12 Vintage Paint Colors That Are Trending Again, According to Color Experts

Between all the different paint brands and ever-changing trends, there are thousands of colors to choose from to give your home an update. But certain paint colors have withstood the test of time, particularly if you own an old home or want to add more character to a newer space. We spoke with color experts to identify vintage paint colors that are timeless enough that you won’t find yourself wanting to repaint every few years. 

Classic Green Paint Colors

According to interior designer and paint color expert Kristine Teno, the one neutral that is still a true color is green. “While [the color green's] representation in spaces can symbolize wealth, fertility, nature, and growth, it can either disgust or soothe us depending on the shade," explains Teno. "It's a friend or compliment to every other color on the wheel due to its role in the natural world.”

Teno says that no matter the shade or decade, green has been a constant since the beginning. Here are a few vintage green paint colors that embody that classic, old-world feeling.

Louisburg Green

Louisburg Green (HC-113) is a medium shade of a muted sage found in the Historical Collection by Benjamin Moore. Teno says it works well in rooms full of natural, unpainted historic woodwork.

According to color and design consultant Erin Cavanaugh, sage green paint colors like Louisburg green are some of the most tried and true traditional colors in the green family.  “A color like Louisburg Green can be used confidently on exterior trim, paired with a traditional brick exterior, or on walls in a family room or study to create a warm, cozy feeling,” Cavanaugh explains. 

Tate Olive

If you aren’t afraid of more moody paint colors, opt for a deep, traditional green. Tate Olive (HC-112) is a darker earthy green from the Historical Collection by Benjamin Moore. Teno says the shade works well on statement cabinetry and exterior siding.

Nantucket Gray

Nantucket Gray (HC-111) is another trendy vintage neutral from Benjamin Moore. Teno says this light gray-green is both soft and subtle. “It's a neutral that softens rooms with natural woodwork and stone," she says.

Timeless Blue Paint Colors 

Teno says that blue paint colors have evolved into a versatile color that can be used in any room in the house. “Historically, blue came from the rare semi-precious stone, lapis lazuli, and was originally reserved for the depiction of the Virgin Mary,” says Teno. “But over time, as blue pigments became easier to create and obtain, the color became more widely used.”

“Blue tends to work well in bathrooms, laundry rooms, and bedrooms for its cleansing and calming capabilities,” Teno adds. Whether you are looking for a classic option for the underside of your porch ceiling or a refreshing color for cabinets in the laundry room, here are a few options to consider.

Galt Blue

Teno loves blue shades that add a pop of color throughout the home. Galt Blue (CW-560) is a light and crisp robin's egg blue from Benjamin Moores's Colonial Williamsburg Collection. Teno says this shade is a great front door color on white houses.

Woodlawn Blue

Perhaps one of the most popular vintage blue paint colors is Woodlawn Blue (HC-147). This color is light and muted blue green from Benjamin Moore's Historical Collection, and Teno thinks it’s a great color for guest rooms.

Wedgewood Gray

You’ll notice that you can find neutrals on every part of the color wheel. Wedgewood Gray (HC-146) is a classic soft and calming blue-gray also from Benjamin Moore's Historical Collection. Teno says this color works well in the guest half baths.

Oval Room Blue

For instant classic paint colors, don’t forget to check out Farrow & Ball. The brand's Oval Room Blue No. 85 is a lovely dusty blue with a green undertone. “I see this in a dining room paired with rich cherry furniture or other antique woods and a soft white trim,” says Cavanaugh. 

Neutral Creamy White Paint Colors

Does it seem like most vintage white paint colos have a yellow undertone? That’s partially due to the oil used in the paint. Teno explains that unlike our modern water based paint coatings, historic oil paint would yellow the color over time.

“Traditionally speaking, white paint throughout history didn't cover very well—hence the term ‘white wash,'" she says. "A better covering white paint became more widely available to sell in the 1920s.”

"Since white is widely perceived as neutral and universal, it is appropriate for ceilings, walls, trim and cabinetry. How much is used in a space often reflects how light or dark the client wants the room to feel,” Teno explains. If you want a traditional white from a century ago, here are a few vintage paint colors to try out. 

Bone White

Bone White (OC-143) is a deep and sophisticated cream which Teno says has been a popular paint color for Benjamin Moore for over 50 years. This warm neutral will help create a soft, welcoming atmosphere on the walls of your living room or on trim or cabinets. 

Lime White

DIY expert and podcast host Stacy Grinsfelder loves Lime White CW-95 by Benjamin Moore. “It reads as a warm white in large open spaces but turns into the most perfect creamy vintage pale yellow when paired with Carerra marble," she says. "It's a total chameleon, but it makes every space feel clean and cozy.”

Linen White

Linen White (912) from Benjamin Moore is lighter than Bone White but offers a similar classic light cream look. Teno says the shade has also been offered by the company for 50 plus years, giving it true vintage status. Use it to highlight architectural details in your homes interior or exterior. 

Classic Light Buff 

Cavanaugh’s favorite creamy white is Classic Light Buff SW0055 from Sherwin Williams. “This color has the most potential applications," she says. "A soft cream like Classic Light Buff can be used on walls, trim, or ceilings (or all three at once!) and is also a great white for the body of a home when seeking to achieve a classic 'black and white' exterior.”

Mascarpone

Mascarpone (AF-20) is a vintage-inspired white paint color introduced by Benjamin Moore within the last 20 years. Teno says the shade offers the most subtle and beautifully soft creamy base. Mascarpone has a warmer base than Linen White and is considered a historically accurate white for trim and cabinetry.