While trending paint colors and of-the-moment design styles often get a lot of buzz, when it comes to designing a timeless home, sticking with the classics is often the best route. Whether you’re keeping things cozy with the country cottage style or creating an ultra-cool, curated vibe with a midcentury aesthetic, each iconic look has a palette that defines it.
We asked designers which shades come to mind when they think of the most iconic, long-loved interior design styles, so if you are looking for color scheme inspiration that will never date, here is a good place to start.
Country Cottage: Sage Green and Dusty Pink
Sage green and pink are classic ‘cottage-core’ paint colors.
(Image credit: Girls at Flourish / Smith Street Interiors)
When you think of cottage style, it’s hard not to envision a soothing backdrop of warm white walls, soft barely-there pink accents, plenty of sage green, and lots of rustic, time-worn accents.
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‘Many of our clients lean into the warm, muted, earthy, and dusty colors to add to the vintage feel of the iconic cottage-style design,’ explains Brittany Bowen, co-founder of Girls At Flourish Studio. ‘While plenty of colors lend themselves to the cottage look, we feel like we see earthy greens and pinks repeatedly in some of our favorite cottage-core designs. This scullery (designed by Smith Street Interiors), couldn’t be a more perfect example.’
‘For a hazy pink, we used Mulberry Silk by Sherwin-Williams, and their earthy green is Bunglehouse Gray, also by Sherwin-Williams,’ says Brittany. These muted colors add the coziest vibes, and contrasted with the rich walnut cabinet tones and historic trim work, this palette is timeless without being bland. For us, nothing screams country cottage more than pink and green.’
New England Coastal: Crisp White and Sea Blue
Yarmouth Blue and white shiplap walls bring a distinctly coastal feel to this bathroom.
(Image credit: Dan Duchars)
Inspired by the seashore and the traditional beach huts dotted along the coastline, coastal design is defined by its white and blue color palette. Think white shiplap walls, and plenty of blue accents, from painted window frames to full-on feature walls.
‘Muted, historic blues paired with warm cream tones feel traditionally American and bring a timeless combination to any room,’ says Daniele Doerge, marketing manager and color expert at California Paints. ‘The colors have enough contrast to highlight strong traditional and colonial-style architectural details, but this particular color combination keeps the style elegant rather than overly formal. I love this combination, and especially in the New England area, we see a lot of this timeless design style.’
For a more muted take on the classic pairing, try heritage pale blue paints like Farrow & Ball’s Light Blue or Windy Blue by Sherwin-Williams (best beside a warm cream like Dover White).
Midcentury: Muted Mustard and Olive Green
Rich mustard paint and a striking leopard wallpaper (Wild Card by House of Hackney) bring a distinctly retro feel to this dining room.
(Image credit: House of Hackney)
Warm, autumnal tones are synonymous with mid-century interior design. From complex ochres to burnt oranges and forest greens, midcentury modern embraces deep saturation and comforting richness.
‘Mustard and olive green worked perfectly together in a lot of midcentury design, capturing that unique and nature-inspired interior design style,’ says Daniele. ‘Now, especially with the steady resurgence of love for midcentury modern homes, I love recommending slightly more muted versions of these hues, where the nostalgia is still there, but the softer tone makes the combination feel current.’
Timeless mustard paints like Little Greene’s Light Gold or the brown-tinted India Yellow by Farrow & Ball are perfect for schemes looking to bring a little dose of the past into the present day.
Classic Heritage: Charcoal
Benjamin Moore’s Flint brings a heritage feel to this colonial style home.
(Image credit: Caroline Levenson)
Smoky, navy blues, and deep grays define classic heritage style. ‘Whether used inside or outside of the home, these colors enhance architectural details and bring character without feeling dated,’ says Hannah Yeo, senior manager, color marketing at Benjamin Moore. ‘Especially for exteriors, homeowners often gravitate toward colors they can live with for many years rather than colors tied to a particular moment. These heritage-inspired hues create a warm, welcoming feeling that feels timeless, which is why they continue to be favorites generation after generation.’
In this moody living room, interior designer Caroline Levenson selected a warm gray as the palette’s central color. ‘We’re especially drawn to the rich earth tones, muted blues, and deep greens associated with the Colonial era. In this client’s Knoxville home, we enveloped the living room in Benjamin Moore’s Flint, a cool charcoal that acts as a neutral but takes on subtle blue undertones as the light changes throughout the day. Paired with warm wood tones, softer blues, and touches of yellow, the room feels cozy and cocooning without feeling heavy.’
Farmhouse Style: Warm White
Warm white paints are the perfect choice for farmhouse kitchens.
(Image credit: deVOL Kitchens)
A farmhouse kitchen isn’t complete without some warm white painted walls. While the classic ceramic sink and shiplap walls undeniably make the farmhouse style what it is, a light-changing white paint adds an elevated layer to the rustic look we all know and love.
Characterized by warm neutrals, rustic accents, and plenty of raw materials, off-whites couldn’t be more intrinsic to farmhouse style; they balance out its warmth and earthiness and bring a light, bright, and refreshing feel to a look that’s been embraced by Americans for centuries.
Shades like Benjamin Moore’s White Dove, a clean, timeless off-white with subtle notes of warmth or Farrow & Ball’s heritage shade, School House White, to balance the warm wood tones of the farmhouse look.
Classic colors, synonymous with classic styles, are a good place to start when planning a color scheme. Even if you plan to mix and match eras (the best homes always do), ensuring that your color scheme speaks to the style of your home or interiors will ensure a timeless cohesion.
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