Best Paint Colors for Low-Light Rooms

Paint Color Used In Photo is Behr Silver Drop

This question came from Instagram, “Any reccomendations for basements with little to no light?” What you would think is the most obvious choice is actually the wrong choice, but here are some examples of the best paint colors for low-light rooms. Light neutrals can help make a dark room feel more spacious and airy, while warm whites or off-whites can cozy up the space without making it feel too dark. Pale blues or greens create a serene or refreshing vibe but stay away from bright whites.

Not The Best Paint Colors for Low-Light Rooms

First, let’s start with paint colors that don’t work for rooms with little natural light. You may think that choosing the brightest white will help brighten up a dark room or a basement, but these colors don’t work because, in the corners of the dark rooms, this bright white paint color gets shaded and looks like a dingy gray. These also have the highest LRV and will reflect anything and everything (for example, the dirt or grass outside your basement window.)

Stay Away From Bright Whites

• Sherwin-Williams Extra White
• Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace
• Sherwin-Williams High Reflective White
• Benjamin Moore Super White

Here are some colors that do work for basements or rooms with little to no light.

Light Neutrals

• Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray
• Benjamin Moore Classic Gray
• Sherwin-Williams Accessible Beige
• Sherwin-Williams Repose Gray
• Behr Silver Drop

Warm & Off Whites

• Sherwin-Williams Creamy
• Sherwin-Williams White Duck
• Benjamin Moore Simply White
• Benjamin Moore White Dove
• Behr Swiss Coffee

Soft Blues & Greens

• Sherwin-Williams Sea Salt
• Benjamin Moore Silver Mist
• Sherwin-Williams North Star
• Benjamin Moore Silver Crest
• Behr Light French Gray

These are just a few suggestions. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of paint colors that will look great in rooms with little to no light. Be sure to sample paint colors in the room(s) you’re painting! I am always happy to answer any questions you have about my blog posts and paint color consultation services. If you want to contact me directly, reach out at hello@justhaleyhomes.com.