The first step to getting that signature “Fixer Upper” look starts with choosing the perfect farmhouse neutral paint color.
So, when I found out through the reader survey that many of you have problems choosing paint colors, I knew this post was going to be perfect.
Choosing paint colors can be such a fun experience. I new, fresh coat of paint does wonders to transform any space. It’s actually probably the most budget-friendly way to update any room.
But, the actual process of choosing paint colors can be quite daunting. With so many (and I mean SO MANY) different colors available, how can you ever choose the perfect one?
I LOVE the soft neutrals of farmhouse style paint. Especially the latest trend of “greige” (combination of gray and beige). And, who knows how to choose the perfect neutral paint better than Joanna Gaines.
Source: Magnolia Homes
I absolutely love the color she used in this bedroom. It’s such a soft shade of cream. Plus, then you can get away with having dark furniture when it’s paired next to such a light color.
Source: Magnolia Homes
I have to admit, I’m not a huge fan of green in general. But, this darker shade of green compliments the natural wood accents she has in this room.
Source: Magnolia Homes
Is it gray? Is it blue? Looks like a combination to me. Either way, I love the lighter, yet colorful, paint she chooses in a lot of her makeovers.
Source: Magnolia Homes
Here’s another pretty green/gray color. Okay, maybe green is growing on me…
Source: Magnolia Homes
There’s nothing prettier to me than a true gray color.
Source: Magnolia Homes
Unless you live in Waco, TX and plan on having Fixer Upper renovate a home for you (isn’t that the dream??), you may be stuck on where to start when choosing paint colors.
Well, I don’t have all the answers. But, through choosing paint I love and choosing paint I loathe on my walls, I’ve come up with a pretty solid step-by-step guide to choosing paint you won’t regret.
PLUS, I found 30+ farmhouse style neutral paint colors from various paint brands.
Hop over to Making it in the Mountains to see how to choose the perfect farmhouse neutral paint color!
Wishing you a joyful day!
The Comments
Bonnie
Thanks Sarah for the great pictures and paint color tips. That really helps me a lot. I need/want to paint my bedroom, hallway, and living room areas. I really like the cream in the bedroom picture that you featured.
Sarah @ Making Joy and Pretty Things
BonnieI’m so glad it was helpful, Bonnie!! I think we all struggle with choosing paint. Good luck choosing colors! The light cream would be perfect in a bedroom!
Melissa
Sarah @ Making Joy and Pretty ThingsWhat brand is the palette used?
Sarah @ Making Joy and Pretty Things
MelissaHi Melissa! I used a few different brands. If you like a particular color, the link will take you to whichever brand I picked. You’ll have to head over to Making it in the Mountains (link at bottom of post) to get all the colors. Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Lora
Love the color in the 1st kitchen photo. It’s very similar to what we have in several of our living areas. I just kind of picked it quickly as a neutral to get our home on the market, but I ended up really loving the color.
Sarah @ Making Joy and Pretty Things
LoraOh that’s one of my favorites, too!! Great choice for selling a home!
vanessa @ {nifty thrifty things}
Thank you so much for sharing the tips and beautiful examples!!
Now I gotta try and find some
Fixer Upper episodes to watch online. Haha
XO! Vanessa
Sarah @ Making Joy and Pretty Things
vanessa @ {nifty thrifty things}Oh no! Not on TV in Germany?? Fixer upper is basically my addiction … 😉
Shani | Sunshine & Munchkins
I wasn’t so sure I liked gray paint when it first started to become popular, but now I LOVE it. When we finished our basement, I insisted on gray paint because I knew it would brighten up the space and give it a more modern look. We used Worldly Gray from Sherwin Williams and get tons of compliments on it!
Sarah @ Making Joy and Pretty Things
Shani | Sunshine & MunchkinsI LOVE worldly gray! Such a pretty choice. There are so many different choices for gray these days it’s so hard to choose the perfect one!
Patti Dern
Thanks so much for sharing these colors, they’re gorgeous! I moved into our current home about 5 weeks ago and have made some great changes, knocking out walls, adding granite, etc. However, we are at a standstill on paint color. Any suggestions for a neutral for a dark living room?
Sarah @ Making Joy and Pretty Things
Patti DernHi Patti! First, thank you so much for stopping by 🙂 Choosing paint colors is SO hard, so I completely understand your hesitation. My favorite neutral is Alabaster by Sherwin Williams. We used it on our farmhouse girl’s nursery and I just shared a post yesterday 1/30 showing the color on the walls. It’s a creamy off-white shade that i think would really brighten up a dark living room. Let me know what you think!
Christina
Sarah @ Making Joy and Pretty ThingsWhat color of trim would you recommend with Alabaster? Thank you!
tori
what color is the 2nd picture..the darker green gray color used? love it …thanks!
Liz
HI! Great post. I’m not seeing the link for the balboa mist. Could you please tell me which brand of paint it is?
Thank you
Andrea
What color was used in the first picture ( cream bedroom)?
Gina Nolte
What color woodwork would go with the Alabaster paint? Also, what is the green-gray color?
Sarah @ Making Joy and Pretty Things
Gina NolteWe did all of our trim in Ultra Bright White by Behr. It’s a nice contrast to Alabaster. This was in our girl’s nursery. I’m not sure which color you’re referring to – if you click the Link at the bottom I continued the post on another blog and listed several farmhouse style paint colors.
Sandra Patterson
I love the picture with the light grey walls, with the yellow bowls of red fruit on the table, white cabinets, and light wood accent throughout the kitchen. I would love to be able to have a kitchen that looks just like this, and I am planning on moving soon! That sounds like the perfect opportunity for a new paint job to wherever we end up moving, especially if it is a farmhouse.
Crystal Carrington
Hi, what color would you recommend for my wall color with a barn wood flooring that has grays and browns ( light & dark)
Sunitha
Loved that kitchen. But maintaining it that way can be difficult for me.
Lisa
Hello! Great article. I was wondering if you could tell me the name of the dark green paint color used in the second photo? I really do like it. Thank you.