13 Rich, Moody Paint Colors For a Cozy Atmosphere

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Last Updated on June 7, 2023 by lindseymahoney

I am digging the rich, moody paint colors trend and am craving this design aesthetic even more as we head into Fall!

Consider using one of these beautiful shades to create a cozy and luxurious atmosphere.

Whether you prefer deep, rich hues or muted, atmospheric tones, there’s a perfect moody paint color out there for you.

Last Fall I painted our dining room a dark gray and it is still one of my favorite rooms in our house. Check out some of the best moody paint colors to try in your home this year.

*Looking for more paint color suggestions? Check out my favorite neutral interior colors for a room and the list of 2020 trends!

What are considered moody colors?

Moody paint colors aren’t just your standard dark blues and warm greens. In my opinion, any color can become “moody” when it is desaturated and has more gray undertones.

These colors tend to have an LRV lower than 50 and easily create a cozy atmosphere in a space.

The descriptors “muddy”, “muted” or “earthy” are often used when describing these moody colors because they look like colors that can be found in nature.

What is Light Reflective Value (LRV)?

As a reminder, LRV tells us how much light a color absorbs on a scale from 0 to 100. The lower the number, the less light the color will reflect and will therefore feel darker.

The higher the LRV number, the more reflective the color, making a space feel lighter and brighter.

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Must-Try Moody Paint Colors for Your Home

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Peppercorn by Sherwin Williams

LRV 10

Mary from Merrily Modern painted one wall in her foyer using Peppercorn SW 7674 and it looks absolutely perfect with the blue tile and blue door.

The charcoal gray color is a popular choice for creating a modern atmosphere in any space. This versatile paint color pairs well with a variety of decor styles, from contemporary to traditional.

Its deep and rich tone adds depth and sophistication to any room. Whether you use it on the walls, furniture, or as an accent color, charcoal gray creates a sleek and elegant look.

It pairs beautifully with metallic accents, bold pops of color, and clean lines.

Fading Twilight by Benjamin Moore

LRV 14

Julia from ChrislovesJulia always gets paint colors right! Fading Twilight by Benjamin Moore is the perfect jewel-toned burgundy for their music room.

The painted ceiling and baseboards add a fun element of surprise and drama to a room.

Dead Salmon by Farrow & Ball

LRV 42

Jenny from Juniper Home is one of my favorite designers to follow. l love this warm pink paint color she used in her office bathroom called Dead Salmon by Farrow and Ball.

Using this beautiful earth-tone color in the bathroom really warms up the space and gives it personality.

*For more pinky-beige color options, check out my roundup of 16 beautiful mauve paint colors and a color review on Sherwin-Williams Redend Point paint color.

Outerspace by Sherwin Williams

LRV 12

I used Outerspace SW 6251 for our master bedroom makeover and it completely changed the feel of the room! This rich, dark blue paint color gives the space a cozy vibe without feeling too dark.

I applied the same dark color to the trim and doors for a modern and fresh look.

The bedroom below is designed by Clark + Aldine and is out of this world! Ok, sorry, that was really cheesy but I couldn’t help myself!

Danielle used this blue-green paint color to create a cozy bedroom with masculine vibes for one of her clients.

Inchyra Blue by Farrow & Ball

LRV 12

I get so much inspiration from JH Interior Design and I love this moody, blue-gray dining room with Inchyra Blue by Farrow and Ball.

Brinjal by Farrow & Ball

LRV 4

Brinjal takes its name from the beautifully deep and shiny skin of the aubergine. This moody, eggplant paint color instantly adds a touch of opulence and sophistication to any space.

Chimney by Behr

LRV 8

Jenni from I Spy DIY created the most luxurious bathroom using this deep blue paint color. She is another designer who I often look to for bold, paint colors in the home. Chimney by Behr is a pretty gray that works well with any design style.

I love how this bathroom has a vintage vibe while still keeping a modern design.

Yellow Flash by Benjamin Moore

LRV 57

Yellow is one of those scary paint colors that has always intimidated me!

It probably stems from when my mom and I decided to paint the kitchen yellow and it ended up looking like the inside of a Waffle House, but Yellow Flash by Benjamin Moore is really calling my name.

This dining room was featured in House Beautiful and the golden paint color on the cabinets is giving off major vibes of the autumn season. It looks stunning with the bold, patterned wallpaper, too!

Hale Navy by Benjamin Moore

LRV 7

Hale Navy by Benjamin Moore is one of my favorite blue hues to use in a room. Deep navy is a classic and timeless color that can instantly add a sense of depth and sophistication to any space. 

I used this blue in a small half bathroom and it was the perfect, moody paint color to give this small space some oomph.

Greenblack by Sherwin Williams

LRV 4

Can Shae from Studio McGee do anything wrong? NOPE! This all-black office is stunning.

Greenblack SW 6994 is the perfect neutral base color to design this warm and inviting office.

I love the wall color with the rich, wood tones included in the room and the velvet couch.

Cavern Clay by Sherwin Williams

LRV 20

Hannah from Blank Slate Reno designed this master bedroom perfectly around the color Cavern Clay SW 7701! This warm, terracotta color pairs perfectly with bohemian decor.

Fun Fact: Cavern Clay was also chosen as the color of the year in 2019.

Narragansett Green by Benjamin Moore

LRV 7

Narragansett Green, by Benjamin Moore, is part of their Historic collection that can give any space a timeless look.

Dark greens are a versatile moody paint color that brings the beauty of nature indoors. This deep and rich shade adds a sense of tranquility and sophistication to any space.

Whether you use it on the walls, furniture, or as an accent color, dark forest green creates a calming and inviting atmosphere. It pairs well with natural materials like wood and stone, as well as with earthy tones and neutral colors.

Caviar by Benjamin Moore

LRV 3

These rich, moody paint colors aren’t just for the interior of your house!

Katie and Uriah from The Inspiring Investment gave this house a modern makeover by painting the exterior with a bold, black color.

The exterior is painted in Caviar by Benjamin Moore to add some drama to this mid-century modern design.

Anyone else loving black exteriors right now?

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I hope these moody paint colors have you in the mood to tackle your next paint project at home!

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FAQ’s

How do you make a room feel moody?

Here are a few additional ways to create a moody and cozy vibe in a room:

• Choose a rich, moody color like the examples above for the walls
• Add lamp light – Light from lamps always feels cozier than overhead lighting in a room
• Layer rich textures – Include fabrics like velvet and boucle to add dimension to the room
• Paint the trim and ceiling a moody color – Consider painting the trim and ceiling the same color as the walls

Where should I use a moody paint color in my home?

Muted paint colors can be used in any room of the home, but I would consider how you want that room to feel and function. These darker colors can easily create a cozy atmosphere so they work great in bedrooms, living rooms, and dining rooms.

Moody paint colors are also great for accent walls. We used a dark gray color to make our living room fireplace pop!