Every woman has an LBD in her closet—the infinitely wearable little black dress she chooses time again, one which is just as appropriate at a conference or a party. And every interior designer has a go-to paint color they rely on when they want to give a home interior eternal flexibility.
Our Editorial Director, Joanna Saltz, asked experts, designers, and our own House Beautiful editors to share their go-to shades. Try them on for size and decide which one makes your home look elegant and approachable at the same time. Or pick a color for every room—with these designer-approved, tried-and-true winners, you can't go wrong.
"Grayish by Clare works nicely with both warm and cool tones, adding color without being the focal point of the room." —Zoe Feldman @zoefeldmandesign
"I used Babouche by Farrow & Ball on my wooden cabinets at home in the kitchen. It is so versatile and never disappointing." —Kit Kemp @kitkempdesignthread
"My favorite paint, Dark Olive by Benjamin Moore, adds depth and sophistication. As an accent wall, it brings a rich, earthy tone that complements a variety of design styles." —Jasmine Crockett @joymeetshome
"I've been a longtime fan of Portola Paints, and Gem is a classic neutral that brightens up any room." —Jenni Kayne @jennikayne
"Cambridge Riverbed by Benjamin Moore is a beautiful, brownish green that can act as a neutral and blends well with many styles." —Molly Kidd @lightanddwell
"Benjamin Moore's Distant Gray is elegant and inviting in both natural and artificial light. This color generates purity, balance, and harmony, and plays the ultimate backdrop for any aesthetic.' —Barette Widell @widellboschetti
"Obsidian Green by Little Greene presents as black with a surprise of green depending on how the light hits it. I use it as a statement color on kitchen cabinets, in entryways, and for powder rooms." —Everick Brown @everickbrowndesign
"Harvest Moon by Backdrop has a touch of yellow in it to warm up your space, as if the light from a sunset is hitting your walls." —Marina Liao @marinaa2214
"A pale blush, like Frolic by Behr, is the most versatile paint color around! I use it frequently as an alternative to white when I want to add a soft or gentle feel to a space rather than the starkness of a bright white. It has just a hint of pink, so it can be a perfect neutral backdrop for artwork or decor." —Emily June Spanos @emilyjunedesigns
"Bewitching Blue by Sherwin-Williams maintains an airy ambiance while injecting just the right amount of vibrancy, making it suitable for everything from playful kids’ rooms to elegant powder rooms." —Rayman Boozer @apartment48
"A base of deeper tones can infuse a sense of drama into even the most understated spaces. Farrow & Ball's Hague Blue transcends boundaries, enhancing virtually any room it graces— be it an office, a dining area, or elsewhere." —Jaqui Seerman @jaquiseerman
