9 Guest Room Paint Colors Designers Swear By

Decorating a guest room can be a puzzling task. It’s the room you might spend the least amount of time in, but you still want to make it cozy and inviting for visitors. Where do you even start? 

The natural starting point should be the paint color for the room, according to interior designer Laititia Laurent. “Guest rooms should serve as a welcoming retreat, and color plays a pivotal role in setting the tone,” she says. “I like to start by considering the color and overall theme throughout the rest of the home, so it can be thoughtfully incorporated into the guest suite.” This approach seamlessly ties the guest space in with the rest of the home, helping guests feel welcomed and relaxed as soon as they arrive. Read on for more expert tips for choosing guest room paint colors that will have guests raving about their stay in your home.

Neutral Shades

White, off-white, gray

Neutral colors, like off-white, beige, or gray, are popular picks for guest room paint colors. “Subtle, warm neutrals work beautifully to create a sense of atmosphere and add a touch of coziness without overwhelming the senses,” Laurent says. She suggests Farrow and Ball’s Tallow or Matchstick, two shades of beige that each contribute a subtle, elegant warmth. Similarly, neutrals can work wonders for creating a “soft, calming atmosphere,” according to designer Alice Moszyznski. Her recommendations include Sherwin-Williams' Pussywillow and Fawn Brindle, both stunning neutrals that incorporate gray tones without feeling cold.

Muted Hues

Soft Blue, Green, or Pink

To add some color, interior designers agree that muted shades can be some of the best picks for a guest bedroom. “Guest rooms should feel like an upscale bed and breakfast, in my opinion,” says designer Mimi Meacham. “I like to choose soothing colors, with a hint of color, to create a welcoming and relaxed vibe.” For a classic and calming choice, go with a shade of blue. Meacham recommends Borrowed Light by Farrow and Ball, a soft, pale blue, while Moszyznski suggests the slightly deeper Aleutian and Distance shades by Sherwin-Williams. 

Green can also be a wonderful choice for a guest bedroom, evoking an earthy sense of serenity. Meacham proposes Sherwin-Williams’ Sea Salt, a cool sage green with blue undertones. For something more warm-toned, consider Guilford Green by Benjamin Moore. If blues and greens aren’t your thing, Meacham also recommends the ever-so-slightly pink Peau de Soie by Benjamin Moore, which imparts just enough color to be noticeable, but not overpowering.

Rich Tones

Navy, Charcoal, Forest Green

If you love to play with color throughout the rest of your home, bring that energy to the guest bedroom as well. Laurent says that colors like Hopper Head or Drawing Room Blue by Farrow and Ball “can add depth and sophistication, especially when balanced with crisp white linens or light wood accents.” Opting for a more saturated color can be intimidating, but when executed well, it can create an impressive, elegant space to host visitors. 

If you’re looking for the depth of a more saturated color without using it in the entire room, combine it with a more muted shade. “For a bit of coziness, add an accent wall in a slightly deeper hue, like a rich greige or a soft sage green, to add depth without overwhelming the space,” Moszyznski recommends. She suggests Mountain Road by Sherwin-Williams. Deep Creek by Benjamin Moore, or Monkey Puzzle by Farrow and Ball. These hues will lend depth and coziness to the space.

Colors to Avoid

“I’d avoid overly bright or bold colors that might be too stimulating, like reds and oranges,” Moszyznski says. Statement colors can create lively atmospheres in dining rooms or other entertainment spaces, but for a guest room, they can be overpowering. 

To create an approachable, inviting ambiance that helps guests relax and feel at home, stick with neutrals, muted colors, or rich shades of gray, blue, or beige balanced with lighter hues in the furniture and decor.