Never underestimate the power of paint—a fresh coat goes a long way toward reframing a space without the time or commitment of a remodel. But choosing a color palette for walls, ceilings, and trim is easier said than done.
For advice, we asked architectural and interior designer Katie Hackworth to share some tips for creating a cohesive palette. She provided us with three no-fail color schemes to try at home: a neutral palette of off-whites, a “can’t-go-wrong” classic palette, and an on-trend palette featuring Remodelista’s Color of the Year 2018, mignonette green.
Photography by Leslie Santarina for Remodelista.
![paint palette mixing sticks](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/paint-palette-mixing-sticks-733x489.jpg)
Off-Whites
![for the palette of off whites, katie chose (from left) behr\2\17;s 19](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/neutral-paint-palette-brushes-733x489.jpg)
To create her suite of off-whites, says Katie, “I kept the ceilings clean and calm and added a touch of warmth to the walls.”
![katie paired the ceiling and walls with millwork in \2\20;muted, putty t 20](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/neutral-palette-mixing-sticks-733x489.jpg)
Classic Neutrals
![katie\2\17;s classic palette features (from top) behr\2\17;s varn 21](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/classic-paint-palette-brushes-733x489.jpg)
For a classic palette that still makes a statement, Katie chose a dramatic charcoal in a high-gloss finish to accentuate the millwork. White tones for the walls and ceiling “quietly complement the bold statement,” she says.
![\2\20;there are no hard rules to painting millwork,\2\2\1; katie 22](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/classic-palette-mixing-sticks-733x489.jpg)
If you’re wary of painting your millwork in a dark shade, try painting just the window sashes instead: “It’s the perfect way to make a statement without getting out of your comfort zone,” Katie says.
On-Trend
![the designer created an of the moment palette featuring remodelista\2\17 23](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/mignonette-green-paint-palette-brushes-733x489.jpg)
“When making a bold statement like this as your wall color,” Katie says, “I would suggest anchoring it with a deep and rich tone” on the molding (Behr’s almost-black Black Evergreen).
![think beyond millwork for the dark green, says katie: \2\20;it would mak 24](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/mignonette-green-palette-mixing-sticks-733x489.jpg)
For more paint color ideas, see our posts:
- 10 Paint Colors with Cult Followings: Architects’ All-Time Favorite Paint Picks
- Remodeling 101: 6 Kitchen Cabinets Transformed with Paint
- Architects’ 12 Favorite Blue Paints for Kitchen Cabinets (or Anywhere in the House)
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