How To Pick Neutral Paint Colors

Neutrals are sophisticated colors that are a mix of many hues. There’s a scientific reason we like neutral colors. Nature has given us the color wheel which is perfectly balanced. Neutrals are composed of many colors from the wheel, so they are inherently balanced. Neutrals give us a sense of peace and completion, because they are complete in and of themselves. They don’t need any other colors to balance them out.  

Finding the “right” neutral is a misleading pursuit. The truth is, a neutral can never be wrong! 

Finding the best neutral for your space will depend on what other colors are present. The most appealing choice will connect with existing colors to build on the sense of completion that neutrals naturally impart. 

For instance, if you have a natural wood floor with a lot of yellow, look for a neutral with yellow undertones. (Not sure how to spot an undertone? Read Demystifying Undertones. 

I recommend Benjamin Moore paint colors because they are “full spectrum” paints. This means they never mix white or black into their paint, which can make paint colors look washed out or dirty. The result of mixing only pure colors is a richer, more sophisticated neutral.