Pitch Cobalt

In the kitchen designed by Gina Gutierrez, the window trim and kitchen island are both brushed with a deep shade of navy, Pitch Cobalt by Valspar. When used in small, strategic doses in a room filled with natural light, the moody hue lends contrast and depth without darkening the room at all. To connect the living room and dining room, the stair banister in the dining room also got a coat of the color. If you want to work darker shades into your home but aren’t sure how, follow Gina’s lead and use them in conjunction with brighter hues. “In this kitchen, the navy helped ground the brighter, coastal colors,” she says.

Peach Champagne

No sure what paint color to pick? Let art serve as inspiration. In the guest bedroom, designer Erin Wheeler of Sunny Circle Studio let the art above the bed guide the color palette of the space. The walls got a coat of Peach Champagne, while the closet doors were brushed with Sweet Marmalade. Letting a piece of art decide the paint choices in the room takes the guesswork out of color matching—the artist has already done all the work for you.

Flora

In the primary bedroom designed by Clara Jung of Banner Day Interiors, the closet gets its own sense of style thanks to a coat of on-trend green paint, Flora by Valspar. When applied to the shelves, trim, and even the closet rod, this complex olive green hue ties the space together, giving the impression of a custom closet.

Fresh Basin

For the kids’ bunk room, designer Kelly Finley of Joy Street Design painted a shade of aqua on the bed frames and built-ins. Vibrant and cheery, Fresh Basin brightens a room with very little natural light. When matched with its complementary color, a warm orange, the pairing is fun and playful—ideal for a kids’ hangout space.

Green Trellis

To make the most of an unused space in the house, Senior Home Editor Leslie Corona set up a charming nook—complete with a comfy chair and floor lamp—for reading or working from home. The sage green accent wall (Green Trellis by Valspar) adorned with black and white photo prints lends visual interest, proving that every spot in your home is an opportunity for good design.