No matter how much you may have loved Barbie, there’s a fair chance you don’t want your space to look like the doll’s Dreamhouse. And for that reason, pink wall paint can sound like a pretty intimidating — if altogether unappealing — prospect. But we’re here to prove that this hue can be far more subtle than it seems.

A pink-purple hue, a light mauve can be a great alternative to a more expected cream and gray wall paint — but if you opt for a more vivid option, it can also serve as an excellent accent hue, drenching your space in sunset-style warmth. Chances are, it’s a lot more versatile than you might think; you just have to find the right shade for your space. 

The best mauve paint colors — according to Havenly designer Kelsey Fischer — range from nearly neutral to deep lilac. Whether you’re looking for a light hue to paint your kitchen, a more pigmented color for your bedroom, or the perfect in-between for your living space, these are the best mauve paint colors to consider.

Mauve Paint Colors: Farrow & Ball Sulking Room Pink

The soft, muted tone of Farrow & Ball’s Sulking Room Pink gives it a romantic, almost historic feel. Its slight gray tint helps it complement a wide range of hues — like varied greens, rich blues, and light yellows.

Mauve Paint Colors: Benjamin Moore Almond Beige

A perfect mix of cappuccino brown and true mauve, Benjamin Moore’s Almond Beige has a rich, warm quality that makes it a welcome choice for a cozy living room.

Mauve Paint Colors: Backdrop Paint Jawbreaker 

Consider Backdrop Paint’s Jawbreaker a cooler version of a bubblegum pink. It’s bright, but slightly hazy — which gives it a more sophisticated edge.

Mauve Paint Colors: Sherwin Williams Studio Mauve 

Swap out a more expected gray for Sherwin Williams’s Studio Mauve. The historic hue is a perfect balance between warm and cool; it’s great all-over or as an accent color.

Mauve Paint Colors: Benjamin Moore Hint of Mauve 

Another better-than-neutral option, Benjamin Moore’s Hint of Mauve is a creamy mix of light brown and mauve. This dreamy hue looks especially great accentuating wainscoting and traditional molding.

Mauve Paint Colors: Farrow & Ball Peignoir

Farrow & Ball’s Peignoir is nearly gray — with just enough pink to give it a mysterious, romantic air. Think: Ballet slippers and ancient Greek statues.

Mauve Paint Colors: Benjamin Moore Wet Concrete

The payoff of Benjamin Moore’s Wet Concrete is far more refined than its name might suggest. The true mauve strikes a balance between brown and gray undertones, making it a great neutral hue.

Mauve Paint Colors: Benjamin Moore Gobi Desert

For a light and breezy option, why not consider Benjamin Moore’s Gobi Desert? This sandy shade has just a touch of petal pink, which gives it some warmth. Try this color in a kitchen or hallway to brighten things up.

Mauve Paint Colors: Backdrop Paint Not So Delicate

A slightly cooler option, Backdrop Paint’s Not So Delicate errs on the side of lavender, but reads mostly gray. It’s a great choice if a true gray feels a bit too expected for your tastes.

Mauve Paint Colors: Sherwin Williams Doeskin

Sherwin Williams’s Doeskin is a light taupe hue that gets its bright finish from its cool violet undertone — an elegant accent color for a mostly white space.

Mauve Paint Colors: Benjamin Moore Sandblast

Forget Millennial Pink — Benjamin Moore’s Sandblast is the perfect neutral pink tone to bring into just about any space. It especially pops against warm, brown accents, making it a great complement for hardwood floors.

Mauve Paint Colors: Benjamin Moore Porcelain

If you don’t want to paint your walls white, but you do want to keep them nice and bright, Benjamin Moore’s Porcelain is the answer. Its light purple tint is ever-so-subtle, but impactful enough to bring more depth and warmth into a space.

Mauve Paint Colors: Sherwin Williams Mauve Finery

For a playful option, you can hardly go wrong with Sherwin Williams’s Mauve Finery; its vivid, true mauve hue has a refreshing appeal that evokes the feeling of spring year-round.

Mauve Paint Colors: Benjamin Moore Deep Mauve

Thanks to its rich brown undertones, Benjamin Moore’s Deep Mauve has a delightfully moody finish that makes it an excellent choice for a bedroom. Both black and dark brown furniture look striking against this almost plummy hue.

Mauve Paint Colors: Benjamin Moore Seaside Sand

A color that evokes a scallop shell plucked fresh from the shore, Benjamin Moore’s Seaside Sand is a relaxed, unstudied color. Its purple undertones are subtle, but give this neutral hue a more refined quality.

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