8 Mood-Boosting Paint Colors to Use Around Your Home, According to Designers

A fresh coat of paint can completely transform the look and even the purpose of a room. If you can bring more joy into your space with such a simple change, why not put your paint roller to good use? There are plenty of colors that can brighten up a room, from cheerful marigolds to vibrant greens.

Ready to refresh your room? We consulted three interior designers for their favorite mood-enhancing colors and tips on how to use them in different spaces.

Forest Green

Bring the fresh, lush vibe of the outdoors inside with a rich forest green.

“Green is a great, gender-neutral, soothing, and mood-boosting color for any home,” says interior designer Amber Guyton. “My favorite green right now is Hunt Club by Sherwin-Williams, which I just used in a client's basement. It’s relaxing and just the right amount of color.”

Guyton also suggests using this nature-inspired hue for an office, primary suite, or the exterior of your home.

Butter Yellow

Sweet and creamy, butter yellow is a gorgeous way to refresh a room without overwhelming it with color.

“Much like the sun, yellow has the ability to invigorate and elevate moods,” says Phillip Thomas, founder and principal designer of Phillip Thomas Inc. “I often choose intense yellows for living rooms in my client’s homes.”

One of Thomas’s current favorites is Benjamin Moore’s Dalila, with Squash Blossom by Behr being another staple.

“I’d instantly use Squash Blossom for a front door, playroom, or kitchen cabinetry,” suggests Guyton. “It’s hard to miss and its energy is contagious.”

Coral

Combining the warm hues of pink, orange, and red, coral is a perfect remedy for a dull space. For Shauna Jones, founder of Shauna Glenn Design, Coral Reef by Sherwin-Williams does the trick. She especially loves it for transforming small spaces into joy-inducing nooks.

“The laundry room in this mid-century home got a serious mood boost with these glossy coral cabinets,” Jones shares. “We love it paired with lime green tile and a vintage-styled refrigerator for a Palm Springs retro look.”

Sky Blue

Blue is another easy, breezy way to bring the outdoors in.

“It's calming, reminiscent of nature, and offers a range of options from sky and aqua to cobalt and navy,” says Guyton.

The designer particularly enjoys Thunderbird by Benjamin Moore.

“It’s a gorgeous blue with a hint of green that will instantly make you think you’re at the beach,” she says. “Thunderbird is great for a living room, breakfast nook, or guest bedroom.”

Magenta

Pink is one of Thomas’s go-to colors for interiors. A berry tone—like raspberry or magenta—can truly change the feel of a space.

“Pink is a color that embraces you,” says Thomas. “An intense pink immediately elevates the mood; its strong energy is infectious.”

Thomas used Benjamin Moore’s Aniline Red to swathe a library, achieving this very effect.

“As an avid reader, my client wanted a space that reflected the excitement they feel when diving into a good book,” he explains.

Lavender

Soft and floral, lavender beautifies a space without shocking the senses. Jones likes Kismet by Sherwin-Williams—an ethereal hue that stays true to its name.

“This lovely lavender shade is the perfect choice for a color-saturated bedroom,” Jones says. “We painted the ceiling, trim, and bed the same color to create a space where you can’t help but be in a good mood.”

Lime Green

Not afraid of a vibrant hue? Lime is a brighter take on green that makes a statement.

“A strong, acidic green can energize and inspire,” says Thomas. “It’s as if there’s an energy emanating from this type of green that immediately affects people using those spaces.”

Thomas used Eccentric Lime by Benjamin Moore to inject a shot of energy into one of his client's living rooms.

Bubblegum Pink

Playful and sure to bring a pop, bubblegum pink instantly wakes up a room. Jones recommends Irresistible by Sherwin-Williams for a rosy, romantic option.

“We used this bubblegum pink in a laundry room because if you ever need a mood boost, it’s when you’re doing laundry,” Jones notes. “It’s fun and happy without being too juvenile, and we love it paired with the black and white tile.”