Ideas for craftsman style paint colors
Inspirations
See the six hues hand-selected by our color experts that reflect the earthy yet elegant nature of Craftsman style.
Introduced at the turn of the 20th century, Craftsman style provided a stark contrast to the Victorian era opulence of the industrial age. Influenced by the simple beauty of nature and a focus on hand-crafted high quality, Craftsman style evokes a classic character that endures today.
Our timeless Craftsman color palette continues in the tradition of this iconic style with sage, russet brown, greige, two off-white hues, and an alluring blue-green.
“Use the warm, earthy tones of the Craftsman paint color palette to recreate the timeless aesthetic of Craftsman design in your home—whatever its style!” Molly Lynch, Color & Design Expert
The Craftsman Exterior
The classic Craftsman home includes low-pitched triangular roofs, elegant, tapered columns, large windows and a spacious front porch. California Craftsman homes tend towards Japanese architectural influences.
Some of our favorite Craftsman exterior paint colors include:
- Green Paint Colors: Soft Fern 2144-40, Louisburg Green HC-113, and Wethersfield Moss HC-110
- Blue Paint Colors: Smoke 2122-40, November Skies 2128-50, and Amsterdam AF-550
- Red Paint Colors: Georgian Brick HC-50, Hodley Red HC-65, and Audubon Russet HC-51
- Taupe Paint Colors: Smokey Taupe 983, Revere Pewter HC-172, and Sag Harbor Gray HC-95, shown here.
- Black Paint Colors: Raccoon Fur 2126-20, Flint AF-560, and Black Beauty 2128-10
Let nature be your guide: Craftsman home color schemes always harmonize with their natural environment.
Craftsman Open Floor Plan
What architectural elements are found in a Craftsman Style house? Exposed ceiling beams, centerpiece fireplaces, and a surfeit of natural materials, to name just a few.
A modern twist on the Craftsman interior comes via the airy, welcoming nature of an open floor plan. Cloud White OC-130, from our Craftsman paint color palette, envelops this lodge-like space in calm on walls, trim, doors and ceiling shiplap. Add a swath of color with an accent wall seen here in Fantasy Blue 716 from the Benjamin Moore Classics® collection.
Other off-whites we love for Craftsman open floor plans include White Dove OC-17, Acadia White OC-38, and Calm OC-22. Check out the Benjamin Moore Off White Collection for more inspiration.
Natural Accents Against White Hues
Intentionally exposed beams, brackets, rafters, and stone are classic Craftsman elements. In this living space, rich, natural wood trusses make a design statement against walls and ceiling in Soft Chamois OC-13.
Take some time to understand the nuances of white paint colors so that it synchs effortlessly with decorative elements—including natural light—in your space:
- Warm whites include red, orange, yellow undertones—see Pink Damask OC-72, Pompeii OC-82, and Mayonnaise OC-85.
- Cool whites include green, blue, violet undertones—see Distant Gray OC-68, Decorator’s White OC-149, and White Wisp OC-54.
And remember to use color samples to test wall color—even white—in all lighting conditions.
The Beloved Built-Ins of Craftsman Style
Benches, window seats, bookcases: Built-in furnishings in bungalows and Craftsman homes are not only classic design mainstays, they also optimize small space.
Consider highlighting your built-ins by using the same paint color on trim and ceiling. Here, Overcast OC-43, an off-white with a subdued green undertone, pairs effortlessly with Manor Blue 1627 walls. Check out other harmonious color pairing ideas in our analogous and monochromatic color scheme articles.
Natural stone is another key element of Craftsman style. You can emulate the look of cool stone with the right gray colors: Consider Silver Half Dollar 2121-40, Steel Wool 2121-20, and Stone 2112-40 in your home design.
Hearth & Home: The Craftsman Fireplace
Fireplaces are an important part of the Craftsman home. Whether working or not, fireplaces are focal points. For non-working fireplaces, nestle flowers, mirrors, or baskets for warmth and personalization. The power of the just-right color on the mantel and surround—here, soft, sandy Natural Linen 966 does the trick—enhances the design impact.
In this eclectic space, doors and trim in herbaceous High Park CC-620 pop against white Steam AF-15, from our mix-and-match Affinity® Collection. The stone wall adds the ultimate Craftsman touch.
Want to paint all-natural brick? Good news: You can! We’ve even got a step-by-step video to show you how.