Every Country House Needs This One Color
For the last decade, the predominant country aesthetic has been largely defined by white shiplap and nubby neutrals. No longer! From old-house-friendly hues to a more vibrant take on vintage, here are 14 ways to seek out a little more shade.
P.S. If you’re shopping for the best paint colors for your home, the search is over! From reds and yellows to blacks and browns, our list of the top 100 paint colors of all time has you covered.
1. Look to the Landscape
“Your home’s surroundings—what your land looks like, whether you’re by the water versus surrounded by a lot of greenery—provide good directional cues to inspire your color palette,” says Nicole Gibbons, founder of paint company Clare. Case in point: This Arkansas family room by designer Heather Chadduck Hillegas, which feels like an extension of the landscape. “I created a cocoon-like feel—enveloping a whole room with one color, like this rich green, can have such a cozy, immersive effect,” says Heather. Brown velvet furniture, woven shades, and a natural fiber rug reinforce the aesthetic.
RELATED: Liven Up Any Room with These Green Paint Colors
2. Get Muddy
Historically, paints were made from pigments and raw materials such as clay or sand, which lent them an earthiness that feels more at home in a country house—older homes, in particular. “Muddy tones—think olive greens, deep chocolates, plummy aubergines—reflect the countryside and bring the outdoors back in,” says New York-based designer Ariel Okin.
RELATED: These Dreamy Blue-Gray Paint Colors Work in Any Room
3. Ground Your Space with Warm Wood
Think of it this way: In a room full of exclamation points, sometimes it’s good to swap in a period—something more understated to help balance the energy. “Brown furniture is the anchor of a space—every room needs it for contrast, clarity, and sturdiness,” says designer Ariel Okin.
A pine chest tucked between two twin beds lends gravitas to this bedroom of Welsh actress Danielle Bux.
4. Add Whimsy with Wallcoverings
You don’t have to look far for proof that wallpaper feels right at home in a country house. To get started, turn to these four Ps: Pastorals (Wallcoverings that depict bucolic scenes are a no-brainer choice to evoke country charm.); Petals (Florals can range from ditsy to block-printed to unabashedly bold. To temper the sweetness, consider a monochromatic palette (think two intensities of the same colorway) or something more leafy.) Plaids (From dapper tartans to preppy plaids to classic checks, these traditionally masculine motifs evoke the refinement of English hunt clubs.); and Patchwork (Geometric quilt motifs can run the gamut from traditional to more modern-leaning.) Tip: The more traditional the motif, the bolder you can dare to go with the color.
RELATED: 30 Beautiful Ways to Decorate Your Kitchen With Wallpaper
5. Consider the “Unexpected Red” Theory
This idea, which recently took hold on TikTok, argues that every room can benefit from an unexpected pop of red, be it a solid lampshade or quirky object. The irreverence of not matching helps a space exude a certain sure-of-itselfness.
6. Don’t Forget the Floors
Painted floors are an economical way to infuse a room with color—particularly when you prefer to do white on the walls. You can go with a solid color, which can be high-impact, but nothing brings the charm quite like checks. Here, designer Mary Graham of U.K.-based design firm Salvesen Graham painted the floors of her home in the English countryside in a crisp green-and-white combo. “I love the way it provides such a great burst of color, whilst still allowing the overall feeling to be one of airiness,” she says. For maximum durability, consider using a floor-friendly formula such as Benjamin Moore’s Floor & Patio line, or give them a topcoat of Rust-Oleum Parks Pro Finisher in Crystal Clear.
RELATED: 25+Brilliant Painted Floors Ideas That’ll Add Instant Charm
6. Go Vibrant with Vintage
“Bringing colors in through objects helps a room feel layered and built up over time,” says Nicole Salvesen of Salvesen Graham. With so many collectibles available in a range of colorways,—Fiesta, Pyrex, enamelware, depression glass, and Cornishware just to name a few—it’s easy to do that in a kitchen.
RELATED: From vintage kitchenware to preppy sweaters, these creative collections will inspire you to go on the hunt.
7. Mind Your Millwork
“Dial up the wood walls, because wood is a key player in bringing the charm,” says Birmingham, Alabama-based designer Fran Keenan. “Wainscoting, beadboard, V-groove, butt joint—all are a game changer, especially in new construction. The wood texture receives pigment so much more authentically than standard drywall.”
RELATED: The Best Blue Paint Colors for Every Room in Your Home
9. Show Off Those Spines
What is a country house without books outfitting a library or stacked on the nightstand? Penguin paperbacks, The Observer’s Books, Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys novels, Junior Deluxe Editions, and those famous yellow National Geographics are a few of our favorite series that just so happen to pack a visual punch.
Nothing evokes nostalgia quite like the iconic yellow and blue spines of our favorite teenage sleuth novels.
10. Consider the Colonists
“Colors used in the Colonial era were so beautiful and they stand the test of time,” says Erick Espinoza, creative director of New York design firm Anthony Baratta. In this smartly appointed bedroom, designer Heather Chadduck Hillegas, who recently spent two years as Colonial Williamsburg’s Designer in Residence, selected this rich green from the Williamsburg Color Collection by Benjamin Moore. “It’s a favorite green often found in historic homes and the perfect candidate for this space,” says Heather, who used varying sheens for the plaster and millwork. For more period-appropriate choices, you can also search colors by era at Sherwin-Williams, including Colonial Revival, Victorian, and Arts & Crafts.
11. Rethink Your “Neutrals”
Darker shades can prove just as versatile as beige, and brown, in particular, is having a moment. “There’s something about a brown paint that feels so rich, so luxurious,” says Nicole Gibbons, founder of Clare Paint who also notes the company has recently seen a significant jump in sales of brown paint.
RELATED: The Best Brown Paint Colors To Cozy Up Any Room
12. Shake Things Up
Despite their reputation for restraint, the Shakers enthusiastically embraced color, using their handmade paints of natural pigments mixed with linseed oil. Color usage across the 19 Shaker communities that stretched from Maine to Florida was regulated by the Millennial Laws—their guidelines for everyday life. For example, in 1845 it was proclaimed that all beds should be painted green. Yellow ochre was the preference for painted floors. “By looking toward the Shakers and their traditions, it was common to see their trims painted in brighter shades of red, yellow, green, or blue, as this would allow their millwork, which was simpler in nature, to take on more of a dramatic role in their homes. These colors, while brighter than other tones in their palette, are still slightly subdued in nature so as not to distract from the wall colors or furnishings, but instead complement both elements,” says Heidi Hendricks and Rafe Churchill of architecture and interior design studio Hendricks Churchill.
Earthy and timeworn, this ochre color on the floor grounds this airy dining room with ease when paired with equally warm wood furniture.
13. Embrace the Three Ts
That would be Toile, Ticking, and Tartan. When the fabric motif is classically country, it will feel at home in a country setting, even if the color is a little unexpected. (“There’s something classic and comforting about tried and true patterns in a country house: a pretty pastoral scene; a sturdy, reliable ticking stripe; a robust plaid or tartan. These patterns can also stand the test of time and blend easily with both accent fabrics and solids alike.”)
14. Layer on the Textiles
A blanket or throw is a low-commitment way to bring color to a space, as showcased in this bedroom of textile designer Cathy Nordström (cathynordstrom.com). “Beautiful handmade quilts are a great way to introduce deep saturated color in playful and unexpected combinations,” says Portland, Oregon-based designer Jessica Helgerson. “And they’re so easy to change out with the moods and seasons.” In addition to quilts, check out Welsh blankets, beacon blankets, tartan throws, vibrant suzanis, and more. (For great sources for antique textiles, visit countryliving.com/antiques.)
Rachel Barrett is the Editor-in-Chief of Country Living. She can’t pass up a vintage seascape, drives an ’89 Woody Wagoneer (that is, when it’ll start), and hopes to buy you a lemonade at a future Country Living Fair.
Anna Logan is the Senior Homes & Style Editor at Country Living, where she covers design and decorating trends, home features, and gift guides. She also produces home features and styles content for the print magazine. When she isn’t working, can often be found digging around antique shops for the perfect find. Follow her adventures on Instagram!
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