A Designer’s Favorite Go-To Neutral Paint Colors

Many people don’t think about vertical storage when they think about organizing their homes. There are vertical solutions for every room, whether it is a magnetic strip on the kitchen wall to hold knives, a peg wall with hooks and holders in the garage for tools, sports equipment, and gardening supplies, or a decorative spice rack near your stove to corral those small bottles and free up cabinet space. If you are a crafter like I am, you know how quickly craft supplies can multiply and get out of control. Instead of stuffing them all in boxes and cupboards where you can’t see them, consider mounting a wall organizing system like this one from Hafele.

Another area that can benefit from decluttering is your clothes closet. Discard or donate any clothes that are outdated, no longer fit, or that you haven’t worn in the last several years. Be brutal! Once it’s out of sight, it will most likely be out of mind as well.

Cozy mudroom with dark paneled walls, bench seating, hooks, chalkboard, and wooden cabinet.

Modern hallway with wall-mounted coat rack, hanging bags and scarves, and a full-length mirror near a glass door.

Once the decluttering is done, now you need to find a way to store the clothes that are left in a way that is convenient and easily accessible. Converting one wall or a portion of one wall to adjustable shelves is one solution. Baskets can hold loose items such as scarves, while clear plastic boxes can keep out of season shoes neat, clean, and organized. Vertical storage in the closet is another solution that many people may not consider. Symphony Wall Organizers come in a variety of heights and the bars can shift left or right to accommodate light switches and outlets. A variety of hooks allow flexibility to hang everything from shoes to bags to hats to jewelry, keeping everything easily accessible.

These are just a few ways you can organize your home to help reduce your stress and save you time. A quick online search will inspire you with many more ideas to declutter. Although the process may seem daunting, it will pay off in the end!

The Cons of Built-In Coffee Makers

Four circular wood-grain diagrams labeled Phrenology, Quartersawn, Rift, and Live-sawn.

Ribbon Mahogany – Offers a high-end, exotic look with a fine, straight grain and deep reddish-brown color.
Cherry – Ages beautifully with time, developing a rich, deep red-brown patina.
Birch – A cost-effective hardwood that mimics maple but is slightly softer.

Picking a paint color sounds easy… until you’re standing in front of that wall of swatches with 47 shades of white. It’s one of the trickiest parts of a home project and believe it or not — it’s a decision that can totally transform (or unintentionally clash with) your space. At Tailored Spaces, we work with paint colors every day while pairing them with cabinetry, countertops, and finishes, so we thought we’d share a few of our tried-and-true favorites along with some helpful tips for choosing your own.

Let’s be honest — neutrals will always be in style. But the right neutral makes your space feel effortlessly timeless. Here are a few we find ourselves reaching for again and again:

Dove Wing by Benjamin Moore: A soft, warm white that pairs beautifully with both bright and moody spaces.
Aesthetic White by Sherwin Williams: That perfect creamy not-too-white, not-too-beige tone for walls that need warmth without looking yellow.
Vanilla Milkshake by Benjamin Moore: Our favorite go-to for ceilings and trim — it’s that in-between color that feels fresh but not stark.
Urbane Bronze by Sherwin Williams: Technically a deep brown with green undertones, but it reads as the perfect moody, dramatic color on cabinetry and built ins. (Shown in image above.)
Vintage Vogue by Benjamin Moore: A rich, classic green with a hint of vintage charm. Fun fact: our own office cabinets are painted this color!
Heron Plume or Egret White by Sherwin Williams: Ideal for those seeking a greige (gray + beige) with soft, cozy undertones.

Beyond just color, the paint finish you choose affects both the look and durability of your walls. Here’s a quick cheat sheet:

Walls: Go for an eggshell or satin finish. It gives a soft sheen, hides imperfections better than flat, and it’s easier to wipe down.
Ceilings: Stick with a flat or matte finish. It hides surface flaws and avoids any weird glare from overhead lights.
Trim, Doors, and Cabinets: Use semi-gloss or satin finish. It’s durable, cleans easily, and makes those architectural details pop.

Lighting Will Make or Break Your Paint Color

This is where most people go wrong. The color you fall in love with at the paint store? It’s going to look completely different in your home. The undertones in your floors, cabinetry, and even the direction your windows face will pull out different shades you might not expect.

Our advice:

Bring multiple paint samples into the room you’re painting.
Look at them next to your cabinetry, floors, countertops, and tile.
Move those samples around to different walls and corners.
Check them in morning light, afternoon, evening, sunny, cloudy — you get the idea.

At Tailored Spaces, we literally haul our samples up to the windows sometimes because the selection room lighting just doesn’t cut it. Natural light makes a huge difference, and it’s worth the extra effort.