20 Nature-Inspired Paint Colors That Bring the Outside In

Lichen (Farrow & Ball)

If you’re leaning green, consider Lichen by Farrow & Ball, which is described by the brand as the "subtle color of creeping algae which ages stone so beautifully." 

"It is a subtle sage green that does not feel overly dramatic and is a color that I would consider a neutral because of its timeless feel. It's the perfect subtle green," says Brittany Hakimfar, lead interior designer at Far Studio. "We’ve used this green on kitchen cabinets to give a pop of color without picking something you might get tired of. To me this is such a soothing and calming color."

Palace Green (Benjamin Moore)

For a brighter variation of verdant, consider Benjamin Moore Palace Green.

"This earthy, subdued green is a beautiful mirror for complementing colors of light blue and creamy whites. I love that it evokes a nature-inspired feel yet still lends modern and contemporary vibes in the right setting," says interior designer Will Hunt Lewis, owner of Hunt & Bloom.

To elevate the paint, pair it with a striking, complementary wallpaper. You can also use it in everyday elements of your home, like trim accents or kitchen cabinets.

Saffron (Benjamin Moore)

Orange tones are often underrated—and sometimes tricky to work with, but when done well, they can add a heightened level of playful sophistication to your space. Consider Benjamin Moore Saffron, a volcanic copper orange.

"This rusty hue is a perennial must for those of us whose favorite season is autumn! It’s not quite as dark as brown, and has an earthy tone while being imbued with the richness of a deep orange," says interior designer Linette Dai. 

"The best part of a copper orange is that it acts as a more vibrant option to a brown neutral," says Dai. "Meaning, it makes a gorgeous paint color for millwork and trims, and it can also complement a wide spectrum of other colors, including olive green, brown, cream, indigo blue, mustard, and burgundy."

Spiced Apple Cider (Benjamin Moore)

For an orange-ish tone that’s a bit more subdued, consider Benjamin Moore Spiced Apple Cider.

"It's cozy and confident—like a warm cup of cider on a crisp day," says interior designer Carissa Byrne Hebert of CBH Interiors. It’s a subtle and muted tone, but still lends a sense of vibrancy to a space, especially when paired with softer neutrals.

Canchito (Comex)

Take your cue from the desert with Canchito by Comex, an exquisite, pink-leaning clay color.  

"This pink represents the transition of some cactus as a response to solar lighting, they adjust themselves as a reaction of their own pigments to this condition. It also reminds me of the earth that gets transformed into clay," says Paola Camarena, architect, designer, and creative director for Xala. "This is essential in the Mexican culture, somehow, I could say it embodies it."

She says this pink is a representation of nature’s flexibility and can be used in a very elegant way throughout your home. 

Mediterranean Teal (Benjamin Moore)

Let’s shift our color focus to the sea with Benjamin Moore Mediterranean Teal. Interior designer Maggie Winshall, founder of MW Interiors, says this greenish-turquoise (with a hint of gray) delivers major wow factor.

"It’s soothing like a warm sea and can be paired with a bright white to resemble a mountainscape in the background," she says, adding that it’s versatile and can be moody while also offering a pop of a drama.

"This color can be used in a small dramatic bathroom, moody office, or even a high gloss finish on a bar cabinet with pops of brass hardware," Winshall says.

Hale Navy (Benjamin Moore)

For a near-nautical shade of blue, Hunt Lewis recommends Benjamin Moore Hale Navy.

"Hale Navy transports me to dawn—just before the sun begins pushing through the sky and a lighter, more illuminated blue takes shape," Hunt Lewis says. "It’s a calming yet dramatic color that can deliver a nautical feel when paired with transitional or coastal-inspired decor."

Use it as a statement color on the ceilings or walls or use it as the main hue in a powder bath, coast-inspired guestroom, or bar and lounge. 

Shaded White (Farrow & Ball)

For a beautiful neutral with a hint of drama, Dai loves Farrow & Ball Shaded White, which reminds her of the color of wild barley or oatmeal.

"This beautiful neutral color has a calming and grounding effect. It’s not as plain as white and adds an element of character that feels organic and timeless," she says. "For a retreat-like oasis, paint all the walls of a room or bathroom in this color."

She says this is also one of her favorites for kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities, noting that it’s a more interesting alternative to simple white. It’s also quite versatile, pairing well with almost any muted shade of color.

Natural Linen (Benjamin Moore)

Benjamin Moore Natural Linen is very similar to Shaded White, only it's has more of a creamy yellow undertone to it that offers some additional warmth.

"It's a really beautiful neutral that can be used everywhere—on walls, trim, doors, ceilings," says Herbert. It still gives you that white-neutral backdrop, but "lets the hygge vibes in," she says. In addition to using it on your walls, also consider it for the color on your trim or doors.

London Clay (Farrow & Ball)

If you can’t decide between earthy brown tones or a sophisticated gray, Farrow & Ball has the answer with its gorgeous London Clay.

"This is the perfect blend of a brown grey that feels earthy and cozy—not cold," says Hakimfar. "We have used this color in a dining room where we painted all the walls, trim, and ceiling to give a bit of a dramatic look."

To offset the color, she pairs it with white oak furniture and sheer white linen drapery.

Oil Cloth (Benjamin Moore)

Benjamin Moore Oil Cloth is another perfect shade for those who want to embrace "greige." It at once feels both modern and antique, and there’s definitely a sense of moodiness it evokes, as well.

"This is the perfect wall-to-wall color for a living room or bedroom," Hunt Lewis says. "A delightfully contemporary vibe takes shape when paired with wood furniture and modern art."

Speaking of shape, Hunt Lewis says this color is a "shapeshifter," meaning it adapts brilliantly to different design aesthetics. "I could see Oil Cloth used in a historical Victorian home just as easily as I could see it in a midcentury modern or new construction," he says.

Greenblack (Sherwin-Williams)

Black offers drama, but sometimes can be a bit too stark for what you’re going for. Sherwin-Williams Greenblack puts an earthy spin on this bold hue.  

"I love this color and usually use it as an alternative to black—it is super dark, but really interesting and definitely has hints of green which I love," Hakimfar says.

She recommends using it in small spaces, like a powder room, and painting all the elements of the room this hue including ceiling, walls, and trim. From there, you can accent it with brass and marble.

Willow (Benjamin Moore)

While Oil Cloth leans more green-gray and Farrow & Ball London Clay skews more warmish-pink, Benjamin Moore Willow is a deeper greige tone that embraces the richness of brown.

"This color is on trend and yet timeless at the same time," says Winshall. "It brings out the moody feelings of the natural tree bark of an elegant willow tree. It evokes feelings of warmth and is earthy like a crumbled muddy ground." She loves this color on the walls of a cozy den or office. 

Mahogany (Farrow & Ball)

Speaking of brown tones, this color family may feel intimidating, but the right hue can quickly elevate your space. Take Farrow & Ball Mahogany, for example.

"This is a really dark brown that is almost black with hints of purple. It is super dramatic, but has lots of depth to it and almost changes its hue based on the lighting," says Hakimfar. "We have used this color in an office with beautiful walnut millwork and green velvet upholstered furniture. When mixed with the right colors and fabrics this color is the perfect moody backdrop."

Rose Silk (Benjamin Moore)

Florals are a perfect place to look for interior paint inspiration, and Benjamin Moore Rose Silk offers the subtlest shade of dusty pink inspired by roses.

"Like the first flowers of spring, this light pink is a beautifully calming color that makes you feel happy just looking at it," Hunt Lewis says. "I love this color for a nursery, and it seems a lot of others do as well. It’s such a beautiful shade of pink."

He adds that you can also use it as an accent color on a stairwell, pairing it with white or neutral balusters, or kitchen cabinets if you’re feeling adventurous.

Peachy Keen (Dunn Edwards)

A dusty pink is a classic choice, but if you’re craving a juicier pink with a subtle hint of orange undertones, Dai recommends filling your paint tray with Peachy Keen by Dunn Edwards. This tone is inspired by the fruit, but Dai also says it reminds her of the pale shade of pink found in onyx.

"Pink works best in any room that you want to infuse with a sense of fun," she says. "However, this color is extremely versatile, and depending on how it’s paired, it can set a completely different vibe."

For example, pink and black are a dynamic combination, while pink and mint feels very playful, she says. Pink paired with a cream or a light beige offers a sense of serenity, while pink and red are an undeniably romantic duo.

Peony (Benjamin Moore)

Those who crave saturated color in their space—and aren’t afraid of pink—might just fall for Benjamin Moore’s Peony. Winshall says she loves this paint color for its richness and ability to infuse joy and excitement into any space.

"Just like the name of this color, its intensity relates to so many things in nature. It pops like a happy flower, it’s soothing like a beautiful sunset on a warm summer night, and it’s powerful like a raging fire," she says. "This color would be perfect for a small powder room or a nursery or kids room paired with a fun wallpaper."

Crocus (Benjamin Moore)

While named after the striking flower, Dai says that Benjamin Moore Crocus reminds her of a beautiful sunset you’d catch in Maui.

"This gorgeous shade of lavender with a blue undertone is reminiscent of the magnificent coastal sunsets where the pink skies meet the dark blue ocean, casting a pastel violet hue into the clouds that is simply breathtaking," she says.

Pastels often work best when paired with neutrals or other pastels, such as cream, blush pink, or dusty blue. Dai says she can see this particular color in a bedroom, playroom, or even a bathroom as a cabinetry color.

"Lavender also works well when used in conjunction with black and white as an elegant highlight feature within a space," says Dai.

Infinito (Comex)

Camarena calls Comex’s Infinito a "contemplation blue" that represents both the sky and water. To her, this versatile color offers a sense of serenity and stability.

"This one is deep and invites introspection and meditation. It creates confidence and peace when we are surrounded by it," she says. "It may be used everywhere, but it is important to use it with neutral tones to bring balance between light and darkness. This hue will let you disconnect from the routine and will allow you to find your inner harmony in a unique way."

Hunter Green (Benjamin Moore)

Ground your space with a shade like Hunter Green by Benjamin Moore, a rich color that nods to the deepest depths of the forest.

"This color is deep and earthy like the dark woods of a forest, yet still has a vibrancy—especially when the natural sun hits it to create a bold and playful feeling like a bright fresh leaf that was sprinkled with rainwater," Winshall says. "It balances well with a soft white to provide warmth to a space."

She suggests pairing it with brass accents to create a calm, yet chic feel. It’s also a great choice for the office, living room, or cabinets.