11 Best Limewash Paint Colors, According to Designers

Add a modern spin on old-world elegance with this timeless wall finish.

The limewash paint trend celebrates a centuries-old paint finish whose unique texture and aged patina give it a timeless quality. Over the last few years, limewash paint has become a popular option for infusing modern interiors with old-world elegance. Although you'll often see the finish in neutral shades, it looks just as striking in dark and moody hues.

If you want to give a builder-grade room a custom-designed makeover, opt for this popular wall treatment. "Limewash paint is a great way to create an affordable and substantial visual upgrade to a space, adding depth and a textural look", says Joshua Dunn, co-founder of James Alexander Specialty Paints.

In addition to its ability to elevate a space, limewash paint is incredibly versatile, meaning it can be used with just about any design style. "It functions for a range of options, from color-drenching full rooms to an accent wall feature," Dunn says. It's as cozy as it is sophisticated, providing an extra layer of visual interest behind artwork and furniture, or standing alone as an accent wall.

Related: Types of Paint: A Guide to Paint Finishes and Surfaces

What Is Limewash Paint?

First used in the Roman empire, the putty-like paint is made from crushed limestone. Rather than producing a solid hue like a traditional paint color, limewash adds color while creating a texture that adds depth. When it dries, the paint produces a chalky matte finish that softens walls and instantly breathes a romantic, historic-like feel into a space.

Thanks to odorless, non-toxic formula, the paint trend also offers an environmentally-friendly option for your walls. "As a natural decorative finish, limewash paint ticks many of the boxes for a health and eco-conscious consumer," Dunn says, adding that the product is also reversible and renter-friendly if you need to paint back over it at any point.

If you're ready to give the limewash paint trend a go, choose from these popular shades to get started.

Feather by Portola Paints

Inject a calming energy into your home with Feather by Portola Paints. This light greige hue lends itself well to the textured finish of limewash paint, emphasizing its softness as natural light touches it throughout the day. Use this subtle shade with crisp whites, soft fabrics, and light woods to enhance its airy feel.

Paint Color: Feather by Portola Paints

Cachi by James Alexander Specialty Paints

For the ultimate balance of light and warmth, opt for Cachi from James Alexander Specialty Paints. This peach-tan limewash paint color is warm without being overpowering and creates a lovely backdrop for a tranquil bedroom layered with soft textures and tone-on-tone neutrals. For crisp contrast, use a bright white paint color in a semi-gloss sheen on trim throughout the room, and to create a more immersive experience, consider color drenching the entire space in this inviting hue.

Paint Color: Cachi by James Alexander Specialty Paints

Avorio White by Romabio

Apply a coat of Romabio's Avorio White limewash paint to a brick or stone kitchen backsplash or fireplace surround to soften the space. Use a thin layer of the paint to allow the stones' color variation to show for subtle depth and contrast. Continue the modern aesthetic by pairing the limewashed kitchen backsplash with simple and streamlined cabinetry, matte black hardware, and light wood floating shelves for an open and airy look.

Paint Color: Avorio White by Romabio

Related: 35 White Kitchen Backsplash Ideas

Reservoir by Portola Paints

Add a gentle dose of color with Portola Paints' Reservoir, a cool gray-blue limewash paint color that creates a wispy cloud-like effect. Like an extension of nature, it ushers in a calm feel and a subtle tone variation that serves as a beautiful backdrop for natural textures in the form of wood furniture, woven blinds, and linen bedding.

Paint Color: Reservoir by Portola Paints

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Argilla Francese by James Alexander Specialty Paints

Use Argilla Francese by James Alexander Specialty Paints to set a soft and serene tone perfect for a bedroom retreat. The beige paint color has an earthy, luminescent quality and its soft, textured appearance creates the illusion of subtle movement. It's a versatile shade that can easily be dressed up or down, and for a neutral space that exudes a sophisticated calm, pair it with light woods, layered textures, and live greenery.

Paint Color: Argilla Francese by James Alexander Specialty Paints

Related: 12 Calm Bedroom Paint Colors That Will Soothe You to Sleep

Bianco White by Romabio

Update a brick exterior with Romabio's Bianco White, a limewash paint product that's specially formulated for a variety of masonry surfaces. As an alternative to classic exterior paint, this flat finish gives you the best of both worlds—it brightens dark brick, but can also be distressed to expose some of the original material's color. A limewashed exterior is a great way to boost curb appeal while maintaining a classic and timeless look.

Paint Color: Bianco White by Romabio

Related: The 11 Best Exterior Paints of 2024 to Enhance Your Home’s Curb Appeal

Dry Ground by Portola Paints

Dry Ground by Portola Paints is a beautiful mid-tone greige whose aged patina-like finish contrasts modern furnishings for a high-end look. For an old-meets-new aesthetic, pair this limewash paint color with minimalist furniture, dark trim, and a neutral tone-on-tone color palette.

Paint Color: Dry Ground by Portola Paints

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Carbone by James Alexander Specialty Paints

Pack a design punch with Carbone by James Alexander Specialty Paints. This sophisticated gray-black has a velvety finish that's sure to elevate any space and make a dramatic statement. For an unexpected room feature, use this limewash paint color to highlight a fireplace and add depth and contrast to an otherwise light-colored space.

Paint Color: Carbone by James Alexander Specialty Paints

Related: 21 Before-and-After Fireplace Makeovers that Exude Charm and Style

Amalfi by Vasari

Vasari's Amalfi brings in the romantic, old-world aesthetic that's characteristic of limewash paint. The warm pink hue creates the illusion that the walls have always been there and provides a sophisticated backdrop for a variety of materials, from a stone fireplace to wrought iron light fixtures.

Paint Color: Amalfi by Vasari

Vintage Black by Portola Paints

Go dark and moody with Vintage Black by Portola Paints. It's a dark washed black with a cool undertone that looks stunning against black trim and wall paneling, and juxtaposed with warm mid-tone woods. A deep paint color is a great way to create drama, and the textured finish of limewash paint only enhances the bold design statement.

Paint Color: Vintage Black by Portola Paints

Related: How to Choose the Best Black Paint Colors for Bold, Beautiful Walls

Calcare by James Alexander Specialty Paints

If you want to dip your toes in the limewash paint trend without going bold with color, consider using a creamy white shade such as Calcare by James Alexander Specialty Paints. Inspired by cream-colored limestone, this versatile neutral works with any color palette and design style. It changes with light, appearing bright white at the height of daylight, and warming up and revealing its red undertones when the sun shifts.

Paint Color: Calcare by James Alexander Specialty Paints

Related: 27 Neutral Paint Colors and Tips from Experts On How to Use Them

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