How To Choose Paint Colors: Examples From Our Home

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Welcome to the colors of our home, friend! If you’ve ever stood in the paint aisle with 400 swatches in your hand, wondering how one tiny square could possibly decide the vibe of your whole house, you are so not alone.

Here’s the thing: paint colors are powerful. They set the mood, tell a story, and can literally change how you feel walking into a space. But let’s be real – picking the “right” shade is not as easy as Pinterest makes it look. One minute you’re sure you’ve nailed the perfect greige, the next you’re squinting at your walls at 9 PM thinking, why does this look purple?!

Add in all the extras, matte vs. glossy finishes, trendy tones vs. classics, wondering if you should DIY or call in the pros, and yeah, it gets overwhelming fast. So here’s the fun part: ever wonder what paint colors designers actually use in their own homes? Not just what we suggest for clients, but what we live with every day. I’m about to share with you the exact colors we used throughout our house, why we picked them, and how they actually feel in real life.

Whether you’re hunting for the perfect neutral, craving a moody accent wall, or just need some inspo before you go cross-eyed in the paint aisle, I’ve got you.

In today’s blog post, I’m pulling back the curtain on the paint colors we used throughout our home. Since we’re a design + build team, we’ve done a mix, some spaces we painted ourselves (because we’ve got the skills and love being hands-on), and others we hired out to our trusted pro painters. Both choices had their reasons. But let me be real for a sec: painting isn’t just slapping color on the wall. It’s a craft. Crisp edges, smooth finishes, and the right products make all the difference. And whether it’s us doing the work or our go-to crew, the end goal is always the same: beautiful, intentional spaces that actually feel good to live in.

How to Choose Paint Colors That Actually Work for You

Here’s the thing—paint trends come and go, but the color you put on your walls stays with you. You have to live with it every single day. And my number one philosophy? Stay true to yourself. Your home is your canvas, your retreat, your vibe. The colors you pick should spark creativity, set the mood, and honestly just make you feel good when you walk in the door.

Choosing paint colors isn’t about copying Pinterest or grabbing the “it” shade of the year. It’s about creating a space that feels like you. Here’s how I approach it (and how I help clients do the same):

1. Start with You

Think about your personality, lifestyle, and what you want each space to feel like. Do you need calming blues in your bedroom, energizing greens in your office, or neutrals that give you flexibility to switch up décor? Color impacts mood—so lean into the shades that make you feel your best. 

2. Create a Mood Board

Don’t just wing it in the paint aisle (trust me, that’s a fast track to overwhelm). Collect inspiration from Pinterest, magazines, or even nature. Pull images into a mood board and see what colors keep popping up. You’ll notice patterns—and those patterns are your guide.

3. Test in Real Light

This one is huge. Natural light changes everything. A color that looks dreamy at noon might turn muddy gray at night. Always test samples on your actual walls and watch how they shift morning to evening. It’s the only way to know if a color is really going to work in your home.

4. Create a Cohesive Palette

Every room doesn’t need to be matchy-matchy (boring!), but keeping a cohesive palette throughout your home makes the whole space feel intentional. Think of it like an outfit—your shirt and shoes don’t have to be the same color, but they should play nicely together. When your walls flow from one room to the next, it creates that calm, connected vibe instead of feeling choppy or random. 

5. Add Your Personal Touch

This is where the fun comes in. Your paint colors should feel like you. Pull inspo from your hobbies, travels, or even your favorite places. Love the beach? Bring in shades of soft blue and sandy beige. Obsessed with bold, eclectic style? Go for rich jewel tones or a moody accent wall. Paint is one of the easiest ways to let your personality shine in your home, so don’t be afraid to go for it.

6. Accent Walls + Focal Points

If you’re itching to play with bold paint colors but don’t want to go all-in on four walls, accent walls are your best friend. Pick one wall (behind your bed, around a fireplace, or even the ceiling if you’re feeling wild) and go bold. Think deep navy, rich green, or even classic black. This trick adds just enough drama without overwhelming the whole room.

Accent walls and focal points are also a great way to highlight architectural details you already love—built-ins, a bay window, trim work. The color draws your eye right where you want it to go. It’s like eyeliner for your house.

Mindful Gray SW, Pictured 

7. Emotional Connection

At the end of the day, the best paint colors are the ones that make you feel something. Soft greens and earthy tones can instantly calm you down, while vibrant reds and oranges bring in warmth and energy. And remember—it’s not just about the paint. You can layer in emotion through your décor too. I’m a big believer that every single thing in your home should either spark joy, be a family heirloom, or serve a real purpose. Your home should tell a story, and that story should be about you and your people. 

8. Evolving Spaces

Your home is always changing—just like you. Don’t be afraid to shift your paint colors as life shifts. Maybe your style evolves, maybe your family grows, maybe you just need a fresh vibe. A new coat of paint can completely transform the energy of a space, and there’s zero shame in switching it up when it no longer feels right.

Mindful Gray SW, Pictured

Our Home Paint Colors

So what did we land on? We’ve got three core Sherwin-Williams colors that really anchor our home: Snowbound (SW 7004), Mindful Gray (SW 7016), and Tricorn Black (SW 6258).

• Snowbound SW 7004 – This is our go-to white. It’s a warm, creamy white with just the slightest gray undertone, which keeps it from looking too stark. We used it in the larger, open areas of our home because it feels fresh but still cozy. It pairs beautifully with grays, beiges, and even greige tones.

• Mindful Gray SW 7016 – This is our cozy, live-in color. Yes, people say grays are “out,” but I’m here to say: if you love it, use it. Mindful Gray has just enough warmth and balance that it doesn’t feel cold, and it plays so nicely with blues and greens (which we sneak into our décor everywhere). We used this in the living rooms to create a calm, inviting vibe.

• Tricorn Black SW 6258 – If you know me, you know I love some contrast. All of our window trim and interior doors are painted in Tricorn Black, and it is the perfect pop against Snowbound and Mindful Gray. It’s classic, bold, and brings that touch of drama without being overwhelming.

These three colors together create a cohesive palette that feels timeless but still personal to us.

Snowbound, SW 7004 

Snowbound, SW 7004 is a warm white from Sherwin Williams. It is a beautiful and versatile paint color, that we use often besides in our home. With its slight gray undertone, it falls into the category of cool whites, which can add a sense of calm and sophistication to any space.

Snowbound White SW + Tricorn Black SW, Pictured 

The description paints a vivid picture, likening the experience of being surrounded by this color to stepping into a snowy glade. This imagery suggests a serene atmosphere, evoking feelings of peace and purity. The fact that it pairs well with other gray-influenced colors makes it even more versatile, allowing homeowners and interior designers to create harmonious color schemes that are both elegant and modern. This is why we paired this with Mindful Gray, which you can see in the photo below on the left, moving into the living room. It also pairs nicely with any gray beige, or “greige” as well. 

Mindful Gray SW + Snowbound White SW + Tricorn Black SW, Pictured

If you’re considering using this color in your home, it’s great to know that it complements other shades with gray undertones. This means you can experiment with various combinations, creating a cohesive and stylish look throughout your living space. Remember, lighting conditions in the room can affect how paint colors appear, so it’s always a good idea to test a small sample of the paint in the actual space before making a final decision.

Snowbound White SW, pictured

Mindful Gray, SW 7016

Mindful Gray by Sherwin Williams creates a warm and inviting ambiance, making every moment spent there truly delightful. To enhance its charm, consider pairing it with a cool white like Pearly White. The contrast between the warm gray and crisp white adds depth and sophistication, making your space feel both inviting and stylish. Embrace the harmony of this perfect pairing and let your living room radiate timeless elegance. While they say “grays” are out of trend, I think this gray is the perfect color blend that brings gray and greige undertones seamlessly. And if you still like grays like me, you can use gays despite the trends. While hints of blue and green add depth to this color, they won’t overwhelm your space. These subtle touches ensure Mindful Gray stays wonderfully balanced perfectly. And as you can see we are all about the colorful touches of blues and greens within our home, so this color is fitting for our lifestyle vibe. 

Mindful Gray SW + Tricorn Black SW, Pictured 

Tricorn Black, SW 6258

Tricorn Black by Sherwin Williams stands out as one of the most reliable black shades due to its absence of undertones. With this pure black, you eliminate the possibility of unexpected warm or cool tones appearing on your surfaces, preventing clashes with other colors or materials in your space. It’s a choice that guarantees a sleek and cohesive look, adding sophistication without the worry of color conflicts.

Mindful Gray SW + Tricorn Black SW, Pictured 

Elevate your space with the trendy and endlessly chic Marten Black. This hue is anything but ordinary, ensuring your space is always on-trend and never boring. Paired with crisp white, it creates a timeless contrast that exudes sophistication. Being a true black, it effortlessly complements any undertone, making it a versatile choice for any design palette. Embrace the boldness and elegance of Marten Black, transforming your space into a statement of modern style.

Mindful Gray SW + Tricorn Black SW, Pictured

Naval, Blue SW 6244

Indulge in the calming embrace of this Naval deep blue, adorned with its tranquil gray-green undertone. Transform your study or office into a sanctuary of meditative serenity, where productivity meets peace. This sophisticated hue adds depth and a touch of nature-inspired calmness to your space, making it an ideal choice for your workspace. Dive into the soothing ambiance and let the creativity flow in this serene atmosphere. 

Here is another great example of how we paired Snowbound for the walls in our lower level with the whites, blues, and green tile mosaic in our bar area within this same space. As well as the Naval blue in the cabinetry within the bar area and the built-ins. 

  

Dried Thyme, Green SW 6186

Hands down my all-time favorite green, Dried Thyme. Introduce a breath of fresh air into your space with this organic, outdoorsy shade that exudes both freshness and sophistication. Ideal for making a bold statement on kitchen cabinets, this hue seamlessly blends the natural world with modern design. The subtle hint of blue adds a cool, calming touch, transforming your kitchen into a serene oasis. Embrace the balance of nature and sophistication, creating a harmonious atmosphere that welcomes both style and tranquility.

 

Custom c2s Brand Colors, Mural 

My favorite is our wall custom mural using our c2s brand colors that mimic a race track for our wild and crazy boys. We let our friend and local artist Kara, from Hotmess Homemaker, take the reins and do whatever she wanted and this is what she came up with! I was obsessed with the initial concept. I couldn’t have imagined anything more fitting for our family lifestyle. 

Sara Schultz did our c2s branding and she nailed it out of the park! What I loved most about her inspiration when coming up with our c2s color pallet was that she sourced inspiration from our own home. So it was a no-brainer to incorporate this mural with our c2s colors back into our home, which we knew would flow perfectly. Here’s a glimpse at her mood board and the color palette she chose. 

Sheen Choices

Lastly, let’s chat about paint sheens. These sheens determine the level of gloss and shine the paint will have once it dries. Here are the common sheen levels:

Flat/Matte

Challenging to clean and prone to negative reactions with moisture (Ever notice those stubborn drip lines down your bathroom wall caused by shower steam? They can be incredibly tough to remove from flat paint.) The benefit of this paint is if you DIY and you’re not the best painter, it is forgiving. To me personally, this is the only benefit of flat paint. We would never recommend a Flat/Matte finish – well, really on anything. But especially walls. A lot of builder-grade homes have a flat finish and that’s the first thing when we renovate these homes, that goes. Clients get so frustrated with how fast the walls get marked up and it doesn’t come off. 

Eggshell

This finish has a slight shine, similar to the surface of an egg (hence the name). It’s more washable than flat/matte finishes and is commonly used in living rooms and bedrooms. This is the most popular finish and usually what you’ll be finding us using. This is what we use for most main areas – living rooms, kitchens, bedrooms, and all high-traffic areas. 

Satin

Satin finishes have a soft sheen and are more durable and washable than flat or eggshell finishes. They are often used in high-traffic areas like hallways and children’s bedrooms.

Semi-Gloss

Semi-gloss finishes have a noticeable shine and are highly durable and easy to clean. They are often used for trim, doors, and cabinets in kitchens and bathrooms.

Gloss

Gloss finishes have a high shine and are the most reflective of all sheens. They are exceptionally durable and are often used on doors, cabinets, and other surfaces that need to withstand a lot of wear and tear.

High-Gloss

High-gloss finishes have an even shinier surface than gloss finishes, providing a mirror-like appearance. They are incredibly durable and are typically used on furniture or accent pieces.

Each sheen has its advantages and best uses, so the choice of sheen depends on the specific requirements of the surface being painted and the desired aesthetic effect. For us and within our home, on all of our walls, we used Semi-Gloss, and on all cabinets, we applied Semi-gloss. 

I hope you all found this helpful! Any painting questions, leave a comment below and we’ll be sure to help you out.