One of my favorite poems begins, “When I am old, I shall wear purple,” and goes on to list the outrageous things the poet will do as she gets older, including going out in her slippers in the rain and eating loads of sausages.
Purple has a reputation for being outlandish, dramatic, and even magical — the color of a king’s robe or wizard’s cloak. Want to add some of this whimsy to your home? Choose one of these top purple paint colors.
The best Sherwin-Williams purple paint colors are Lite Lavender, Wisteria, Expressive Plum, and Ripe Berry. Benjamin Moore offers lush colors like French Lilac, Spring Iris, Mystical Grape, and Kasbah. Examples of favorites from Behr are Foxglove, Twinberry, Artful Magenta, and King’s Court.
Choosing the Best Purple Paint Colors
Purple has never dominated interior design trends like sage or millennial pink. However, there has always been a group of die-hard purple fans who embrace this exciting color.
The sheer variety of shades of purple makes purple a fascinating color for interiors. Depending on the concentration of blue or red, purple can range from the palest lilac, lavender, and amethyst to plum, violet, and aubergine.
Purple is surprisingly versatile and liveable, so let’s explore the best purple paint colors from Sherwin-Williams, Benjamin Moore, and Behr..
Top Sherwin-Williams Purple Paints
Luxury paint producer Sherwin-Williams doesn’t disappoint when it comes to shades of purple. Inspired by flowers, jewels, and lush fruit, these purple paint colors will transform and uplift your interiors.
#1. Lite Lavender SW 6554
This barely-there shade provides the softest blush of color, making it an excellent alternative to pink in nurseries and children’s rooms, being less girly and romantic.
Lite Lavender is also a wonderful option instead of gray in elegant living rooms and bedrooms, glowing against lush furnishings.
#2. Wisteria SW 6822
Another gorgeous floral shade, Wisteria has a good dollop of blue-gray in it, making it a cooler shade of purple.
This paint color brings a bright burst of color, giving your interior a tranquil yet slightly whimsical feel. It’s a charming color for a calm bedroom retreat, inviting you to curl up with a book on a rainy afternoon.
#3. Expressive Plum SW 6271
When purple leans towards the red side, it becomes fruity, like this Expressive Plum.
Dark and dramatic, this wine color is perfect for moody spaces like a grown-up bedroom, a formal dining room, or an English country library. It’s a color that goes well with leather, velvet, and candles.
#4. Ripe Berry SW 9689
This lush, crushed berry color is another decadent purple, reminding us that it was once the color of royalty and worn only by the uber-wealthy.
Choose Ripe Berry for a sophisticated bedroom, a luxurious cocoon where you can reign supreme. Pair this rich shade with neutrals like gray, white, and cream for ultimate contrast.
Popular Benjamin Moore Purple Paints
Browsing through Benjamin Moore’s color catalogue is a delight, visiting old favorites and making exciting new discoveries. Here are my recommendations for the best Benjamin Moore purple paint colors.
#5. French Lilac 1403
Lilacs are such charming, old-fashioned flowers with their sweet, spring-like scent. I can never quite decide if I prefer lilac to lavender, but French Lilac, with its delicious blue undertone, is swaying me today.
One of Benjamin Moore’s best-sellers, this paint color is playful yet elegant. Again, I’m going to recommend it for a bedroom or powder room. However, I have an idea it would make a delightful cottage core kitchen.
#6. Spring Iris 1402
A pale, pinkish purple, Spring Iris is soft and sweet like spring flowers. This powdery shade is beautiful with pastel green, pink, and blue in a nursery but also feels classic and fresh in a Deco dining room, paired with silver metallics.
#7. Mystical Grape 2071-30
Because of its decadent symbolism, purple can seem best used in dramatic, nostalgic interiors. However, lush purples also work well in contemporary spaces if you’re willing to take a risk.
Combine Mystical Grape with other juicy shades and organic forms for an utterly modern and playful vibe.
#8. Kasbah AF-640
Kasbah is a revelation — an earthy purple that works well with the rich, organic tones currently trending.
With notes of plum and mocha, Kasbah has a delightful brown undertone that works perfectly with rich antique woods, plush textures of tapestry and faded rugs, and cozy armchairs.
Best Behr Purple Paint Colors
Purple is the ideal color for expressing personality and creativity in your home. Purple will create the required atmosphere if you want an ethereal bedroom or a jewel-toned eclectic living room.
Try one of these perfect purples from Behr.
#9. Foxglove M550-3
One of Behr’s top six most popular purples, Foxglove is a gentle dusty purple, leaning towards a bluish lavender rather than pinkish mauve. It has a soothing, refined effect that marries well with classic and traditional interiors.
However, this is no stuffy grandmother’s lavender: the breezy shade adds a modern freshness that works beautifully with contemporary grays, tans, and whites.
#10. Twinberry MQ1-14
I’m in love with this lavish burgundy with its deep berry undertones. Like a glass of magnificent wine, Twinberry is a rich, decadent jewel tone that will transform your living or dining room into an eighteenth-century boudoir.
Heavy drapes and velvet armchairs are compulsory, as is a sparkling chandelier.
#11. Artful Magenta T17-14
Purple is said to stimulate conversation, and Artful Magenta will make any room a talking point. Another purple that leans towards red, Artful Magenta is a rich, vivid shade with a hint of pink.
This bold, dynamic color is utterly luxurious, so enjoy it in an eclectic living room with accents of teal and gold.
#12. King’s Court P560-7
King’s Court is purple at its most royal and courtly. This rich, deep purple leans slightly blue and makes a bold statement.
Choose this color if you’re not afraid of intense color, even if you limit it to an accent wall. Pair with black and white for maximum impact.
Final Thoughts
Purple has long held associations with magic, power, and decadence, so has never been the most obvious choice for decorating. While darker plums, aubergines, and magentas are dramatic, statement options for living or dining rooms, paler tones of lilac, lavender, and wisteria are elegant, charming, and easy to incorporate in a bedroom. Step out of your comfort zone and try one of these top purple paint colors.
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