Give your home a cozy winter refresh with these expert-recommended hues.
We tend to spend more time indoors during the colder months, which creates the perfect opportunity to give your space a cozy makeover—and to tackle some long overdue home improvement projects. A fresh coat of paint is an easy way to fill your home with an extra dose of warmth and comfort this season.
There are hundreds of winter-inspired paint colors to choose from, so we chatted with color experts to get their best recommendations. “Whether it’s using a cool, crisp white paint for trim or moldings, or creating a deep winter palette, pull inspiration from your surroundings to bring the colors indoors,” says Hannah Yeo, color marketing and development manager at Benjamin Moore. “Winter colors are as sharp as shadows in the snow, or as soft as cashmere blankets—whichever you prefer.”
Whether you’re looking for a bright snowy finish or a cozy warm shade, these are the best winter paint colors for the season, according to design experts.
Related: The Best Dark Paint Colors of 2023, According to Color Experts
February Frost by Glidden
February Frost by Glidden is a muted plum purple that’s as crisp as a winter morning. It has just enough color to pop against white trim and works beautifully with a tonal palette and lots of lush, layered textiles. The light purple is well suited for an overall room color and looks extra sophisticated on walls with decorative molding.
Paint Color: February Frost by Glidden
Kindling by Behr
“Kindling is a deep taupe-gray, perfect for creating a cozy, welcoming environment and promoting relaxation in the home,” says Cara Newhart, interior designer and Behr ambassador. This elegant shade strikes the perfect balance between warm and cool, which makes it a great pick for an overall wall color. “I love this shade for a family room, office built-ins, or a cozy living space with a fireplace,” Newhart says.
Paint Color: Kindling by Behr
Evergreen Fog by Sherwin-Williams
Courtesy of Sherwin-Williams
Take inspiration from a foggy winter landscape and set a calming tone with Evergreen Fog, which happens to be one of Sherwin-Williams’ top 10 best-selling paint colors. It strikes the right balance between a neutral and a color, and the green-gray hue looks especially striking when paired with light woods, matte black metals, and crisp white trim.
Paint Color: Evergreen Fog by Sherwin-Williams
Related: How to Choose Trim Colors That Flawlessly Coordinate with Your Walls
Dark Auburn by HGTV Home by Sherwin-Willliams
Courtesy of HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams
Fill your home with the rich warmth of Dark Auburn, a moody burgundy that’s a perfect choice for the cold winter months. “As the temperatures cool down, we look to surround ourselves with warm tones that wrap us in comfort,” says Ashley Banbury, HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams’ color marketing manager. “This time of the year, we connect with nostalgic colors and this shade embodies tradition and charm.”
Paint Color: Dark Auburn by HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams
First Snow by Behr
For a peaceful hue that illuminates any space, go with Behr’s First Snow. “It’s a powdery white that embodies the crisp, fresh softness of the first snowfall of the year,” Newhart says. It’s bright but not stark, and has just enough warmth to create a welcoming space. She also notes that it’s extremely versatile, and can work in many areas of the home. “I’d use it on trim, ceilings, or to brighten up a room that feels too dark,” she says.
Paint Color: First Snow by Behr
Upward by Sherwin-Williams
Courtesy of Sherwin-Williams
Liven up any room during the cold winter months with Upward, Sherwin-Williams’ 2024 color of the year. “The lightness of this shade brings forward a sense of tranquility and peace, which makes you want to reconnect with the space around you,” says Sue Wadden, director of color marketing at Sherwin-Williams. She describes the shade as a timeless, sunny day color. Use Upward to paint a bathroom vanity, on decorative wall paneling, or as an overall room color that brightens yet soothes at the same time.
Paint Color: Upward by Sherwin-Williams
Related: Every 2024 Color of the Year We Know So Far
Midnight by Benjamin Moore
Courtesy of Benjamin Moore
Elevate any room with Benjamin Moore’s Midnight, an intriguing hue that blends blue, green, and black. “Its complex undertone makes this color magical as the light shifts throughout the day,” Yeo says. She recommends using the color to create a comforting cocoon in a family room this winter, or to paint built-ins in a home office for a customized look, adding, “The depth of Midnight works exceptionally well with rich wood tones and warm neutrals.”
Paint Color: Midnight by Benjamin Moore
Malted Milk by Sherwin-Williams
Courtesy of Sherwin-Williams
Escape the cold by enveloping your home with the warmth of Sherwin-Williams’ Malted Milk. This uplifting neutral has a reddish undertone that reads fresh and modern, yet timeless and classic. Its softness lends itself well to a primary bedroom or bathroom, exuding comfort in a sophisticated way.
Paint Color: Malted Milk by Sherwin-Williams
Related: 12 Calm Bedroom Paint Colors That Will Soothe You to Sleep
Blue Nova by Benjamin Moore
Courtesy of Benjamin Moore
Blue Nova was named Benjamin Moore’s Color of the Year 2024, so it’s a popular pick ahead of the winter season. Yeo describes it as a blend of blue and violet that elevates the everyday. If the dark and dreary days of winter make you long for the richness of saturated color, infuse your home with this adventurous hue. “The depth and contemplative quality of Blue Nova makes it a great fit for a study or home office,” Yeo says. “That said, this color is flexible enough to be an excellent choice for a bedroom or living room, and even a ceiling would be amazing in this color.”
Paint Color: Blue Nova by Benjamin Moore
Related: The 12 Best-Selling Benjamin Moore Paint Colors of All Time
Icicle by HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams
Courtesy of HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams
“Icicle is a perfect winter shade to brighten up a room during the depths of winter,” Banbury says. If a bedroom makeover is on your winter to-do list and you love the clean, crisp look that a white paint color gives but want a hint of contrasting color, Icicle is a beautiful option. “This quiet neutral with a blue undertone brings a calming, minimalistic atmosphere to a room,” she says.
Paint Color: Icicle by HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams
Homey Cream by Valspar
Homey Cream is a classic and familiar shade that ushers in the warmth and brightness we all crave in the dead of winter. The light, creamy yellow is cozy and comforting. “The brightness of Homey Cream envelops a space with joy and positive energy during the winter season,” says Sue Kim, Valspar’s director of color marketing.
Paint Color: Homey Cream by Valspar
Blackberry by Glidden
A deep shade like Glidden’s Blackberry is the ultimate way to create a cozy space. Use the mysterious hue as an all-over wall color and if there are built-in shelves in the room, continue the color for a truly immersive space and a sophisticated design. To lighten up the space, pair Blackberry with light woods, layered textures, and live greenery.
Paint Color: Blackberry by Glidden
Related: 31 Built-In Bookshelf Ideas for Every Room in Your Home
Winter Lake by Benjamin Moore
Courtesy of Benjamin Moore
Set a soothing tone with Winter Lake, a mid-tone blue with a strong dose of gray that creates a sense of calm. The cool winter hue is incredibly versatile and works just as well on kitchen cabinets as it does on a ceiling, an accent wall, or an all-over wall color. Yeo suggests pairing this easy-to-work with shade with a creamy off-white for a classic look, or a rich jewel tone such as Shadow for a moody vibe.
Paint Color: Winter Lake by Benjamin Moore
Related: 9 Blue-Gray Paint Colors the Experts Swear By
Winter in Paris by Valspar
Refresh your home with Valspar’s Winter in Paris, which Kim describes as a cool gray-blue whose touch of green makes it inviting for the cool season. “The delicate, refreshing blue helps add a breathable mood in small spaces and is the perfect backdrop for indoor plants and seasonal decor,” she says.
Paint Color: Winter in Paris by Valspar
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