8 Ways to Bring the Outdoors In Using Paint Color
8 Ways to Bring the Outdoors In Using Paint Color
Healing and healthy, nature is a commanding force. By bringing hues from the great outdoors into your home, you’ll enjoy the restorative effects of fresh air, blue sky, and life-giving natural energy.
Our palette of six nature-inspired paint colors, curated by our experts, provide a sound starting point for bringing the beauty of the outdoors, inside.Bring Outdoor Elements In with Color
From buttery yellow and soft blue-gray to rustic, saturated browns, this palette breathes the energy of the great outdoors into any space.
Get expert advice on how to take color cues from nature.
Embrace Outdoor Elements Indoors
Earth, water, fire and air: Sharon Grech, Benjamin Moore Color & Design Expert, discusses the classical elements of nature and using them as design influences in your home.A self-described “nature girl,” Sharon shares outdoor-inspired design tips on Cityline, a popular Canadian daytime lifestyle show.
Natural Materials, Natural Hues, Natural Lighting
An exposed brick wall, forged metal, stone fireplaces, wooden floors and lush hanging plants: nature’s bounty is endless.Use gradations from natural elements—think neutral tones, greiges and taupes—that are already in your home, then choose light, medium and dark paint tones to add depth and dimension.
Natural light impacts paint color in beautiful, intriguing ways. Be sure to brush on a paint sample or use moveable peel & stick samples to see color in different streams of light before you buy and apply.
Make Any Room a Sunroom
Bring sunny warmth in with pale and mid-tone yellow hues that enhance your room’s light. Our favorites include- Pale Moon OC-108, a classic soft yellow
- Beacon Hill Damask HC-2, a sunny yellow from our popular Historical Collection
- Chestertown Buff HC-9, an earthy honey
Use sheen/finish to highlight your golden hues. Choose an eggshell sheen or higher (think pearl/satin, semi-gloss or high-gloss) so that natural light organically bounces around your space. If you prefer a less reflective effect, a flat matte finish might be best for you.
Highlight Outdoor Views with Colorful Window Trim
A well-placed window is a dynamic piece of art, showcasing seasonal changes in outdoor color and texture every day.To accentuate a beautiful window view, consider:
- Painting window trim in a darker shade than your wall. Here, rich and sumptuous Hale Navy HC-154-painted mullion emanates out to light Smoke 2122-40 outer window trim. Against white walls, the result is a colorful lens through which to view the natural world.
- Painting trim in a lighter paint color against deeper-hued walls is another winning approach. Bright, crisp white-painted trim pops against deep hues, drawing the eye outward.
White Paint Colors as a Base for Natural Décor
White painted walls enhance spaces while providing the perfect canvas for natural décor. Err on the warmer side of white hues such as Mannequin Cream OC-92, Timid White OC-39 or Simply White OC-117, a former Benjamin Moore Color of the Year.Rattan, wicker, cane, sisal and sea grass bring tactility, warmth, and nature’s vitality to any space, especially when enveloped by white hues to create a cocoon-like vibe.
Watery Hues Elevate Earth Tone Colors
Water, another of nature’s classical elements, beautifully balances warm, natural colors and delivers cool, refreshing vibes.Colors and materials that echo surf and sand create calming spaces that welcome and comfort. Consider these classic blue-meets-beach color pairings:
- Mineral Springs CC-848 on walls with Acadia White OC-38 on trim
- Tranquil Blue 2051-50 on walls with White Sand OC-10 on trim
- Paradiso 717 on walls with Fossil AF-65 on trim
Ground Your Space with Dark, Earthy Hues
Darker-hued walls—think dark browns, grays and black hues—allow natural elements like plants and fresh flowers to pop.If all-dark walls are too much for you, try deep, earthy tones on accent walls or on the lower portion of a room, with wainscoting or “feign-scoting.”
Here, lower cabinetry in a deep brown-green works to give this boho kitchen space an earthy, homey energy. Favorite deep hues we love include:
Integrate Indoor and Outdoor Spaces Using Paint Color
Natural materials and finishes blend interiors seamlessly with the outdoors. Here, Guilford Green, a former Color of the Year from our color palette above, is a perfect gentle green thanks to warm undertones that align effortlessly with the natural wood in this contemporary bathroom.Green hues deliver soothing, natural vibes. Consider the following greens for a nature-kissed bathroom:
- Van Alen Green HC-120, a refreshing pastel
- Italian Ice Green 2035-70, a light green with blue undertones
- Soft Fern 2144-40, a favorite muted green for bathrooms
Color Samples
Buy one or more color samples to help finalize your choice of color—and ensure peace of mind.
