15 Timeless Paint Colors That Will Never Go Out Of Style, According To Designers

Out of all the design choices you have to make in a room—where to place your sofa, which rug to choose, and how to deal with those awkward nooks and crannies, for starters—selecting the right paint color is arguably the most difficult decision. It doesn't matter if you choose a crisp white, moody dark hue, or a vibrant pop of color, any shade has the power to transform your room's overall feel.

And, of course, there's always the worry that you'll tire of whichever shade you ultimately choose whether it's on the walls, trim, or your kitchen cabinets. Don't worry, help is on the way. We asked a handful of designers to share their favorite classic paint colors. Regardless of which shades pique your interest, the hues below have some serious staying power.

Creamy White

Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace, OC-65

Finding the perfect white that doesn't skew too yellow can be hard. "Whites can be tricky!" says Kara Miller, owner of Kara Miller Interiors in Jupiter, Florida. She leans towards Chantilly Lace because it's not too cool or too warm for a clean look. "It allows the main part of the home to breathe and gives you the opportunity to transition into more colorful secondary spaces, or those with wallcoverings," she says.

Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee, OC-45

From new builds to old bones, this airy, natural white is just right. Here, South Carolina interior designer Caroline Brackett swathed her 19th-century farmhouse entry with Swiss Coffee.

"It is a warm, classic paint color that I love using in many projects," adds Anna Franklin, designer and founder of Stone House Collective. "Since it is an off-white, it goes with everything and provides a beautiful neutral palette to highlight the other textures and pops of color within a design. Its versatility makes it the perfect base color for a space that won't ever go out of style and will allow you to easily switch up the design elements within a space for years to come without having to seek a new paint color."

Sherwin-Williams Snowbound, SW 7004

The shade was Nashville designer Sarah Bartholomew's go-to in the 2021 Southern Living Idea House. "I like a warm white paint that has a good balance between gray and yellow undertones. I imagine having a bright white and then rubbing a little bit of dirt in it—that's my perfect shade," she says.

"This is my all-time favorite white and it works perfectly in all spaces, indoors and outdoors," adds interior designer Amhad Freeman. "It has a softness to it and works well in the natural light as well as artificial light. It transitions from day to night flawlessly and also works well in all paint finishes."

Benjamin Moore Decorator's White, CC-20

"It's the perfect white that isn't too warm or cool and is a great backdrop for any style of furnishing," shares Jessica Davis, owner of Atelier Davis. "I used it throughout my house because I really wanted the architecture and furnishings to stand out against the white walls." If you're looking to brighten up a space without out it feeling stark, use this shade.

Subtle Blue

Farrow & Ball Green Blue, No. 84

This muted blue-green shade is the perfect balance between calming and lively. In her 1920s Nashville Tudor, designer Catherine Branstetter used it to spruce up her downstairs powder room. The neutral color also pairs great with darker tones which makes it is a great compliment to brown furniture and antiques.

Sherwin-Williams Portsmouth, SW 9644

A little gray, a little blue—this nature-inspired, dusty shade will stand the test of time in hardworking and primary spaces alike. Designer Laura Hodges, who used the hue in the 2023 Idea House laundry room, says it reminds her of "the sky at dusk."

Benjamin Moore Constellation, AF-540

From porch ceilings to powder rooms, this baby blue will always be a favorite. "That little peep of a happy, soft blue begs you to linger longer on those warm summer nights," says Lauren Lowe. This soft shade evokes the tranquil feel of a blue sky without a cloud in the sky.

Nature-Inspired Green

Farrow & Ball Card Room Green, No. 79

Bring the outdoors in with natural hues that are equally refreshing and stimulating like Card Room Green which feels right at home in this 1923 Atlanta home. "It had wood paneling when we bought it and was almost screaming at me to go moody," says the homeowner, who fondly refers to the study-like space as the 'Green Room'. Woodland-inspired hues like this evoke a balanced between the interior and exterior of a home.

Sherwin-Williams Meander, SW 9522

“I tend not to go with super bright colors because they can be harder to live with long term," says designer Laura Hodges. "I love more subtle, nuanced colors like this one.” While we love the just-right greige, this one might be a favorite for its muted, timeless feel.

Dark Grays

Sherwin-Williams Morris Room Grey, SW 0037

"One of our go-to colors is Morris Room Grey by Sherwin Williams," designer Jean Liu shares. "We joke that grey is the new beige, and with such warm hues as found in Sherwin Williams' Morris Room Grey, we can't help but keep coming back to it over and over again."

Sherwin-Williams Iron Ore, SW 7069

"A timeless paint color that will never go out of style is Sherwin-Williams' Iron Ore," shares Lauren Harmon, interior designer at JL Design. "This selection might shock some, but it really is a neutral color that we use quite frequently. We love to see it applied on walls, trim, doors, cabinets—you name it! It's dark without being black. Its versatility allows it to coordinate with both warm and cool schemes."

Classic Navy

Benjamin Moore Hale Navy, HC-15

"This is a great dark navy blue," shares Kim Armstrong. "I love to use it as a punch of color on cabinets to make a bold statement." Designer Andi Morse, of Morse Design in Atlanta, Georgia echos the traditional color choice. “I think black and a dark navy are never going away and remain timeless over the years," she says.

Farrow & Ball Inchyra Blue, No. 289

“I like having the punch of dark color in there against a lot of the house that’s lighter," says Nashville designer Catherine Branstetter, who used it in her 1920s home's dining room. The rich tone creates contrast in light-filled spaces while adding warmth and character.

Soft Pink

Farrow & Ball Setting Plaster, No. 231

"This soft pink has a whole lot of depth, creating a beautiful balance between the paint and (lack of) light," says Maggie Bratton Dillon of Maggie Dillon Interiors in Raleigh, North Carolina. This light-evoking hue feels perfectly at home in farmhouses and modern homes alike.

Benjamin Moore Sheer Pink, 894

Southerners are not afraid to use light pinks as the new neutral to add a little extra warmth to a home. "Stick with pinks that are not clearly pink, such as a soft coral or conch shell pink, a dusty pink, or a rose pink," cautions Palm Beach, Florida, designer Ellen Kavanaugh, who also recommends pairing it with a chocolate brown.