A room is only as good as how you feel in it (or we think so, anyway). For a wall color that makes you look and feel great, start with these hues, recommended by interior designers.
1. Oval Room Blue 85 from Farrow & Ball. “Blue is one of those colors that just happens to flatter every skin tone, from ivory to dark as pumpernickel. I don’t know why—is it because it’s so prevalent in nature? Studies have shown that blue also helps your ability to focus. It’s a calming color, which is why I used it in my living room. This particular shade has a little gray in it, which makes it even more soothing.” — Sheila Bridges
2. Pale Powder 204 from Farrow & Ball. “Like a true blonde—and those who want to be one—this pale blue-green is complex and enchanting. Throughout the day, it changes from robin’s-egg blue to gray-green, radiating a subtle glow that makes both people and furnishings look like the best versions of themselves. Pair it with moss-green velvet upholstery, modern art, and black-lacquer chinoiserie.” — Sarah Bartholomew
3. Temp Star SW from Sherwin-Williams. “Somber yet striking, dusty teals are in vogue right now, both in fashion and home. And they’re a great complement to anyone with pale skin and auburn hair. In an eggshell finish, they look calm and serene but can turn dramatic in high gloss. Add warm woods and rich caramel velvet. A touch of white helps keep the look crisp and smart.” — Stacey Testa
4. Gulf Stream 670 from Benjamin Moore. “You know how great everyone looks in the Caribbean? Just bring that sunlit water into a room with this luscious aqua. It’s one of those colors that can swing so many ways. Make it classic with white trim and mahogany furniture, or pop some yellow or purple against it and go modern and sassy. It makes me feel so good that I don’t even bother with makeup.” — Alexa Stevenson
5. Deep Forest Pine 30GG 09/106 from Glidden. “I’m just back from Paris, and this green was everywhere—on people in the street, on the accessories and furniture in the antiques shops on the Rue Jacob, and even at the flea market. Imagine how great it would look in a dining room. It would really set off a face, as well as a painting. Do it in lacquer for a beautiful sheen.” — Suzanne Kasler
6. Antiguan Sky 2040-60 from Benjamin Moore. “Aqua is a calming color, which balances a fiery red-head like myself and makes for a pretty room. Actually, most people look good in aqua, and when you look good, you feel more confident. I often like to use a range of one color, so I might add a darker teal or Prussian blue. Red or pink would punch it up and give it more pizzazz.” — Lindsey Coral Harper
7. Coral Glow 026 from Benjamin Moore. “Warm tones are kind to everyone, but the pink family can be tricky. You don’t want your room to end up looking like Barbie’s Dream-house. This complex shade of coral hits all the right notes. It’s chic, cozy, and incredibly flattering—perfect for this master bedroom.” — Suzanne Tucker
8. Dance of the Goddesses 23-1A from Valspar. “You know how beautiful a pearl necklace looks against skin? Maybe that’s why this appeals to me. It’s the softest, most luminous pearl with just the slightest hint of pink. Paired with silver hardware, cream trim, and Thassos marble, it would make the most elegant dressing room. Add slate or navy to intensify the effect with some contrast and drama.” — Lichten Craig
9. Warm Blush 892 from Benjamin Moore. “You might think pink is only for a nursery or a bedroom, but this sophisticated pale pink would be stunning in a living or dining room. I like the fact that it’s unexpected. It feels soft and romantic, and it would be intriguing accented with strong colors like charcoal gray, black, orange, or red.” — Ginger Brewton
10. Dragon Fruit SW 6855 from Sherwin-Williams. “Everyone knows that pink is flattering, and as a brunette with a perpetual suntan, I’m drawn to bold, saturated pinks. I used this color in a guest bedroom—after all, every host wants her guests to feel good about themselves — with grass greens, light pink–and-white fabrics, and a beige wall-to-wall carpet. When the wife walked in, she said, ‘I wish this were our room.'” — Elizabeth Pyne
11. Calamine 230 from Farrow & Ball. “While watching the Academy Awards, I was struck by how beautiful the starlets looked in pink. They simply glowed! What better color to surround yourself with in your bathroom? Simply fill the tub and feel pretty, calm, and soothed. No plastic surgery needed here…just a glass of pink Champagne! Cheers!” — Melanie Turner
12. Yam SW 6643 from Sherwin-Williams. “Most people think of peach as the most flattering color, but I like something with more guts. This bright burnt orange would make anyone look radiant. It would be gorgeous in a powder room or a dining room with gold, gray, or even navy. But here’s the real secret—there are no rules. Just pick whatever color you like, and that will make you feel good and look wonderful.” — Geoffrey De Sousa
