Good Paint Colors for Utility Rooms

Utilitarian

• White is the easy choice, but there are varieties of white beyond the brilliant hospital white. Off-whites come in cooler or warmer shades, each with a barely detectable breath of color. These colors remove the glare of pure white while keeping the room nearly as bright. Try a very light gray for a color that will hide dust better.

Neutrals

• Neutrals are more tasteful than utilitarian colors but conservative enough to keep the utility room from looking more lively than you might desire. Soft, light tans like sand or light taupe are colors that will inject more hue than off-white but will still appear attractive. You can go further afield with darker neutrals if you want the walls to be more prominent or need the extra help hiding grime. Colors like linen or latte are slightly darker neutrals that will spruce up a workspace appropriately.

Matching Colors

• Matching the hues of utility room appliances, shelving or other preexisting fixtures is an option that adds color in a way that harmonizes the room. Beige, cherry or other appliance colors can be matched with swatches from your paint outlet or merchant and painted on the walls. For appliances in white, gray, stainless steel or similar finishes, add a splash of any color you like as these hue-neutral finishes match anything.

Designs

• For a more lively space, paint some stripes. Stripes can be applied with the assistance of masking tape, which makes it a paint job that can be rolled. Complementary colors (like blue with orange) have a "wow" factor. More subtle blends of neutrals are restrained but produce subtle contrast. Stencils are another quick way to add lively designs. Many can be applied with foam rollers. The stencils -- used either here and there or as all-over patterns -- are dynamic and can be painted by a novice.