What are the most popular sherwin williams neutral colors

Why all the fuss?

About 90% of the time that I am contacted by a client through an online Color Consultation, they are looking for a neutral color to use in the majority of their home. There is typically a reason that they are repainting if it is an existing home (not a new build). Let me explain…

Design Trends Overview

In the early 2000’s, the “Tuscan” trend was all the rage. Browns, golds and warmer neutrals were the interior look of the moment. Design trends tend to cycle through about every decade. The decade turned, and the new trend became what we call the “Gray” trend. Everything went cooler, more fresh and crisp.

Trying to Transition

Here is where the conflict arises when I receive feedback from my clients. They are either living in or buying a home that is still decorated and painted during the Tuscan era. They want to update the look of their home, but the problem is the expense involved in a complete overhaul of the current selections (countertops, floors, etc.).

Since most of my clients are working with what they have or making adjustments gradually, my goal is to help them transition from the Tuscan look to more of a gray. Most people don’t necessarily want to go totally gray, so here is where my top neutral paint colors come in.

I know you’ve been dying to know my top 5!! The truth is that there are so many great neutral paint colors that it is hard to choose just 5. Below are my top 5 most specified go-to neutral paint colors.

Be sure to click on the links for the colors to see my color scheme picks for each. Feel free to leave a comment with your top 5 neutral paint colors!

Balanced Beige

Balanced Beige, oh how I love this color. It is by far my most specified color for clients. The reason is really laid out in my description above. It is a perfect transition color.

Balanced Beige is not to golden, not too gray. It is a greige that has a taupe undertone that tends to go well with floor tiles and countertops that still have the Tuscan brown tones in it. Basically, it goes more gray without totally clashing with the current selections that are still beige.

I love this color so much that I did an entire post and color review on it last year. You can view it HERE.

Accessible Beige

One shade lighter than Balanced Beige, is Accessible Beige. I specify this color if my clients want a softer look and have a space with not very much natural light.

Just like Balanced Beige, Accessible Beige is a greige that has taupe undertones and is a favorite in spaces that are in need of an update. Accessible Beige looks beautiful next to darker furniture pieces (like dark taupe sofas) and is a perfect color for the soft look of the “farmhouse style”.

I also like to pair Accessible Beige with accent colors like Smoky Blue for a bit of contrast.

For some Accessible Beige inspiration check out my Accessible Beige Mood Board. I have handpicked each selection based on what I believe will work nicely with Accessible Beige in every space. All products are affiliate links. Enjoy!

Agreeable Gray

My second fav, is most definitely Agreeable Gray. This is also a top contender for my most specified color. I typically suggest this color to clients that want to go a bit more gray and have selections that have less brown/beige undertones.

Agreeable Gray is a bit cooler than Balanced Beige while still being on the warm neutral spectrum. As shown in the picture below, where I specified Agreeable Gray fro a client who was renovating her kitchen.

As you can see Agreeable Gray looks gorgeous and is a perfect match with blue-grays and blue-green color combinations. The kitchen island below is Cityscape, which I recommend to pair with neutrals like Agreeable Gray.

For some Agreeable Gray inspiration check out my Agreeable Gray Mood Board below. I have handpicked each selection based on what I believe will work nicely with Agreeable Gray in every space. All products are affiliate links. Enjoy!

Anew Gray

Anew Gray is a beautiful color. I tend to choose Anew Gray when spaces can handle some depth of color with more natural light and higher ceilings. It has warmth, but like it’s lighter shade, Agreeable Gray, is a good transition from golden beige towards a cooler gray/greige color.

I love Anew Gray in the master bedroom pictured below. It’s perfect with the white trim for some contrast, along with the dreamy white duvet for the bedding.

Repose Gray

I specify Repose Gray in spaces that have warmer selections (like honey-oak cabinets and/or floors) that clients want to keep, but tone down and update. The undertone in Repose Gray appears as a gray-blue and tones down the yellow-golden color in honey oak selections.

Repose Gray is fresh and crisp and gives spaces a clean and updated feel. Since it has a slight blue undertone and is cooler, I avoid specifying this color if my clients aren’t a fan of blue.

This home pictured below is one of my favorite spaces I’ve seen painted in Repose Gray. It creates a soft and sophisticated feel and works perfectly with the white cabinetry and the monochromatic furnishings.

Decision Time

So, if you are in the same boat as most of my clients that are trying to update their traditional tan or beige home to a fresher updated feel, consider some of these top paint color options. I always recommend testing a large painted sample first to see how it looks in your space.

If making the final decision is still an issue and you need a professional opinion, please reach out to hire me for an Interior Color Consultation. It is what I have a passion for and it is truly worth it to get it right the first time.

There are so many factors when finding the right color and coordinating undertones with your current selections can be tough. Hiring a painter is not cheap and you definitely don’t want to have to pay them twice to repaint a color mistake!

I would love to hear from you if you have any of these colors in your home or if you are looking for help transitioning your home with one of my top 5 SW neutrals. So comment below, follow me on social media or visit my shop and get started with a consultation today!

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