10+ Perfect Paint Colors for a Summer Home Refresh
These designer-approved trends are great for a quick update or total makeover.
Considering that summer is right around the corner, it's time to start thinking about your home refresh. Of course, you might have tasty recipes and warm-weather outfits on your mind, but it's worth carving out time to give your home an easy makeover. See this list of 10+ cheerful paint colors that are perfect for the summer season. From inspiring shades for home offices to calming hues for living rooms, these designer-approved summer colors are worth a try if you're ready to get in the mood for the upcoming season.
Vibrant Green
"Nothing denotes the vibrancy of summer like a fresh vibrant shade of green. The deep saturation of this lush emerald green harkens to the outdoors in any environment: Lush fields, tropical trees, flowering forests. The key to evoking the energy and vitality of summer is to be brave and choose a bold hue." — Emilie Munroe, Studio Munroe
Peachy-Pink
"We are loving First Light by Benjamin Moore—a little bit pink, a little bit peach—for its youthful, happy feel. Use it in a teen room, a powder room, or really anywhere you want to create a fun space." — Kristen Peña, K Interiors
Bright Red
"Bright red is one of my favorite colors to use this summer. A bright splash of red, even in the smallest form, can make a big statement. It is an energetic, fun and stylish color that will add a lot of impact to any space." — Alexander Doherty, Alexander Doherty Design
Soft Blue
"Nothing makes a space feel more relaxing than a soft blue. It creates a sense of calm and gives the room a serene feel that works great with that summer sunlight streaming in. We especially love to use this color in bedrooms because of its way of changing with the light. We especially love this tone, New Hope Gray by Benjamin Moore in a matte finish. " — Shelly Lynch-Sparks, Hyphen & Co.
Saturated Blue
"I LOVE a bright saturated blue in the summer, it has such a wonderfully cool vibe. To make the blue in this entry hall even more vibrant, I chose a semi-gloss finish which really allows the light to play off of it. This blue reminds me of the beach umbrellas in Cannes." — Amy Sklar, Amy Sklar Design
Neutrals
"Benjamin Moore's Sag Harbor Gray has become a new staple in our color library for summer. We used it recently for all the trim, doors, and cabinetry in my home in Connecticut. I love that it's a historical color but becomes modern when combined with crisp white walls and dark floors. The color also transforms with different lighting. It can appear khaki, gray, and even green in the right light." — Kevin Dumais, Dumais
Melon
"I love this cantaloupe color, Persian Melon by Benjamin Moore, because it reminds me of a melon everyone enjoys so much in the summer—it always looks fresh!" — Jan Showers, Jan Showers & Associates
Pewter
"One of my go-to paint colors is Revere Pewter by Benjamin Moore. It looks great in just about any space and has the perfect amount of warmth in it, which keeps it from being too harsh. It looks especially good in rooms featuring rich blue and green hues, which I associate with summertime since they evoke the outdoors." — Paloma Contreras, Paloma Contreras Interior Design
Blue-Greens
"Blue-green hues like Views remind me of the clear, calm Caribbean Sea and would look absolutely stunning in any space—from a spa-like bathroom to a serene bedroom to a colorful living room or even an entryway. If you want to go outside of the box, try painting your ceiling in a clean light blue like Headspace to bring that feeling of airy, open skies into your home." — Nicole Gibbons, Clare
Off-White
"Benjamin Moore's Timid White is the perfect just off enough white to be refreshing yet warm. I love to brush it on all surfaces of the room (walls, ceiling, moldings and casings) so it envelopes the whole space." — Melissa Warner Rothblum, Massucco Warner
Colors of Sunshine
"Combining the warmth of orange hues with shades of pinks and yellows brings the color of sunshine indoors and is ideal for long summer days." — Marika Meyer, Marika Meyer Interiors
Blush
"Sign me up for any shade of blush. It’s so soft and gentle but always adds warmth to any space. I used a super pale blush for my daughter’s bedroom ceiling and I’ve found that incorporating it in unexpected spots is such an easy way to add an understated glow. Try blush on the ceiling, or painting an entire powder room (walls and ceiling) for maximum effect. It’s also the summer vibe I’m craving in the midst of our chaotic world." — Liz Caan, Liz Caan & Co.
Classic Blue
"Warmer temps and summer sun inspire bolder colors! Sherwin Williams Naval Blue is the perfect summertime hue because it’s a classic blue kicked up a notch. I love using it as an accent color in a butler’s pantry or island base." — Marie Flanigan, Marie Flanigan Interiors
Gray
"One of my favorite paint colors for summer is Nickel by Benjamin Moore. Nickel is a sleek and versatile light gray with blue hues that can work on many different applications such as a wall color, cabinet color, or even an accent color. The lightness of the color produces a calming and tranquil aesthetic while the blue hues stimulate the mind, increase productivity, and help you stay focused. This color would be perfect for a home office space, wouldn't you agree?" — Nina Magon, Contour Interior Design
Monique Valeris is the home design director for Good Housekeeping, where she oversees the brand's home decorating coverage across print and digital. Prior to joining GH in 2020, she was the digital editor at Elle Decor. In her current role, she explores everything from design trends and home tours to lifestyle product recommendations, including writing her monthly column, "What's in My Cart."
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