The 8 Best LIGHT Paint Colors for Home Staging (Selling)
Popular Neutral Paint Colors with MASS APPEAL
Besides decluttering and cleaning, painting is the least expensive way to add value to your home. Not only does it add monetary value (a well-maintained home is far more appealing than one with scuffed walls), but it also adds emotional value as the buyer walks through your home, envisions living in it, loves it, and has to HAVE it!
In my article, The Best Paint ‘COLORS’ for Home Staging & Selling, I talked about actual ‘colors’ because some slightly stronger colors are suitable for resale, depending on the room, exposure, and style of the home. This approach is more on a ‘per room‘ basis rather than a ‘paint your whole home this color’ one.
This article is for those who want to paint one room or their WHOLE HOME a soft, neutral color with massive mass appeal.
However, let me preface this with the following…
While gray paint colors are still used in today’s homes, trends are shifting warmer. Talk to your Realtor to find out what your demographic and local market is looking for in an ‘updated’ home. Generally, most grays aren’t the best choice for a ‘whole home’ application.
1. SHERWIN WILLIAMS SHOJI WHITE SW 7042
Trends are leaning warmer, but not every homeowner or home is ready to hit the beige world. This is where a color like Shoji White comes in handy.
Shoji White is a warm neutral, sitting in the off-white world (in the lower end of it). It has a nice creamy-gray blend with only a fraction of a pink undertone. This undertone might sound scary, but MANY popular interior finishes cater to this hue, so don’t let that scare you off!
If the pink is a dealbreaker (remember, it’s subtle and often suitable!), check out Sherwin Williams White Duck for the fix!
2. SHERWIN WILLIAMS CREAMY SW 7012
If you’re looking for a gorgeous cream without too much yellow in it, this is a gooder. Creamy is a yellow paint color with a neutral base to calm it down, and it has just the right amount of both. If you look at the baseboard in the photo below, you’ll see the difference between Creamy and Benjamin Moore Cloud White…
WHY IS CREAMY SUCH A POPULAR CREAM PAINT COLOUR?
- Creamy is a warm color without being overly yellow.
- Creamy can appeal to a younger and older crowd as it’s versatile enough to accommodate both warm and cool tones in decor.
- It has more depth to it than White Dove and Cloud White for those who don’t want white walls.
- I also love the slightly more subtle Benjamin Moore White Down.
- It works well in north or east-facing rooms as the warmth helps to balance out the cooler light.
- It’s a great color for hallways and darker areas.
ROOMS WHERE YOU SHOULD AVOID CREAMY
- If you have an intense, bright southern sun – it will disappear unless you want a super soft, subtle look. Check out a different cream instead.
- If your finishes can’t handle a yellow undertone, Creamy won’t work.
I am also a fan of Sherwin Williams Alabaster, which is more of a warm white, not quite an off-white…
The waiting room of Eddins Counselling
The 5 Best Cream Paint Colours
Color Review of Sherwin Williams Creamy
3. BENJAMIN MOORE CLASSIC GRAY OC-23
Classic Gray is not exactly what it says, as while it IS classic, it’s not always gray! As far as light, soft grays go, this is one of my favorites. Many of today’s popular light gray colors can go slightly blue or green—not this one. Classic Gray favors a wee purple undertone that softens this color and gives it interest.
The other great thing about Classic Gray is that it can flex between warm gray and taupe, depending on your room, exposure, and the surrounding finishes. As a whole home color, it will flex how it looks as the lighting changes between your rooms. Its subtle warmth can also appeal to those who prefer warmer shades and dislike grays while appeasing those who still love the wild world of gray!
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WHY IS CLASSIC GRAY SUCH A POPULAR PAINT COLOR?
- It gives the illusion of gray without being cold or icy.
- The depth (LRV) suits a variety of rooms and conditions.
- It works well in rooms with any type of exposure.
- It’s flexible to accommodate a variety of tastes.
- It adds a bit more depth, and you’ll get Balboa Mist or Collingwood.
ROOMS WHERE YOU SHOULD AVOID CLASSIC GRAY
- If you have products with a green undertone (look at Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter)
- Rooms with a LOT of natural light will make Classic Gray washout.
Paint Colour Review: Benjamin Moore Classic Gray
4. BENJAMIN MOORE WHITE DOVE OC-17
White Dove is a great choice for a soft white look. Unlike Cloud White, which has a bit more warmth-yellow, White Dove has a more neutral base while still having the underlying warmth that stops it from becoming flat or gray.
If White Dove is too warm for your home’s finishes and exposure, take a peek at Sherwin Williams Pure White, which is equally amazing.
WHY IS WHITE DOVE SUCH A POPULAR WHITE PAINT COLOUR?
- White Dove is warm without having a definitive ‘color.’
- It can be used on trim, walls, and cabinets for a seamless look (read more HERE).
- North and south-facing rooms look great in White Dove’s subtle warmth.
- It suits most rooms, as long as you’re going for a soft, warm white look.
Sherwin Williams Pearly White walls, White Dove cabinets
ROOMS WHERE YOU SHOULD AVOID WHITE DOVE
- Dark rooms—or, more to the point, White Dove is fine in a dark room, but it won’t save the day (improve your lighting).
- If you have clean white in your surrounding finishes (i.e., white appliances).
Benjamin Moore 8 Best White Paint Colours
Paint Colour Review of Benjamin Moore White Dove
5. BENJAMIN MOORE EDGECOMB GRAY HC-173
Edgecomb Gray is hands-down one of the most popular warm, neutral paint colors, not just for home staging but for new construction, remodels, and more!
WHY IS EDGECOMB GRAY SUCH A POPULAR PAINT COLOR?
- It’s a happy medium for those who love gray and those who prefer beige.
- Its depth suits a variety of rooms and conditions.
- It works well in rooms with any type of exposure so long as the lighting is adequate.
- Edgecomb Gray is flexible to accommodate a variety of tastes.
ROOMS WHERE YOU SHOULD AVOID USING EDGECOMB GRAY
- If you have products with a green undertone, be careful, as it can look a bit pink in comparison.
- In super low light rooms it can look dingy, make sure you have enough interior lighting.
WHAT ARE SOME ALTERNATIVES TO EDGECOMB GRAY?
If you want your walls a bit lighter and warmer than Agreeable Gray, check out Benjamin Moore Ballet White or Sherwin Williams White Duck.
Paint Colour Review of Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray
6. BENJAMIN MOORE MARITIME WHITE 963/OC-5
Maritime White has been layin’ low for the last few years, but with an uptick in warm colors, we’re bound to see more of it in our Instagram feeds!
Maritime White is an off-white shade of beige, meaning it’s a warm paint color. One of the things that makes it so popular is that while it centers on beige, it can flex towards many finishes that need a bit of orange-yellow or orange-pink.
WHY IS MARITIME WHITE A POPULAR WARM NEUTRAL?
- Whereas some of the old-school beiges (early 2000s) are heavy and golden, Maritime White is bright and soft.
- It suits a wide range of beige-tan interior finishes.
- Its temperature and degree of color (chroma) suits many exposures without beige too cold or leaning overly warm.
WHAT ARE ALTERNATIVES TO MARITIME WHITE?
Ooo, there are a bunch! And while none are a perfect match to Maritime White—that’s the point—we need to sample and compare similar shades to see which one best suits our home! Take a look at Sherwin Williams Moderate White and Divine White for a very comparable look. For a bit more depth, Benjamin Moore Muslin and Sherwin Williams Natural Linen are amazeballs.
FULL Paint Color Review of Benjamin Moore Maritime White
7. SHERWIN WILLIAMS EGRET WHITE SW 7570
While Agreeable Gray has held the title in previous years, with trends shifting warmer and softer, Egret White is nipping at its heels.
Egret White is a soft, warm neutral on the high end of the light range. With an overall ‘taupe’ approach, it doesn’t commit hard to gray or beige and offers a ton of flexibility.
Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray Paint Color Review
WHY IS EGRET WHITE SUCH A POPULAR NEUTRAL PAINT COLOR?
- It has huge mass appeal; home buyers love it, and it’s also a popular color in new construction.
- It goes with various surfaces, as the undertones are pretty flexible.
- If you have a room with south-facing or west-facing afternoon rooms, Egret White offers warmth without being as overblown as beige or tan.
- North-facing rooms love Egret White’s passive warmth, which balances the cool, flat light. Just make sure this room has enough natural light.
Egret White even works in some 90s and 2000s bathrooms!
ROOMS WHERE YOU SHOULD AVOID USING EGRET WHITE
- If your room is dark, Egret White could look dingy or drab, but so will most colors. Try to improve your interior lighting and decor situation!
WHAT ARE SOME ALTERNATIVES TO EGRET WHITE?
The previously mentioned Benjamin Moore Classic Gray is a great comparison to Egret White. Sherwin Williams City Loft is another to explore. Even better, make your sampling easier with this CURATED COLOR BUNDLE, including Egret White!
Sherwin Williams Egret White Paint Color Review
Paint Colour Review of Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray
8. SHERWIN WILLIAMS NATURAL LINEN SW 9109
Natural Linen could be a great color for your home if your demographic or region leans into warmer trends.
Natural Linen is a light-depth shade of beige with a bit more depth and body than Maritime White. It’s a popular choice for homes with a lot of beige-tan finishes but need a color lighter and brighter than those shades from the early 2000s.
FULL Paint Color Review of Sherwin Williams Natural Linen
WHY IS NATURAL LINEN A POPULAR WARM NEUTRAL?
- While it has an obvious warmth compared to beiges with more body and depth, it’s incredibly muted and soft.
- Natural Linen is light enough to suit a whole home and various conditions while contrasting with white trim.
- It offers a warm balance to cool, north-facing rooms or those with flat eastern afternoon or morning western light.
ROOMS WHERE YOU MIGHT AVOID USING NATURAL LINEN
- Rooms with a lot of gray finishes. It can be tricky (but not impossible) to merge gray and beige in your interior finishes and paint colors.
- Homes with south-facing light. Depending on how warm your room looks, make sure Natural Linen doesn’t look OVERLY warm in this light.
ALTERNATIVES TO NATURAL LINEN
If you like Natural Linen and want to explore similar shades, check out Sherwin Williams Moderate White and Divine White for a lighter look. Benjamin Moore Muslin is a popular shade of beige with a similar depth and just a tweak in undertones.
READ MORE
The 10 Best Off-White, Neutral Paint Colors
My Paint Color Review of Sherwin Williams Pearly White
The Best Paint COLOURS for Home Staging
NEED HELP?
Check out my affordable Online Consulting Services!
Originally written 2017, updated in 2024
Please, can you help me? I’ve tried so many samples in this room. South facing. Everything is either orangy or pink! Im in tears and defeated. Can I send you a picture?
Hi Catherine, thank you for your note! Due to the amount of emails that I get in a day, I do need to refer personal questions to my Online Consulting. It’s affordable and fun! You get to send me photos and fill out a questionnaire and I’m sure I can help you with your room 🙂 If that interests you, here is the link! https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/online-decorating-design-services/
Chat soon 🙂 Kylie
Hello Kylie,
I have decided to paint my walls with Benjamin Moore Manchester tan but am struggling to find the right white for the trim. I have sample of Simply White against Manchester tan but it looks too white. I have honey oak colour floors so what white paint would complement the Manchester paint for the trims, baseboards and doors?
Thanks,
Shelley
Hi Shelly! Check out White Dove which is still warm, but has a much more neutral base – you might like that a bit better 🙂 I also like SW Alabaster!
~Kylie
This is such a helpful article, I’ve referred to it countless times in the past week as I pick out a gray for my living and dining rooms. I had it down to balboa mist and classic gray, and painted a bunch of swatches to see how they REALLY look. Balboa is a bit too dark for the look I want, although it looks better in the daylight. I’m going with classic gray!
My question for you is, what would be the ideal amount to lighten classic gray for the adjoining hallway? I still want it to read as a light gray (not white) but to be distinctly lighter than the living room… Since it’s already quite light, I’m concerned about hitting the ideal in between tint. Thanks Kylie!
Hi Kellie! Well, if it were me using Classic Gray, I don’t know if I’d go over 25% otherwise I’d worry about ‘losing it’ a bit… that is a GOOD choice too, you’ll find it more versatile than Balboa – absolutely.
Repose gray on ceilings and walls with pure white trim? Also rooms with mindful gray and Dorian with repose ceilings ? What do you think ? I’m mentally exhausted and feel like I just need to go with it.
I would like to do pure white on the ceiling too but am afraid and my husband likes the darks so using repose on the ceiling for him is light. Going with agreeable gray in main area where the ceilings are cathedral with black stain on beams and cabinets with island painted Dorian gray. My fireplace has some tan, gray , rust so didn’t want it to look dingy with a grayer tone.
If doing canvas tan walls, will Alabaster be to dull or yellows for the trim? I don’t want an overly bright white. And how about for the ceilings- shall I do Alabaster as well?
Hi Lori, I do love Alabaster. You can ask them to add 4 ounces of white to it, which just cleans it up a stitch – that might help 🙂
I’m surprised Revere Pewter (BM) didn’t make the list 🙂
It was close! I do love RP, but in some homes it can be a touch heavy as it is a slightly darker ‘light’ colour. It’s also a bit unpredictable with its green undertone. I do have mad love for it though, that doesn’t alway show up to the party, but sometimes shows up when you don’t want it to!
Does Classic Gray look good with dark woods?
Hi Annette, it can!
Hi Kylie,
Where would Pale Oak fall in the mix? Our walls are currently Antique White which makes our trim look more white (they’re actually more of a cream), but I’m dying for “gray” walls and don’t want my gray to go blue/purple/green. Any tips? I’m looking for a good whole house light neutral. Our house faces east/west. Thanks!
Hi Kate, Pale Oak is beautiful. It’s a warmer gray/greige tone, but can (if encouraged) pick up a very slight pink that you have to watch for!
Hi Kylie!
I wanted to know if you would review Sherwin Williams Gossamer Veil and Knitting Needles.
Thank You!
Dana
PS, Please make more videos!
Oooo, Gossamer Veil is on my hit list! I will be doing my video NEXT WEEK. Unfortunately, I can’t do a blog post until I have images of it used in a clients home, so that will have to wait – it’s a wicked cool colour though!
Thank you for your guidance with paint. I have learned so much from your blog. Can you make suggestions for colors and whites that go nicely with floors that have a red undertone? Thank you.
Hi Marie, that would make a great blog post – I’ll have to see if I have enough photos to support any entire post…maybe! If not, I do have an affordable E-design service that is fun. This way I can look at your room and make suggestions that actually make sense! https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/online-decorating-design-services/
~Kylie
Hi! Would u use classic gray for exterior . I’m painting brick
Hi Joanne, you certainly can, but it’s a VERY light colour and will wash out with sun on it. Having white trim will help, to show some contrast…
Terrific site – thanks for your really helpful advice! I’m drowning trying to decide on a true neutral (not yellow, pink or green) almost-whole house color to replace BM Pale Almond (too yellow) and Everlasting (too fleshy). I don’t mind a teeny-tiny hint of gray. I have rounded corners (so color has to continue), Simply White trim and kitchen cabinets with Black Absolute counters in bright south and west kitchen and a two-story bright north facing foyer. I’m sampling Manchester Tan (based on your post) and Timson Sand. Any thoughts on TS? Thanks a lot!
Hi Ginny! Due to the number of emails I get every day, I have to pick n’ choose which questions to answer, focusing first on the ones that have mass appeal! I do try to give as much complimentary info as I can on my blog and if that doesn’t help, it might be time for a closer look with my E-design. Otherwise, I’m just guessing as to how the lighting affects the room, flooring and so many other things to consider when choosing a paint colour! https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/online-decorating-design-services/
I hope to hear from you!
~Kylie
Hi Kylie,
I am planning on painting my living room and hallway with BM Stonington Gray. I tried the sample color and like it, but feel it looks a bit dark. I also noticed that it picks up the blue undertone in my south exposed living room. I just read your advise about lightening it up by 25%. If I lighten it up will the blue undertone come through more or will it be the same color just lighter?
Thank you,
Nancy
Hi Nancy, i HAVE found that Stonington Gray does pick up a bit more blue when it’s lightened by 25%! Check out SW Big Chill, see if it feels a bit better 🙂
You mention adding white to alabaster to “clean it up a little”. We are painting the walls canvas tan and the trim and ceilings with alabaster. We did not do anything special with the mixture. Will it look okay?
Absolutely, you’ll be all good!
What would you say are the best whites with Manchester tan? I am painting a large living room Manchester tan and the adjoining rooms are Revere Pewter. I need to paint all my trim and doors so I am hoping for something that complements both. Love your site! So much fresh advice, thank you!
Would you use classic gray in a large living room that is well lit but is north facing? Or would creamy feel more warm and cozy? I love the idea of bright and fresh but I don’t like cold at all.
What is the difference between lightening a color by a percentage and going one color down on the strip of paint swatches, i.e. Benjamin Moore Classic Gray lightened by 25% vs Calm? Thank you.
Hi Judy, that’s a good question! It can change for every colour and the thing is, even though the paint companies put colours next to each other in a colour strip, they aren’t necessarily the same colour just lightened/darkened – they like to fool us that way ;). I’ve found that generally speaking, if you lighten a colour by 25% it’s a very slight shift on the original colour. 50% gives you a more moderate shift, where the undertones can change more noticeably and 50% is sometimes the halfway point between one colour and another on a colour strip. So sadly, there isn’t a really easy answer, but the short one is that 25% lighter is more of a tweak of Classic Gray and won’t give you Calm!
Hi Kylie,
Whenever I am thinking of painting, I always refer to your blog. I almost always agree with your point of view. I have just renovated my kitchen and have painted it and the family room in Balboa Mist. I am about to purchase new sectional and accent chair for the family room and trying to decide whether to go with a darker grey or charcoal colour or to go lighter. The accent chair will likely be a pattern. My accent tables are dark wood and glass. What would you suggest?
Thank you!
Hi Leanne! Well, it can depend on the other finishes in the room like flooring/drapes/rugs/etc… but I might be inclined to go in the middle of the road – nothing too drastic/dark, but nothing overly washed-out. The lighter it is (the closer it is in-depth to the walls) the more bang-on the undertones need to be. I mean, you’ll still need purple undertones in a medium or darker gray, but it’s easier to coordinate ;).
Hi,
In the picture of the buffet with two lamps and two lt blue chairs on the right, is it Alabaster?
Yes it is :).
Hi Kylie,
Always love reading your blog, so helpful!
We have Classic Gray in a bathroom and love it, so neutral and calm. I have also been sampling some other lighter neutrals that you don’t see much about and wonder what your thoughts are – all Benjamin Moore; Wind’s Breath, Gray Mist and Natural Cream.
We painted our west facing bedroom BM Natural Cream, it turned out so lovely, a nice blend of grey and beige. It’s a bit cooler in the morning but warms up nicely as the day goes on without getting too HOT in the afternoon sun. Any opinion to share on these colors?