28 Warm Paint Colors for the Most Inviting Home

For a lighter hue that's not too close to white, try Cat's Paw by Farrow and Ball. It perfectly complements the patterned bed sets in this South Carolina home.

Although you can't get the exact color of Martha Stewart's kitchen walls, Stormy Monday by Benjamin Moore is a similar alternative. "The custom paint color was inspired by shells," Martha notes.

This rustic Georgia home features"Z-back" cabinets painted in Prairie Grass by Sherwin-Williams, which match the board-and-batten walls.

Caitlin Wilson, the owner of this Oregon ranch, says her the common room of her home is inspired by its surroundings. "I looked to the beautiful chestnuts, golden hills, and leaves, combined with the deep blues of the water."

A rich and elegant shade of yellow—Golden Bark by Benjamin Moore—on the ceiling provides plenty of contrast in an otherwise neutral bedroom in this Alabama farmhouse.

When the homeowners of this 1800s Cape Cod cottage moved in, the pretty pink paint was already there. They left the crackling paint in place and let the cheery hue become the focal point of the guest bedroom.

The distressed green found in this cozy reading nook looks even more welcoming when paired with antiques and a roaring fire.

A hammock, a hat, and market bags—all souvenirs from Panama—line this curved stairwell. The door frame is painted Fireball Orange by Benjamin Moore.

Coat the walls of your entryway in Behr's Amber Brew. It's a fun and happy way to welcome your guests.

Suzanne and Lauren McGrath, authors of Good Bones, Great Pieces, rely on Hawthorne Yellow by Benjamin Moore to give even the smallest space a sunnier outlook. "Use the hue to paint the back wall of a bookshelf like we did in this photo and you'll instantly brighten the look of an entire room," says Lauren.

A faint shade of peach instantly adds warmth to a pint-sized bedroom.

White can be the most warming color of them all, swears interior designer (and renowned colorist) Jamie Drake. Benjamin Moore's Mayonnaise is the perfect neutral," he states. Other whites can look crisp and cold, but this hue's creamy yellow base makes it truly versatile. For layered complexity, like what's shown in this bedroom, weave together several tones—from the walls and furniture to the lampshades, pillows, and accessories.

The peach walls found in the bedroom of this colorful California farmhouse serve as the perfect backdrop for bold furniture and flooring.

Sarah Richardson, host of HGTV's Sarah's House, paints the ceiling of rooms to create warmth. "It works especially well if you have a sizable crown molding that can be painted in pure white to create a clear definition between the colors on the walls and ceiling," she says. As for her shades of choice, "it varies, but I tend to stay away from super-saturated hues in favor of ones like this pale lavender that look a bit faded."

What does designer Darryl Carter do to make a major impact with minimal effort? He picks up a paint can and gives a door a quick facelift. "Use an interior porch paint with high traffic sealant, such as Benjamin Moore's Phelps Black," he says. In this home, Carter applied his bold, high-gloss look to provide dramatic contrast to the white walls.

"I have an averse reaction to colors that feel too crisp," says designer Shawn Henderson. So when using shades that fall more in the cool family (such as the gray shown here), Henderson always selects an eggshell or matte finish. Then, he pairs the paint with plush, textured furniture to create a refined, relaxed environment.

"Terra cotta can be really inviting," says Annie Selke, author of Fresh American Spaces. "But, choose carefully because this color can go very wrong, very easily." To avoid going too red or too orange, Selke suggests applying large test swatches to see how a handful of hues look during the day and night. The shade used in this dining room feels particularly warm because of its pinkish-red undertones.