21 Best Neutral Paint Colors – Pro Designer Choices for 2021

Creating a happy, cozy house is easy when you pick the best neutral paint colors. I have struggled finding great neutral paint choices on my own, especially if there is a hint of brown or beige in the tile or flooring! I took to the experts to find their top choices for best neutral paint colors for 2021.

#1 Top Designer Pick: Accessible Beige – Sherwin Williams

Wow! This is an amazing paint color for so many reasons. Highly versatile, this shade works great in large rooms, small rooms and as a secondary shade. There is almost nothing this paint cannot do. It pulls both gray and beige, and this double duty work makes it a top neutral paint color choice. I have personally used it to solve a challenging color matching issue with some white and tan/brown tile. I have never loved a room more!

#2 Top Pick: Agreeable Gray – Sherwin Williams

Another top pick is this other workhorse of a paint color. Again, this paint choice is highly versatile and creates a beautiful choice for any room and combination of colors. While it appears more gray, in natural light this shade is truly a unique neutral and does great with high ceilings, crisp white tones and any decor. It is also in the top 2 for paint colors for Sherwin Williams.

#3 Best Neutral Paint Color: Timeless – Clare

A top pick from Elle Decor, this shade comes from popular paint brand Clare. A true neutral at heart, Timeless will provide an ivory white or just off-white color for the discerning decorator. Paired with classic colors, Timeless is just that: a classic choice you’ll love for years to come.

#4 Revere Pewter – Benjamin Moore

This paint color is recommended by designer Patrick Baglino on the housebeautiful.com website. “The warmth of this gray comes from the addition of a splash of beige…”. It can sometimes be compared to Agreeable Gray, see more on the Pinterest link below.

#5 Silver Strand – Sherwin Williams (Joanna Gaines Favorite!)

Featured heavily on the TV Show “Fixer Upper”, one of Joanna Gaines go to paint colors is Sherwin Williams’ Silver Strand. The undertones of gray and green make this paint color very unique, but beautiful for walls with lots of natural light.

#6 Alabaster – Sherwin Williams

Another Joanna Gaines favorite is Alabaster from Sherwin Williams. She has featured this on walls and trim. Combine this with a colored neutral for an extra wow factor.

#7 Wind’s Breath – Benjamin Moore

Looking for a great off-white paint choice? Look no further than Wind’s Breath by Benjamin Moore. Perfect for a calming room like a library or for trim when you want something clean but not perfectly white. Wind’s Breath is the choice for those looking to create a clean look but do not want the sterile effect of a strict white.

#8 Blue Neutral Paint Color Choice: Pale Powder – Farrow & Ball

Adding some color with your neutrals is easy with this beautiful choice from Farrow & Ball. It can be difficult to find the right shades and tones for a blue neutral, but Farrow & Ball nailed this truly creative, and beautiful, color. While this may not be a highly universal choice, this is a great color for any room that wants an updated feeling and can take some beautiful tones.

#9 Mindful Gray – Sherwin Williams

This gray is slightly darker than some shades. When combined with a crisp trim color, like white or another neutral shade, can really make a room stand out. Decorating is easy around this beautiful shade of gray, allowing for lots of color choices in your accessories, furniture and decor.

#10 Campfire Ash – Behr

We have not featured a Behr paint yet, but are excited to feature this shade. If you want a more white, white tone for your trim try this color. The tones of this Behr paint color really make a crisp white color stand out in a good way.

#11 Gray Neutral Paint Color Choice: Amazing Gray – Sherwin Williams

Expanding off a builder’s beige? Look no further than Amazing Gray by Sherwin Williams. This is one of the best neutral paint colors for a reason. A timeless color that will work well in any room for years to come.

#12 Simply White – Benjamin Moore

With a slight hint of color, Simply White is an excellent pick for a smaller room that needs some light and character. Pairing decoration items or furniture becomes much easier with this classic neutral paint color. Here are a few comparisons to Simply white to see the distinct difference it can provide.

#13 Sea Salt – Benjamin Moore

For those looking for a neutral with some color, Benjamin Moore has great choices. One of my favorites is Sea Salt with a hint of green and blue undertones. This paint color is fantastic when paired with a crisp white trim or a rich brown furniture color palette to give a more Victorian feel.

#14 Linen – Restoration Hardware

Restoration Hardware has some great paint choices, but this one can be hard to find. Linen is a popular color in most paint brands, but be aware some may pull more beige on a wall with lots of natural light or odd shadows. This particular color is a favorite for its tone and ability to adapt to the surroundings.

#15 Silky White – Behr

Our second Behr paint color is another classic choice. If you have little to no trim in a room, or are looking for a great secondary color on shiplap or a chair rail, then Silky White is an excellent choice to pair.

#16 Grey Owl – Benjamin Moore

Grey Owl is a beautiful gray tone paint shade, making it a prime, best neutral paint colors pick for 2021. Sometimes people compare it to Benjamin more favorite Stonington Gray, which is a deeper shade of gray. Choose which is right for the light and size of your room.

#17 Best Neutral Paint Colors: Sterling – Benjamin Moore

Another great choice from Elle Decor is Sterling by Benjamin Moore. This is a fantastic gray color with cool undertones. Think the seaside or light shining off the sea at night with the green and blue coolness. Try this in a more modern room or a traditional room that wants some updated flare.

#18 Windy City – Clare

Clare does it again with their neutral Windy City paint. As their site declares “Windy City is a clean, sophisticated neutral that will make your space feel airy and calm. Easy and breezy.”

#19 Iron Mountain – Benjamin Moore

This deep, rich dark gray color provides no shortage of interest in a room. The depth of tones and strength it brings to a room is unique. Iron Mountain is truly deserving of the name and is best suited for a room that needs a strong anchor for paint. Create a unique space with decor to match and clean trim to make the paint color truly stick out without being overbearing.

#20 Dirty Chai – Clare

Our last pick by Clare is a unique brown shade. Even in a small space like a bathroom, this brown stands out without overshadowing other design elements. Perfect as an accent wall or in a room where matching colors may be a challenge.

#21 London Fog – Benjamin Moore

I know we have a lot of Benjamin Moore choices on here, but for good reason. Rounding out our list is a highly adaptable choice with some beautiful undertones that also give this grey color a great look and feel in any room. A kitchen would be a great choice for this amazing gray shade.

Shades for Best Neutral Paint Color Choices

Choose a great family of shades for your paint project. By staying in a color family, it is easier to create a beautiful look without overwhelming. A beautiful shade of colors provides options for your trim and wall colors, even accent wallpaper.

Sage and neutral greens
Blue gray
Stone white or gray
Cream bases
“Pasta tones”

Best Neutral Paint Colors 2021, Designer Picks

I hope this helps with your design choices and painting color options. If you need help, many stores offer design services and color matching to get the perfect shade. Many stores will match a color, even if the brand is not the original paint color. For samples, try Samplize for your paint sample needs. They use a peel & stick paint sample, which makes trying new shades a breeze. Happy painting!