Interior Paint Colors for a Cleaner-Looking Home

Trending Videos

Paint Colors That Can Make Your Home Look Cleaner — Photo: Getty Images

White paint or shades in the white color family such as eggshell and ecru are standard interior paint colors for a reason, they're neutral and guaranteed to work with any style home or decor. While it's impossible to go wrong with light paint colors, white isn't necessarily the best choice for every room.

A major problem with light colors is that they have a tendency to scuff. If you have children, pets, or a lot of people coming in and out of your home, the wall paint can end up being difficult to maintain. To clean them, without resorting to a fresh coat of paint, follow our guide to cleaning every type of wall.

Kicking off a shoe, moving a piece of furniture, or even trying to install a floating shelf or art can also lead to an easily damaged or dirty-looking wall. While Magic Erasers ($7; amazon.com) and touch-up cans are great for regular maintenance, if they become a way of life, it's time to consider re-painting your walls a different color.

If you are constantly cleaning your walls, interior designer Alexis Rodgers of Home With Alexis suggests installing wainscoting as an alternative to drywall, in addition to a hardier paint color. "Not only is it easier to clean, but it elevates areas that may have otherwise lacked architectural interest," she says. "Wainscoting goes a long way in adding to the appeal of a clean, classic home."

If wainscoting isn't an option, the ideal alternative to white paint is a neutral that will help a room look both large and bright. Keep in mind that no matter what interior paint color you use, preparation is key. It's important to properly prime the wall and apply enough layers of paint. A quality application will not only increase the lifespan of the paint but also make it easier to keep it looking neat. And once you have picked your paint, make sure you're choosing the best finish. It's not just the color, but also the sheen of the paint that determines how clean or dirty your walls look.

No matter where you need to paint, here are five interior paint colors that provide a better alternative to white.

01 of 05

Benjamin Moore Aura Intuition

According to Rodgers, Benjamin Moore's Aura line is ideal for creating a clean, neat space. "It is a high quality, zero VOC paint line that allows you to choose the crisp, clean look of a matte finish with the ability to clean it when necessary," she says.

Intuition is a soft, flowery blue that's good for any room in the home that needs a bit of color without going too bold. It can be particularly pretty in a kitchen.

02 of 05

Backdrop Modern Love

This color is a muted pink with just a hint of gray. While it is cheerful and has a pop to it, the shade is not overly feminine. Modern Love is perfect for a living room or even to open up a smaller dining room. Plus, Backdrop makes buying paint easier by delivering everything you need right to your door. The company is now selling through Urban Outfitters, too.

03 of 05

Backdrop West Coast Ghost

West Coast Ghost by Backdrop is one of the new brand's best-selling grays. It's a great alternative to white because it has cool undertones, is subtle, and won't overpower the room. At the same time, it has an interesting depth and gives walls character.

04 of 05

Sherwin-Williams Agreeable Gray

The aptly named Agreeable Gray is one of Rodgers's favorite colors. "Keeping the paint color light and consistent throughout the home makes your space appear neater by giving it airy, seamless transitions from one room to the next. Whether your home gets very little natural light, is flooded with sunlight, or is somewhere in between, it's a perfect shade of gray with a pleasant, warm undertone," she says.

While this crowd-pleaser is more forgiving than a stark white that reveals every single smudge and fingerprint, it will serve as a neutral backdrop in your space. It you crave more color, add vibrant art and home accents to complete the look.

05 of 05

Benjamin Moore Harbor Gray

Rodgers also likes Benjamin Moore Harbor Gray: "It is a blue gray that looks great in beach homes and homes that have a lot of natural light." To make it easier to apply, she suggests diluting this color from 25 to 50-percent of its original formula. The color is also called Silver Chain, but don't worry, they're exactly the same.

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Tell us why!