Farmhouse Paint Colors by Benjamin Moore
Favorite farmhouse paint colors that will give you that neutral farmhouse “fixer upper” touch throughout your home, and a modern farmhouse look. A paint color for every room!
Farmhouse style is a trend that is here to stay. I think it’s because there’s not just one way to do it. It can be more modern, traditional, rustic, or your own combination. We’ve already seen how it’s transformed over the past few years, while still maintaining the coziness it emanates. If you want to give your space more of a farmhouse look, paint is a great place to start.
Paint is such an integral part of our homes, and really sets the tone in each room. Whether you’re going for cozy or moody, cheery or modern, neutral or colorful, warm or cool, paint will be one of the biggest pieces of the puzzle. There are also paint shades that work best for different styles, such as my personal favorite, farmhouse style. Best of all, paint is one of the least expensive ways to update or transform your space.
I just love this collection of farmhouse colors. They’re neutral, which makes them so versatile. The coziness they emit makes them perfection. If you love Joanna Gaines and her Fixer Upper style, many colors very similar to these have been used in the homes they’ve done. They work both in a modern farmhouse style setting, as well as a more traditional or rustic farmhouse style, like mine. I’m not very modern, and definitely am pulled toward the more traditional farmhouse looks, but I can use these paint colors as easily as a modern farmhouse. Benjamin Moore has so many fantastic colors, and I tend to gravitate toward that brand, so I chose some of my favorites to share with you.
Modern farmhouse paint colors
I chose a farmhouse color palette featuring favorite white colors, as well as neutral colors in different shades of grey, blue, brown, and white.
Now if you know Old Salt Farm, you know that all my walls are white, except one room, which is a dark gray (my son’s choice!). I have Decorator’s White throughout my home (walls–satin and trim–semi gloss), and it’s true white with a tiny bit of gray. I LOVE it, and it’s my favorite white paint color. It pairs well against shades of gray and beige, and it’s a brighter white…but not too bright.
I’ve continued to use this color in other home projects, including shiplap, and my boys’ built-in bunk beds. It’s lent a cohesive look from room to room, and overall throughout the home. I’ve even used it when I’ve made farmhouse signs or other decor, and everything blends so well. Combining different whites means risking varying tones, and being consistent means that I haven’t had to worry about that!
TIP: If you are painting your walls white, use the same color in different sheens for the trim and walls. For example, I have semi-gloss trim and satin walls, all in Decorator’s White. Everything will coordinate beautifully!
Simply White is in our basement, and it’s a great off-white/cream. I’ll let you in on a secret. I actually chose it for our entire house the first time around, but as soon as the painter put a few stripes on the wall, I knew it was not right. It actually has an LRV of 91, so even brighter than Decorater’s white, but it is very creamy, and in some light situations, looks more yellow. So…I put all those gallons of Simply White in my basement, and when it was time for us to finish that space, that’s the paint we used. I couldn’t bear to waste all the money we spent on it! But I really love it down there, and happy with the way it looks. It’s one to consider if you’re not looking for a bright or true white, but still want something light.
Farmhouse paint…on the wall or as an accent
If you’re not a white wall lover like I am, or you’re looking for something in between, these other colors may be perfect on the walls of your home. Revere Pewter has been a very popular color, and a favorite “greige”. Hale Navy is the perfect navy. I think it would be so adorable in a powder room, or office. If you love white walls like I do, but want to infuse some color into your farmhouse decor, consider using one of these colors as an accent.
Consider an accent wall, or using accent colors throughout your home in different ways. White kitchen with an island painted in Hale Navy? Stunning, and a classic color that’s timeless. It lends contrast, a focal point, and interest in your space. If you adore white walls, you can use these other farmhouse paint colors to add dimension and contrast…like when I’m refinishing and painting furniture pieces.
Looking for light & bright? Dark & dramatic? Check the LRV!
The first thing you want to ask yourself when choosing a wall color is what kind of light you want in the room, and the overall feel. Every paint color is assigned an LRV number, which stands for Light Reflective Value. That value tells you how much light will bounce off of the color and into the room. It’s on a 0-100 scale, with 100 being VERY bright. A lower value will absorb more light, and the room will be darker.
There is no right or wrong—it really just depends on what you want. If you’re looking for a lighter space, aim for higher than 70-75. The higher the number, the brighter the space. For example, in the examples I’ve included below, Decorator’s White has an LRV of 83.6, and Revere Pewter is 55.1. Both are lovely colors, and there’s no right or wrong, but the light aspect is really good to know about as you’re selecting the perfect color for your space.
If you don’t have much natural light, going with a higher LRV will lighten and brighten your space, as well as make it look bigger. It’s one of the biggest reasons I’ve chosen all white walls, even with six kids! (I’ve never regretted it…but people ask me that all the time! When we were building, the painter kept asking me if I was sure. I was.)
Paint-Buying Tips
- Do you love the color, but would rather have it a little lighter? You can! Just ask to lighten it by a certain percentage. This will keep your paint in the same tone.
- Yes, you can color match at another paint store–it doesn’t have to be a Benjamin Moore retailer. However, know ahead of time that even though paint stores carry the color numbers for major paint brands, they can’t be exact. You may end up with something really close, but not just like the original paint. Home Depot does a great job, and that’s where we’ve gone to get paint samples matched. (I use mostly Benjamin Moore, but you also do Sherwin-Williams and other paint brands as well.
- If you can, get a small paint sample of all the colors you’re considering. Paint a small section of each color on the same wall, so you can compare them in all types of light, and get a really good idea of their differences. I actually switched one of the paint colors in my home at the last second, because I was able to see that I didn’t love it as much as I thought I was going to once the sun hit the wall.
- Samplize is another option…you can order peel and stick paint samples that have the same effect as paint on the wall. Check out all of their options!
I know sometimes choosing paint can feel very overwhelming, and there are so many choices. It’s another reason I wanted to share my some favorite farmhouse paint colors, since I’ve been in your shoes! Hopefully some of this info will help you on your way to transforming your space, and infusing farmhouse style into your home.
