Paint Colors That Go with Natural Wood

Natural wood has this enduring charm and warmth that can make any room feel cozy and inviting. When it comes to choosing paint colors to complement it, the process can be overwhelming due to the wide array of options available. To create a harmonious living space, it is vital to consider the wood’s undertones, grain patterns, and the desired atmosphere for the room.

Interior designers offer a wealth of knowledge in selecting the perfect paint colors to accentuate the beauty of natural wood. Taking into account the wood’s specific characteristics, they suggest working with neutral, earthy tones or contrasting cool shades to ensure a cohesive and aesthetically pleasing design.

This article delves deeper into how to identify and choose the ideal paint colors that amplify the natural allure of wood, creating a timeless and comfortable living environment.

Understanding Natural Wood Tones

When choosing paint colors for a space featuring natural wood, it’s essential to recognize and appreciate the beauty and variety of tones that wood presents. Paying attention to the type of wood, its grain and texture, can help you make informed decisions when selecting the complementary colors.

Identifying Natural Wood Types

Natural woods come in a wide range of colors and tones, each with its distinct qualities. Some of the most common natural woods include:

• Ash: Light cream color with a subtle grain pattern
• Mahogany: Rich red-brown hue with a straight and uniform grain
• Oak: A warm golden tone featuring a distinctive and prominent grain
• Pine: Pale yellow and often characterized by its knots and swirling grain
• Walnut: A deep chocolate brown with a generally straight grain
• Cherry: Reddish-brown color that darkens with age and has a fine, wavy grain pattern

Considering the type of natural wood in your space can help you determine the best paint colors to match. Interior designers often recommend balancing a room’s elements by contrasting warm and cool colors or mixing lighter and darker shades.

The Role of Wood Grain and Texture

Apart from the color and type of wood, another essential factor to consider is the grain and texture of the natural wood used in your space. These characteristics can greatly influence the overall look and feel of the room, so it’s crucial to select paint colors that highlight and enhance these features. For instance, coarser and more prominent grains, such as those found in oak, can lend a rustic charm, whereas the tight and wavy patterns of cherry wood offer a more refined and polished appearance.

In a room with hardwood floors or natural wood trim, choose paint colors that complement the wood’s natural tones and textures rather than compete with them. For example, if you have oak hardwood floors, select a paint color with a subtle undertone that echoes the warm golden hues of the wood. If there’s natural wood trim, consider using lighter or neutral paint shades that will accentuate the trim by allowing it to stand out against the wall color.

Selecting the Right Paint Colors

Selecting the right paint colors is essential when working with natural wood. This section will guide you through the process of choosing colors that will enhance the beauty of the wood while creating a harmonious and visually pleasing space.

Warm and Neutral Colors

Warm and neutral colors are ideal for complementing the natural tones of wood. These colors can create a cozy and inviting atmosphere in any room. Some popular warm and neutral colors to consider include:

• Beige
• Tan
• Creamy white
• Ivory
• Greige
• Taupe
• Warm white

Interior designers often recommend using these colors, as they work well with various wood tones and types. Warm and neutral colors are versatile and are great for pairing with darker or lighter wood finishes.

Cool and Complementary Colors

Cool and complementary colors can provide contrast and create a balanced overall look. These colors can help to bring out the rich textures and natural undertones of wood elements in your space. Some cool and complementary colors to try include:

• Light blue
• Turquoise
• Green
• Gray
• Charcoal
• Navy
• Cool white

Using these cool shades can help to emphasize the natural warmth of the wood and create a visually appealing contrast. When choosing cool and complementary colors, make sure they do not overpower the wood elements in your space.

When selecting paint colors for trim, consider using warm white, blacks or grays. These colors will make your wood features stand out and create a cohesive look. For a more striking contrast, you can choose bold colors like red, yellow or rust. Consult with an interior designer to help you choose the best color combinations for your specific space.

Popular Paint Brands and Shades

Selecting the perfect paint color to complement natural wood can be overwhelming, but you can rely on advice from interior designers and popular paint brands to make the right choice.

Benjamin Moore Recommendations

Benjamin Moore is a respected paint brand with a wide range of colors that work harmoniously with natural wood. Some popular shades include:

• Revere Pewter – a warm, light gray that balances wood tones
• Edgecomb Gray – a soft, neutral beige-gray with warm undertones
• White Dove – a versatile off-white that complements a variety of wood shades

According to interior designers, these colors create a warm, inviting atmosphere that enhances the beauty of natural wood.

Sherwin-Williams Suggestions

Sherwin-Williams offers several paint options to complement wood tones. Their top suggestions are:

• Agreable Gray – a warm, soft gray that pairs nicely with wood finishes
• Natural Choice – a creamy, warm off-white
• Sea Salt – a muted green hue with gray undertones that add contrast

These top shades from Sherwin-Williams bring out the best in your wood features without overwhelming your space.

Farrow & Ball Favorites

Farrow & Ball, known for its high-quality, eco-friendly paints, has a few key colors that work exceptionally well with natural wood:

• Amenity Green – a subtle green shade that complements rich wood tones
• Cuttlefish – a calming, light gray that pairs well with both light and dark wood
• Elephant’s Breath – a warm beige-gray with a slight hint of green, ideal for a cozy atmosphere

These Farrow & Ball favorites help elevate the natural beauty of wooden elements in your interiors.

Valspar Options

Valspar offers paint colors that complement and harmonize with natural wood features. Interior designers often recommend:

• Cashmere Pink – a soothing, warm blush pink that contrasts beautifully with wood
• Gravity – a subtle, cool gray that emphasizes the warmth of wood tones
• Bonsai – a soft, muted green that supports a natural, organic environment

These Valspar options provide excellent choices for showcasing the beauty and warmth of natural wood in your space.

Pairing Paint Colors with Natural Wood Elements

Choosing the right paint colors to complement natural wood elements in your home can create a warm and inviting atmosphere. Whether you’re working with wood floors, trim, or cabinets, finding the perfect paint color combination can make your space come alive. Consider these tips from an interior designer to achieve a harmonious balance between paint colors and natural wood.

Wood Floors and Wall Paint

When selecting wall colors to complement wood floors, it’s essential to focus on the undertones of the wood. Hardwood floors tend to have either warm or cool undertones, and selecting a paint color that matches these undertones can create a visually appealing contrast.

For warm-toned woods such as cherry or mahogany, consider using colors like:

• Warm, muted greens
• Soft, earthy browns
• Rustic oranges or terracotta

For hardwood floors with cool undertones like maple or ash, suitable paint colors include:

• Lighter blues or grays
• Pale yellows
• Cool-toned neutrals, such as taupe or light beige

Wood Trim and Wall Colors

Accentuating the natural beauty of wood trim can be accomplished by selecting appropriate wall colors. Lighter wall colors, paired with dark wood trim, can create a striking contrast, while darker colors can create a more cohesive and sophisticated look.

Here are some suggestions for pairings with common wood trim types:

• Pine trim: Soft greens or blues
• Oak trim: Warm neutrals or shades of beige
• Walnut trim: Deep blues or warm grays

Cabinet and Countertop Combinations

The relationship between cabinets and countertops is an essential consideration in a kitchen design. When working with natural wood cabinets, it’s important to choose a countertop color that complements the wood’s tone and creates visual interest.

For light wood cabinets, selecting darker countertops can provide an appealing contrast, such as:

• Black granite or slate
• Dark quartz
• Bold, veined marble

On the other hand, dark wood cabinets pair well with lighter countertops like:

• White or light gray marble
• Soft beige or cream-colored quartz
• Pale or milky granite

The key is to find harmony between the wood elements and paint colors throughout your home, allowing the natural beauty of the wood to shine while creating an inviting and cohesive atmosphere.