The Best Accent Wall COLORS (non-neutrals)
Blue, Green, Rust – these colors have you covered
If you’re in the mood for more color, I get it; I love color too. However, not everyone is cut out for accent walls AND color at the same time.
That’s right; accent walls aren’t always in style, nor is every color in the rainbow. But if you ask me…
The right color in the right spot works like a charm to add personality to a room.
One of the great things about accent walls (also known as feature walls) is that you can commit as hard as you want – as long as you live in your home, you can love it! However, stronger colors can negatively impact your home when it comes to selling.
Thankfully, you don’t have to repaint your entire room; you can throw a few fresh coats of a modern, popular color on your wall and be on your way!
Don’t get me wrong, the RIGHT color can help sell your home. But when you’re using actual ‘colors’, don’t assume yours will have mass appeal.
So, without further ado, let’s find the perfect hue for you.
1. BENJAMIN MOORE HALE NAVY HC 154
Blue or gray with a blue undertone is one of my favorite shades, as it can suit warm and cool paint colors. Not only that, but as far as ‘colors’ go, blue is one of the more timeless accent wall colors. However, while it may be timeless, it doesn’t suit EVERY home, so make sure your finishes crave it!
Oh, Hale yes! Hale Navy is the King of the navy world.
Why?
Hale Navy is a fine blend between committing to navy blue without going too primary OR too gray. However, this doesn’t mean it’s the best choice. Some find the blue of Hale Navy a bit too strong and dark, and need a shade of blue with a softer, gentler approach (with more gray).
Others want more blue, as Hale Navy is too tame, in which case I’ve got some great options tucked in here (but finish this blog post first; there’s way more coming up!).
As far as coordinating with Hale Navy, it humors a wide range of lighter neutrals, including…
- Many off-white and light-depth taupe paint colors
- Muted shades of cream
- Warm whites and flexible off-whites
Hale Navy shown with Benjamin Moore Silver Satin
2. SHERWIN WILLIAMS CYBERSPACE SW 7076
Cyberspace comes in a HOT second place to Hale Navy. It’s the same idea but a bit grayer while still leaving a great shot of navy on the wall.
Cyberspace is a super popular shade for walls, cabinets, and front doors. However, being more muted, it’s hard to decide whether it belongs in the ‘Best Dark NEUTRAL Paint Colors for Accent Walls‘ or is right at home in this one – it’s up to you, boo!
When coordinating with Cyberspace, its depth and subtle nature allow for a ton of options, including…
- Many light greige and light taupe paint colors
- Light shades of gray with blue or purple undertones (e.g. Sherwin Williams On the Rocks)
- Warm whites, bright whites – really, almost ANY type of white!
- And so much more – type any color into my SEARCH and see what comes up!
Here’s your Peel & Stick sample of Cyberspace…
Sherwin Williams Cyberspace: Paint Colour Review
3. BENJAMIN MOORE TAWNY ROSE 2173-20
Tawny Rose is a rich, rusty paint color. Not red, not orange, not brown, just a beautiful blend of them all!
Photo by Artez Photography
Rusty, orange-red colors aren’t always in style (while many shades of blue and green are more timeless), but again, it’s about the right color in the right spot.
Similar to Tawny Rose are Cinnamon, which is a bit more orange/bright, and Sienna, which is a bit darker and more grounded.
If you love rusty hues, partner them with a wide range of popular cream paint colors or warm whites. Some also suit some shades of beige and tan.
4. SHERWIN WILLIAMS PEWTER GREEN 6208
While some of us are busy hailing’ Hale Navy, others are ‘all hailing the Queen’ – Pewter Green.
As far as ‘colors’ go, Pewter Green is one of the most popular choices for accent walls. Sure, it’s still behind Hale Navy, but he’s been at it for a long time – Pewter Green is just starting her ascent to the crown.
I only use photos from my Online Color Consulting clients, friends, and followers, so I don’t always have the PERFECT example I need – but I still have great eye candy.
Here’s Pewter Green in a commercial space with Benjamin Moore’s White Dove side walls and trims…
Pewter Green looks gorgeous with so many lighter, neutral shades, including warm whites, some subtle lighter taupes, and a few flexible warm off-whites.
Benjamin Moore’s Best Medium to Dark Green Paint Colors
5. SHERWIN WILLIAMS ROYCROFT COPPER RED 2839
I don’t get nearly enough Online Paint Color clients asking for red or rust accent walls, so I’m SO happy when this request shows up!
Roycroft Copper Red is a beautiful approach to red. Whereas many reds come in HAWWWT, Roycroft Copper Red has a soft, orange (copper) backdrop, giving it a slightly more rustic, grounded look while offering a ton of great color.
Shown here with wood trim and Benjamin Moore Navajo White
Here’s another beautiful orange-red accent wall…
Ideas to Update Older Granite Countertops
Some people approach dark rooms with light, bright colors. Then there are others (myself included, for my own home) who aren’t afraid to give a dark space a bit of personality (and look at the office tucked away in the back—MAD LOVE!).
It’s your home – you do you!
If you love the look of Roycroft Copper Red, check out Sherwin Williams Red Barn.
6. SHERWIN WILLIAMS ROCK BOTTOM 7062
Go bold or go home…or heck, you can do both with this bad boy.
Rock Bottom is a wickedly dark green hue with some gray and blue for balance. Check it out in this home office. I LOVE the color-drenched effect of the painted walls, trims, and floating shelves…
With its LRV of 7, Rock Bottom ain’t messin’ around. Partner it with beautiful taupes, greiges, and subtle off-whites.
Here’s your Peel & Stick sample of Rock Bottom…
Sherwin Williams Best Medium to Dark Green Paint Colors
7. FARROW & BALL HAGUE BLUE NO.30
I can’t even BEGIN to profess my love for this shade of blue. Coming in hotter than Cyberspace and Hale Navy, Hague Blue is committed to blue with a touch of green for interest and depth.
While it’s not used as an accent wall color in this living room, you can instantly see the impact it makes…
The Best Dark Navy Blue Paint Colors
For a gorgeous, classic partnership, explore a range of cream paint colors and warm, simple shades of white with Hague Blue.
8. SHERWIN WILLIAMS CLOUDBURST 6487
If you’re looking for a BIG personality, let me introduce myself. Wait, this isn’t about me (not all the time, anyway). Instead, check out Cloudburst.
This striking shade of teal is a far cry from Riverway’s muted approach (coming up shortly). And while it’s not nearly as popular for the average home, some homes (e.g., Florida/beach home/kid’s room) are practically begging for a beautiful color like this.
9. SHERWIN WILLIAMS ROOKWOOD RED 2802
Not everyone loves a legit red when it comes to accent wall colors, which is where Rookwood Red fits in. While it’s most definitely a red blend, it’s far more grounded and stately.
However, because I only use photos from my Online Color Consulting clients, I don’t have a picture of Rookwood Red on an accent wall, but I do have it on this beautiful front door…
The Best Burgundy Paint Colors
10. SHERWIN WILLIAMS RIVERWAY 6222
There are so many gorgeous teal paint colors to choose from, but Riverway is my favorite as far as darker blue-green accent wall colors go.
Riverway is a solid, medium-dark green-blue blend. What makes it so USEABLE in the average home is its gray backdrop that calms it down and takes the edge off.
Sherwin Williams Riverway | Refuge | Mountain Stream (3)
Here’s your Peel & Stick sample of Riverway.
The Best Teal Paint Colors for Cabinets
11. FARROW & BALL CALKE GREEN NO. 34
While many go for more muted, safer shades of green, others commit on a bigger scale.
Simply put, Calke Green is amazeballs (not only am I cute, but I’m classy, too). This glorious shade of green has a slightly historic feel, adding instant personality and pizazz.
Not everyone has the cajones to put a color like Calke Green on their walls, and that’s okay. But if you’re looking for a color your friends will talk about (in front of and behind your back), Calke Green should do the trick.
The Best Medium to Dark Green Paint Colors
12. BENJAMIN MOORE NEWBURYPORT BLUE HC-155
Not everyone wants a legit navy blue, but they still want a shade with some serious meat on its bones – let me introduce you to Newburyport Blue.
This beautiful hue commits to its color, but it doesn’t have the visual weight of colors like Hale Navy and Cyberspace.
Not only is it pretty with white trim, it’s stunning with a wide range of wood stains, too…
13. BENJAMIN MOORE BLUE NOVA 825
Blue Nova is one of my favorite medium-depth accent wall colors. While not every home can handle a color with this intensity, when it works, it’s PERFECTION.
Blue Nova is more of a medium-depth accent color with a reasonably strong chrome (degree of color). Whereas many of the colors on this page have some gray to calm them, Blue Nova has far less, leaving a lot more color on your walls!
Benjamin Moore Blue Nova FULL Paint Color Review
RELATED BLOG POSTS
The 7 Best Places to Paint an Accent Wall
Accent Wall Ideas: The Best DARK & BLACK Paint Colors
The Best Navy Blue Paint Colours for Cabinets, Feature Walls and More
The 6 Best Dark Greige & Taupe Paint Colour: Sherwin Williams
The Best Off-White Paint Colours
Sherwin Williams: 5 of the Best Neutral Paint Colour
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