Nothing transforms a room faster than a fresh coat of paint. But picking a single shade from that thick fan deck or wall of paint chips can be more challenging than painting the room itself. While paint company Olympic offers over one thousand shades, several hues are popular standouts. We asked the experts at Olympic to share their most popular paint colors, which range from soft grays to a classic white to a fresh aqua.
Olympic, which has been in business since 1938 and is part of PPG (along with PPG Paint, Glidden, Dulux, and Sico), has found that customers have recently been falling hard for several gray tones , including Swirling Smoke, City Street, Flagstone, and Dover Gray. These hues have become favorites of customers and designers looking for a stylish neutral with a bit more depth than a white or beige (though Delicate White and Toasted Almond still rank in the top ten).
Olympic also took the trend toward bold shades into account when deciding on their 2018 color of the year , Black Magic. “In past years, consumers have gravitated toward open, airy spaces that are thought to leave room for exposure,” said Dee Schlotter, PPG senior color marketing manager, Olympic paint, in a press release. “However, in the current day, consumers often feel uneasy, restless, or like their privacy is being invaded, so they crave deep, comforting colors that offer a welcome escape from the chaos of daily life. Olympic paint’s Black Magic perfectly satisfies consumers’ desire for privacy." Black Magic is already a best-seller, and the company notes that its classic hue is a great complement to blush pinks, trendy grays, and warm whites both on indoor and outdoor surfaces.
Two pastels, Sea Sprite and Lotus Flower, also made the top ten. The soft shades are lively but still serene enough for a private retreat. Sea Sprite's cool aqua hue is tailor-made for a spalike bath or restful bedroom, while Lotus Flower's yellow-toned off-white is ideal for a sunny kitchen or gender-neutral nursery. Peruse Olympics most popular paint colors and find the just the right color for your project.
OL196 Swirling Smoke, Courtesy of Olympic
Swirling Smoke is a warm gray with orange undertones that would be perfect in a cozy living room or bedroom.
OL730.2 Toasted Almond, Courtesy of Olympic
Toasted Almond is a versatile beige that pairs well with other neutrals and rich browns.
OL107 Delicate White, Courtesy of Olympic
This cool, creamy white is the ultimate neutral for walls, trim, and ceilings.
OL133 Gypsum, Courtesy of Olympic
This soft gray has a bit of warmth, making it a great choice for bathrooms.
OL172 City Street, Courtesy of Olympic
City Street is another warm neutral that's a nice mix between gray and beige.
OL116 Black Magic, Courtesy of Olympic
Black Magic, Olympic's color of the year for 2018, contrasts well with grays, pastels, and whites.
OL154 Flagstone, Courtesy of Olympic
Flagstone is a neutral gray that's right on trend.
OL744.3 Sea Sprite, Courtesy of Olympic
Fresh and soothing Sea Sprite is a tranquil tone for bedrooms and baths.
OL168 Dover Gray, Courtesy of Olympic
Dover Gray's darker hue adds drama when used with softer shades and creates contrast when paired with black.
OL617.1 Lotus Flower, Courtesy of Olympic
Lotus Flower is a fresh off-white with yellow undertones that would work well in any space.
Related: AD ’s Guide to Decorating with Color