow

Alyssa Rosenheck

Sunny yellow walls can instantly brighten up your living room— no matter if you have big windows or small openings for natural light. In this room designed by Taylor Anne Interiors, Farrow & Ball's Citron adds energy to the tropical-yet-modern space.

6

Ebony

Haris Kenjar

Set a moody yet cozy scene by painting your walls and ceiling in a soft shade of ebony. For designer Sean Anderson's client, comfort and function in the living room were crucial for entertaining. He painted the room in Iron Ore by Sherwin-Williams and layered items that told the homeowner's story to enhance the welcoming atmosphere.

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7

Red Clay

Mali Azima

Designed by Melanie Turner, this living room's walls are painted in Windswept Canyon by Sherwin-Williams. The assortment of furniture styles is united by a common colorway that pairs nicely with the paint.

8

Frost Blue

LAUREY GLENN

Frost blue walls—in Benjamin Moore's Philipsburg Blue, to be exact—offer the right amount of softness in this formal dining room designed by Jenny Wolf. Gold framed art and a textured rug add warmth near the fireplace.

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9

Teal

2022 TREVOR PARKER PHOTOGRAPHY

"It’s a vibrant happy blue while not being too overwhelming, says designer Rudy Saunders of the color on the walls of his Upper East Side studio apartment. It's Fine Paints of Europe Jefferson Blue from the Dorothy Draper paint collection.

10

Sangria

Bjorn Wallander

Designer Krsnaa Mehta aimed for a salon feel in the heart of his India home. The sangria-and-blue palette of the living room achieves that inviting look that's best suited for entertaining.

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11

Cream

Lisa Romerein

This sunny living room designed by Thomas Callaway exudes warmth, despite the grand size and ceiling height. Callaway broke the room into zones to enhance intimacy and then used soft buttery glaze on the walls to give the room a golden glow, and layered rich yet mellow fabrics.

12

Dark Blue-Green

Jared Kuzia Photography

Designer Cecilia Casagrande chose rich jewel tones for this Boston Colonial living room. It's classic yet fresh. The paint color—Farrow & Ball Hague Blue—in particular, straddles that duality of modern and traditional styles, perfect for a historic home. Casagrande also mixed contemporary elements with more traditional ones to further play with that juxtaposition between old and new.

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13

Dusty Rose

Thijs de Leeuw/Space Content/Living Inside

Atelier ND and homeowner Carice Van Houten used a variety of plant species to liven up the room and create visual intrigue with different heights and shapes. It really freshens up the bold pastels and rich earthy tones for a unique composition. Pro tip: Don't forget to paint the ceiling for a more immersive impression.

14

Buttercream

Anna Spiro Design

Instead of painting the walls blue, designer Anna Spiro covered the hardwood floors in a cheerful blue color. She also made the windows extra sunny by painting the frames buttercream yellow.

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15

Pitch Black

Brie Williams

Dark black walls and lots of warm gold and caramel tones make this living room designed by Ariene Bethea super cozy but also formal and regal—the ideal balance if your living room doubles as the family room. She used Tricorn Black by Sherwin-Williams.

16

Peach

Kendall McCaugherty

The open floor plan in this Chicago family apartment designed by Bruce Fox called for cohesion between the dining and living room areas. That soft peachy paint and deep pink sofa are reflected in the printed armchair at the head of the dining table, and also mimic the rosy glow of the pendant light. The color scheme was inspired by a photograph taken of the family in London during spring when the city was veiled in cherry blossoms.

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17

Clay

Read McKendree

Dark gray walls can be a bit brooding, like storm clouds, but in the case of this sunny Manhattan apartment by Elizabeth Cooper, they look playful and contemporary. Cheerful pinks, a dash of cobalt blue, traditional granny-chic patterns, and whimsical artwork lighten the mood.

18

Off-White

Nicole Franzen

While bright colors can help liven up a room, it's not the only route. Take this neutral-toned living room by Kristin Fine: Soft and texture-rich upholstery mix with off-white paint, rustic wood pieces, and plenty of antique accents to make a surprisingly modern impression with lots of character.

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19

Olive

Robert McKinley

Robert McKinley wanted to keep the color scheme in this country retreat earthy and neutral but also wanted to inject it with a little warmth. He opted for a quietly sophisticated shade of olive green for the walls while the chose a cream color for the wood-paneled ceiling.

20

Steel Gray

Chris Mottalini

This New York City living room designed by Nanette Brown is a lesson in dark paint decorating that strikes the balance between formal and casual, sophisticated and easy-going, elevated and cozy. The exact color pictured is Amethyst Shadow from Benjamin Moore.

110 photos of beautiful and cozy design ideas in light colors

Light notes in the design of the apartment bring freshness and elegance to it. They are well combined in various colors.

Light walls in the interior of white, beige, gray shades are perfectly combined with furniture of different styles, juicy textiles, various decor.

Advantages of choosing

This type of decoration is ideal for small spaces. Light walls in the apartment can visually expand it. Although this approach looks great in large houses.

When outside the window all the “beauty” consists of the dull gray walls of the neighboring house, the situation will be saved by the interior in light colors. It is desirable to buy furniture with a glossy surface.

Cheerful décor can also help. Then it will always be clear in the apartment, regardless of the weather.

Walls, floors, ceilings

Light walls with the same floor and ceiling can change your life dramatically. Psychologists say that our mood largely depends on the environment.

Gloomy tones are depressing. So you need to do everything exactly the opposite.

So that monotony does not "set the teeth on edge", bright spots are added in the form of curtains, pillows and other textile elements.

White color in the interior

Shades of white and beige are perfectly combined with natural materials, natural furniture. This is a special touch of Provence style.

Photos of light walls in the interior confirm this. It is pleasant to be in such a room, the atmosphere has a calming effect.

Today, light wall design takes the leading position among the equally popular stylish turquoise, juicy red tone. And yet most often preference is given to practical elegance.

Why is white in trend?

In the modern world, always fashionable snow-white classics are especially relevant. And no wonder, because white has a rich tint spectrum.

Some nuances:

Coffee with milk

Do not be afraid of the light colors of the walls. Their palette is so diverse that everyone can choose their own option.

Coffee with milk is richer and not at all boring, as is commonly believed. It fits perfectly into the classic style and is just perfect for conservatives.

Sand

Absolutely any room can be decorated in sand colors. The color goes well with intense and neutral shades.

By the way, in minimalism, the coldness of white is often replaced with this particular tone. Want to add more sophistication? Add gold or silver.

Majestic Gray

The room looks chic in shades of gray. It is important here to be able to correctly combine shades or add blotches of white, black, beige, yellow.

By the way, light wallpapers for walls can be selected based on the same principle. You should not be afraid that everything will “float” and become depersonalized. Indeed, in these cases, bright decor elements will come to the rescue.

Experts advise

To succeed in the ability to combine light notes in decoration, you need to know some points. Let's take a living room as an example:

By the way, shades of beige with the addition of gold are no less beautiful in the bedroom. With their help, you can give the room tenderness, grace. Relaxation in the room will be provided, and this is very important if you want to fully relax.

Mother-of-pearl

Mother-of-pearl colors look noble. The room is filled with freshness and elegant coldness. Best combined with mint or sea waves.

If the room has large windows, then it will seem larger, taller. To emphasize sophistication, a crystal chandelier should hang from the ceiling, and the decor must be dark or bright.

To summarize

Light colors in the interior are the choice of people who want to make their “nest” cozy and comfortable. In the house they always have a benevolent atmosphere. In addition, there is a "field" for imagination.

The best paint colors for walls and ceilings according to a professional.
The world's best-selling interior and exterior colors.
The best shades of grey: from almost white to almost black.
How does color change under different lighting conditions?

When choosing a paint color for the interior or exterior of your home, it's a good practice to familiarize yourself with the palettes of the most popular and best-selling colors. Such palettes are formed on the basis of the choice of both professional designers and owners of apartments and houses, and help not to drown in the ocean of thousands of available shades of paint and varnish products. This can often be a great starting point when looking for the perfect color.

Below is a palette of the 50 most popular and best-selling paints of the famous Sherwin-Williams company. Of these, we select 12 of the most versatile and reliable gray and analyze them in more detail. There will be descriptions and tips for using a particular color, with explanations of why this color is more appropriate in certain places and conditions. The “pluses” and “minuses” of the selected colors will also be taken into account.

In this article, we rely on the great experience of US designer Cindy Alred.
Give her the floor:

Repose Gray

The number one color in the world in all paint companies. Of course, this cannot be said with absolute certainty, but I would be very surprised if I knew that this was not so. Repose Gray is a fantastic warm light gray that I highly recommend to my clients because it is perfection when it comes to painting all the walls in the house with neutral light tones.

Pros : Versatility. This gray is especially good because it not only looks beautiful during the day in natural light, but is also one of those rare colors that look great in the dark under artificial light. When changing the color temperature of the lighting, unpleasant shades do not appear.

Cons : In rooms with plenty of natural light, Repose can produce a very faint bluish-gray cast.

By the way, all the colors on the Repose Gray fan card (card 244) hit the bestseller list, which is not surprising, because this set is just great. These are stunning and versatile colors and you will see some of them below.

Sea Salt

This color is almost as popular as the previous one. The vast majority in the poll named it as their favorite Sherwin-Williams color. You can safely go for it if you are looking for a soothing and serene spa color.

Pros : Calm and serenity. When properly lit, Sea Salt is one of the most beautiful shades of blue-green-gray.

Cons : Has a chameleon effect and can be finicky in certain lighting conditions (usually areas with lots of natural light). It is very important to do a test run first. This color looks best in rooms with little or no natural light (bathrooms, bedrooms, etc.).

Worldly Gray

This is another trustworthy warm light gray that is very close to Repose Grey, but slightly warmer and darker. I often recommend it to clients instead of Repose Gray as the overall color for the whole interior if there is a lot of natural light in the room, as the former can look too white in such conditions.

Pros: In rooms with lots of natural light, Worldly Gray is ideal and versatile.

Cons : This color will appear darker in places with little natural light, and may look a bit heavier than a traditional warm light grey.

Crushed Ice

I first met Crushed Ice recently when I was redecorating my living room. I chose it as a replacement for Repose Gray (our number one), which looked a bit lighter than I'd like in this space. And in the end, I just fell in love with him, so I can confidently recommend you to try this color. It's a little lighter, a little cooler, and has a little more pigment than Repose Grey.

Pros : Crushed Ice is a stunning warm light gray that sits between a light (with barely visible color) and a medium tone. A rare gem in the range of intermediate neutrals.

Cons : Crushed Ice looks better in areas with moderate natural light. Not the best choice for rooms without windows.

Dorian Gray

This is another fantastic neutral warm gray in the midtone range. I used it on my client's range hood and it looks beautiful. Dorian Gray also works great as a neutral color for furniture.

Pros : Found on the same color fan card (244) as Repose Grey, but only two shades darker. A very versatile color for walls and cabinets.

Cons: Too much natural light can cause Dorian Gray to become colder and no longer look like a warm grey.

Dovetail

If you're looking for something darker than a neutral mid-tone warm gray, then Dovetail is a great choice. It is well suited for interior doors and cabinets. It is unlikely to be suitable for painting all the walls in the room, but the accent wall of this color will look beautiful.

Pros : Dovetail is a win-win option when you want to add contrast to a room but don't want to use very dark tones so as not to lose the overall lightness.

Cons : Dovetail may take on a warmer tone in artificially lit rooms. Although it doesn't hurt him too much, he remains handsome. Drift of Mist It's a very subtle color that I consider to be an almost perfect neutral.

Pros : Drift of Mist is one of those rare colors that solves the problem when neither white nor more saturated colors are suitable.

Cons : There is a very slight hint of muted yellow (very faint). This is what distinguishes it from white, softening to neutral. And, although I do not like the presence of yellow, but this color I could use at home.

Peppercorn

No wonder Peppercorn by Sherwin-Williams made it to the bestseller list because the color is unheard of good! This overcast dark gray has tremendous depth and is perfect for an accent wall, closets, and some very small spaces.

Pros: Peppercorn is one of the most trusted dark grays. It always looks good on walls, cabinets and interior accents.

Cons : No problems come to mind with this color. He always looks great.

Iron Ore

The next example is a beautiful very dark gray with a brown tint that has become a popular choice for finishing interior doors, cabinets and facade elements. Truly an amazing color!

Pros : Iron Ore is a stunning deep and heavy color. It adds instant contrast to a space if used sparingly.

Cons : When using this color for finishing exterior elements, be careful to make sure that it blends harmoniously with the overall color of the facade, even if it is almost white. Indoors, this is less true, but the bright sunlight outside brings out the Iron Ore tones strongly.

Black Fox

Another fantastic dark color on the bestseller list that is very similar to the previous one is Black Fox. But while Iron Ore tends to be dark gray, Black Fox is more of a very dark brown.

Pros : Very rich dark, perfect accent color for walls, interiors and facades. Very versatile.

Cons of : In windowless rooms with artificial light, Black Fox can have a rather warm undertone, but still be beautiful.

Tricorn Black

Of the black colors I most often prefer Tricorn black in my projects. First of all, because it really looks like black. And small brown-gray undertones save him from excessive roughness and harshness.

Pros : This is a very versatile and reliable color for both interiors and exteriors. If you are looking for the best black color, you can go for it, because it is really beautiful.

Cons : I've never had a problem with this color. He won't let you down. The taupe shade complements almost any color when used as an exterior finish or accent color.

Mindful

I have been using Mindful Gray for many years both on client projects and for myself. I think Mindful Gray is one of the prettiest and safest warm grays and is great especially for furniture.

Pros : Extremely versatile warm gray that looks best in cabinets and other furniture and fronts. It's a little heavy to get a warm gray on the walls, but it's fine if you're looking for a warmer, mid-tone gray.

Cons : In rooms with plenty of natural light, Mindful Gray can look cold, but still not lose its splendor. However, if you want a warm gray that stays warm even in these lighting conditions, then Mindful Gray is not the best solution here.

Most of the Sherwin Williams colors featured on this list are simply gorgeous. I haven't worked with many yellow/beige tones so I didn't rate them in this review.

And one more thing. Before using any of the colors I've given excellent marks to, be sure to test them in the room and lighting they're intended for. Lighting can change color drastically and I wish you weren't disappointed!

For information on how light changes color, see article Warm and cold interior lighting.

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