When you’re staring at a wall of paint swatches at the hardware store, it can feel overwhelming. Every white looks the same until you bring it home and suddenly it’s too yellow, too blue, or just not what you had in mind. After years of designing and testing colors in real homes, I’ve narrowed it down to a few tried-and-true go-to paint colors that never let me down.

In this post, I’m sharing the paint colors I reach for again and again—plus how they look in real spaces, not just on a tiny chip. I’ll also let you in on my favorite hack for making designer colors more affordable (hint: it involves color matching at Home Depot).

My Top 3 Go-To Paint Colors

1. Behr Nano White (Interior Walls)

Nano White is my go-to interior white. It’s clean, crisp, and modern without feeling cold or sterile. The undertone is neutral, so it doesn’t pull yellow in warm light or blue in cool light—it just feels bright and fresh. Although in store it almost looked like it had a pink undertone (I’m telling you the stores lighting is SO deceiving.) I love using this for whole-home wall color when clients want a blank canvas that still feels sophisticated.

I’ve actually used this is almost every single home we’ve done that needed new paint.

2. Behr Swiss Coffee (Exterior White)

If you want a timeless white exterior, Swiss Coffee is my favorite pick. It it slightly creamier than Nano White. It has just a touch of warmth, which helps it feel inviting instead of stark blinding bright white. On an exterior, it balances beautifully against natural elements like stone, wood, and landscaping.

3. Sherwin Williams Black Magic (Color-Matched in Behr)

This black is bold, modern, and versatile. I’ve used it on exteriors for a dramatic statement and on interior accent walls for contrast. It’s a rich true black—not too warm, not too cool—so it pairs beautifully with both whites and wood tones. I color-match Sherwin Williams Black Magic into Behr paint at Home Depot. It’s more affordable, super convenient, and the finish quality holds up great.

What Behr Base Paint I Use

Once you’ve picked your color, the next step is choosing the right base paint. I always go with a paint-and-primer mix because it gives better coverage and saves time compared to buying a separate primer.

For larger projects like whole-home paint jobs, I purchase 5-gallon buckets of Behr Premium Plus Paint & Primer in whichever sheen I need. It’s durable, cost-effective in bulk, and perfect when you need consistent coverage across an entire house.

For smaller projects—especially when I’m the one doing the painting—I like to upgrade to Behr Marquee in whichever sheen I need. It’s marketed as a one-coat paint, and while I still prefer to do a second coat for the most professional finish, it makes the job much easier and gives great coverage.

Both options are excellent—it just depends on the size of your project and whether you’re looking for efficiency on a large scale or a smoother, easier experience on smaller jobs.

Personal Projects I’ve Used These In For Reference:

As you can see by the number of my personal projects that I have used these go-to paint colors in- I can confidently say these are the paint colors I trust the most. They’ve proven themselves to look beautiful and consistent every single time, no matter the house style, natural light, or finishes around them. These tried-and-true shades have become the backbone of my designs because they just work. That said, every space is unique, and lighting can change how a color feels. I always recommend sampling before committing so you can see the color in your own home. If you need tips on how to do that, check out my article on how to pick the perfect paint color.

Our Current House:

• House Exterior: Behr Swiss Coffee -Flat
• House Exterior Trim + Pergola: Sherwin Williams Black Magic – Flat
• Front Door: Sherwin Williams Black Magic – Eggshell or Satin
• Fence: Sherwin Williams Black Magic – Flat
• Interior: Behr Nano White (Walls + Baseboards- Eggshell, Ceilings – Flat)
• Fireplaces: Sherwin Williams Black Magic -Satin

Wilson Front Spanish House:

• House Exterior: Behr Swiss Coffee – Flat
• Interior Walls: Behr Nano White (Walls + Baseboards- Eggshell, Ceilings – Flat)
• Back Door: Sherwin Williams Black Magic – Eggshell or Satin
• Fireplace: Sherwin Williams Black Magic – Eggshell
• Office built ins, laundry built ins: Sherwin Williams Black Magic – Satin

Wilson Back House:

• House Exterior: Sherwin Williams Black Magic – Flat
• Interior Walls: Behr Nano White (Walls + Baseboards- Eggshell, Ceilings – Flat)
• Fireplace: Sherwin Williams Black Magic – Eggshell

Tulum House:

• House Exterior: Behr Swiss Coffee -Flat
• House Exterior Trim + Gate: Sherwin Williams Black Magic – Flat
• Exterior Doors: Sherwin Williams Black Magic – Eggshell or Satin
• Interior: Behr Nano White (Walls + Baseboards- Eggshell, Ceilings – Flat)
• Rock Fireplace: Sherwin Williams Black Magic -Satin