The most popular interior colours are still soft whites, warm neutrals and gentle greys, because they suit almost every room and almost every style. Trends come and go, but a neutral base with a few well-chosen accents is the safest way to get a look you’ll still like in years.
Why neutrals keep winning
Neutrals reflect light, make rooms feel larger and work with whatever furniture you own. They’re also easy to update, because you can change the mood with soft furnishings and artwork rather than repainting. That’s why most homes, offices and rental properties use them.
The main families
- Warm whites and creams give a soft, welcoming feel and suit north-facing rooms.
- Cool whites and pale greys feel crisp and modern, and they suit bright, sunny spaces.
- Greige and warm greys sit between the two and are popular in living areas.
- Soft greens and blues add calm to bedrooms and bathrooms without being heavy.
How light changes colour
A colour on a small card looks different on a wall. Natural light shifts through the day, and artificial light changes it again. A colour that looks fresh in a sunny room can look cold in a shaded one. Test a sample on the wall and check it morning and evening before you commit.
Working with what’s already there
Floors, benchtops, curtains and furniture all affect how a colour reads. Check the undertone of the colour against fixed items such as tiles and timber so they don’t clash. If you’re stuck, our colour consultation service can help narrow the field.
Sheen changes the look
The same colour looks different in flat, satin and semi-gloss. Flat finishes hide imperfections and suit ceilings and low-traffic rooms. Satin and semi-gloss are easier to clean and suit hallways, kitchens and trims. Our guide to what makes a quality paint explains what else to check.
For workplaces
Office colours have to work for the whole team and for clients, and they should hold up between refits. Our guide to choosing interior office colours covers that, and our article on the best colour for a commercial building covers exteriors.
Choose something you’ll still like
A colour you love in ten years beats one that’s fashionable this year. See our interior house painting service or request a quote.
McAuliffe Painting. Eagle Farm, Brisbane QLD 4009. QBCC Lic 15183972.
