At Good Faith Painting Company, we get it — picking the perfect paint color for your home can feel a little overwhelming. With so many options out there, it’s easy to get stuck second-guessing your choices. We’ve helped a lot of homeowners in Knoxville, Seymour, Sevierville, and Maryville find the right color to match their style, and we’re here to make the process easier for you too.
In this blog, we’ll walk you through some simple steps (and a few insider tips) to help you choose interior paint colors that you’ll love living with every day.
Start With What You Have
Before you even pick up a paint swatch, take a look around your home. Your furniture, flooring, cabinets, and even artwork already have colors and tones that can help guide your choice.
For example, if you have warm hardwood floors, you might lean toward a warmer wall color — something with golden, beige, or rich earthy undertones. On the flip side, if your decor has a lot of cool grays or blues, you might want a cooler wall color to complement it.
Pro Tip: Bring a few fabric samples (like throw pillows or curtains) to the paint store with you. It makes matching and coordinating way easier.
Understand Undertones (It Matters More Than You Think)
Paint colors aren’t just one flat shade. Even neutrals like white, gray, or beige have subtle undertones — pink, green, blue, yellow — that can pop once the paint goes up on your walls.
Here’s a quick example:
- A gray with a blue undertone can feel crisp and fresh.
- A gray with a brown undertone can feel cozy and warm.
When we help Knoxville homeowners choose colors, we always point out the undertones first because they can completely change the vibe of a room. Always test a sample on your wall and check it at different times of the day to see how lighting affects it.
Think About the Mood You Want
Every room has a purpose, and your paint color can help set the right tone (pun intended).
- Living Rooms & Gathering Spaces: Warm neutrals, soft blues, or muted greens are great choices for rooms where people hang out and relax.
- Bedrooms: You might want something calming like pale blue, soft gray, or warm taupe.
- Kitchens: Whites, creams, and even bold colors like navy or sage green can work, depending on your style.
- Bathrooms: Crisp, clean colors like soft gray, aqua, or classic white can make a small space feel fresh and open.
Take a few minutes to think about how you want each room to feel, then pick a color that helps create that atmosphere.
Lighting Changes Everything
One thing we tell all of our clients in Knoxville and surrounding areas is: lighting will mess with your paint color. It’s just a fact.
Natural sunlight, overhead lights, lamps — they all affect how a color looks. For example:
- South-facing rooms get warm, golden light, which can make colors look brighter and warmer.
- North-facing rooms tend to have cooler, blue-tinted light, which can make colors feel darker and cooler.
Always paint a sample swatch in your room and live with it for a few days before making a final decision. Look at it in the morning, afternoon, and evening. It’ll save you a lot of headaches.
Neutral Colors Are Safe (But Don’t Be Afraid to Add Some Personality)
Neutrals like beige, white, gray, and greige (a blend of gray and beige) are popular for good reason — they’re timeless, flexible, and they make it easy to swap out decor over time.
That said, a bold accent wall or a deep, rich color can add a lot of character to your home without overwhelming the space.
If you’re not sure where to add a pop of color, try a smaller room like a powder bath or a reading nook first. It’s a low-risk way to test out bolder choices.
A Few Color Ideas to Get You Started
We’re happy to work with whatever colors you’re dreaming about, but if you’re looking for some ideas, here are a few palettes Knoxville homeowners tend to love:
- Warm Whites: Great for traditional Southern homes and open living spaces.
- Soft Greens and Blues: Perfect for bringing a little bit of the Smoky Mountains vibe indoors.
- Earthy Taupes and Grays: Ideal for that cozy, welcoming feeling.
- Navy or Charcoal Accent Walls: Adds a touch of drama without going overboard.
And if you want a color that’s trending but still timeless, Benjamin Moore’s “Revere Pewter” and “Pale Oak” are both safe bets for beautiful neutrals.
Final Thoughts (and How We Can Help)
Choosing the right interior paint color doesn’t have to be stressful. When you work with Good Faith Painting Company, you’re not just getting painters — you’re getting a team that’s happy to walk you through the decision-making process. Whether you already have a color in mind or need a little help narrowing it down, we’re here to offer advice based on years of hands-on experience right here in East Tennessee.
If you’re ready to get started, or if you just have a few questions about picking your perfect color, give us a call or reach out for a free consultation. We’ll be happy to help you turn your house into a home you’re proud to show off.
Additional Resources
Benjamin Moore:
How to choose interior paint colors
How to choose exterior paint colors
Find your local Benjamin Moore store
Sherwin Williams:
How to choose paint colors
Free color visualizer
Color Expert App
Find your local Sherwin Williams store