When we asked our Experts to share their best warm neutral paint colors, one hue stood out from the rest: Portola Paint’s Patagonia.

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The soft sandy beige Roman clay is a favorite of Jake Arnold, Carol Estes, Austin Carrier, and Alex Mutter-Rottmayer of Hommeboys. “It reads like a slightly warm off-white plaster,” says Carol. “It gives off a really serene atmosphere and almost immerses you into complete desert vibes,” adds Austin.

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These cozy, textured shades are a prime choice for many designers, and for good reason: they offer more depth than a white room (without being too bold) and feel more welcoming than a cool gray. And when paired with other similar tones, they’ll make you feel like you’ve just landed in a sun-filled desert house surrounded by sand dunes at magic hour… And who wouldn’t want that?

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Patagonia wasn’t the only hue our Experts recommended—here are 16 of their best neutral paint color recommendations:

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The Best Dark Neutral Paint Colors

For That Fuzzy Feel

“One of our favorite neutral tones is a play on peach and burnt umber. Farrow and Ball's Faded Terracotta has baked-in softness and warmth that speaks to California's desert shades. We love to immerse our client spaces in deep and rich color while still at times keeping things neutral for everyday living.” —Austin Carrier, Hommeboys Interiors

For That Old World Charm

“I love using Portola’s Piano Room in rooms that require additional warmth—it brings earthiness and a calm feeling that’s timeless and grounding. I typically lean toward darker neutral plasters and this is one of my favorite to-go tones.” —Jake Arnold

For Walls That’ll Make You Blush

“Farrow & Ball’s Dead Salmon: Terrible name, gorgeous earthy mauve greige that will effortlessly melt into the background and elevate your desert-hued scheme.” —Natalie Myers

For Your Historical Home

“Cromwell Gray is a gorgeous neutral from Benjamin Moore’s Historical Palette. It’s a rich neutral light brown that brings depth and a subtle colorful touch. We’ve used it for built-in bookshelves with brass hardware but it’s also stunning on wainscotting in small spaces like powder or laundry rooms. —Laurence Ponslavigne, Blanc Marine Intérieurs

The Best Warm White Paint Colors

For Your Nancy Meyers Goals

“Benjamin Moore’s Elmira White doesn’t show any strong undertones… it reads very neutral. Use it as a wall color when you want a slight contrast to white cabinetry in a kitchen—it warms it up and adds character and charm. Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee is a beautiful pairing.”

—Carol Estes

For a Classic All-White Vibe

“Ashwood from Benjamin Moore is one of our favorite warm white paint colors. It’s a neutral and versatile shade that’s perfectly enhanced by brass accents. We use it on walls and cabinetry to obtain that classic and timeless look.” —Laurence Ponslavigne, Blanc Marine Intérieurs

For a Monochrome Moment

“I’d use Sherwin-Williams’ Alabaster on walls in a matte finish, millwork in satin—even within the same room—to add depth.  This is a great color when you really want a room to have a warm glow.” —Alison Giese

For a Gritty Laid-Back Look

“Sherwin-Williams’ White Sesame is an off-white that feels more relaxed, a little gritty, and less precious. It’s in line with that laid-back and effortless worn patina we are all after.” —Natalie Myers

The Best Greige Paint Colors

For the Marble Lovers

“Portola’’s Parliament is a sandy washed-out beige that has the tiniest drop of purple in it. It pairs well with travertine and viola marble. Use it to add chalky texture to walls in a powder room with a natural stone countertop, or in a living room with a marble coffee table. Layering the movement in the walls and the stone will be epic.” —Natalie Myers, Veneer Designs

For a Plaster Texture (Without the Hassle)

“While some may not immediately see Farrow & Ball’s Slipper Satin as warm, it lends a sophisticated and peaceful air to a space. It works beautifully with natural linen and wood furniture. When applied in the “Dead Flat” finish, walls with a smooth texture will almost look like plaster.” —Carol Estes

For Your Own Personal Gallery

"Washi by Portola is a light and earthy driftwood white Roman clay that’s perfect for those who have art to display because it provides a great neutral backdrop for layering while still bringing in texture and movement. It provides a lovely complement for other pops of color in a space." —Jake Arnold

For Your Surf Shack

“Limewash is such an easy way to drastically change a space. Dune Shack by Portola Paints is an incredible finish against light grays and whites. We are currently doing this finish on the walls and cabinets of a small kitchen for a completely immersive feel.” —Austin Carrier, Hommeboys Interiors

The Best Warm Neutral Paint Colors

For a (Durable) Limewash Finish

“Pure & Original Paints’ Marrakech Wall finish in Old Linen is an amazingly rich color with a  Tadelakt appearance. It’s a matte and textured finish that brings a sophisticated touch and is also mold- and bacteria-resistant. We’ve been using it on bathroom walls, hood ranges, and fireplace mantels. It’s the perfect product to create a moody and warm ambiance in any room.” —Laurence Ponslavigne, Blanc Marine Intérieurs

For Your Dream Pantry

“I love Sherwin-Williams’ Naturel for its old-school khaki feel. It feels sophisticated on trim as an unexpected contrast to lighter walls. I'm naturally drawn to muddy, nuanced colors like this, and I'd love to trick out a butler's pantry top-to-bottom in this color (maybe a high gloss finish!), and use fantastic stone and fixtures to complement.” —Alison Giese

For a Safari Style

“Yorkshire Tan by Benjamin Moore is a warm beige with a gentle touch of green and gray. This is the perfect color to set the mood in a bedroom or a living room and serve as a backdrop to earth tones, natural textiles, and wood furniture.” —Laurence Ponslavigne, Blanc Marine Intérieurs

For Your Secret Nook

“Portola’s Bistrot” is very enveloping in a room that tends to stay cool. I can picture it in a home filled with lighter colors to act as a secret, quiet room.” —Alison Giese

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