Erin Napier's Rule For Choosing Paint Makes So Much Sense

If you're currently drowning in paint color options, don't throw in the towel quite yet. Erin Napier of HGTV's "Home Town" has a single tip that will make your process so much easier. Known for her ability to curate cozy, lived-in homes, Napier is an expert in using paint to create a welcoming space. No matter what shade she chooses, there's one clever hack that remains consistent among many of her best projects — and it all comes down to yellow undertones.

On her Laurel Mercantile blog, she shared her expertise: "Choose whatever color you like that has a bit of yellow in it to make the color feel integrated and truly part of its environment instead of too new, too bright, not quite right, and out of place. It is so subtle, but an important delineation between a house that's comfortable in its color vs. a house that's squeaky." Whether you choose a yellow-toned white or green with a touch of mustard, warm undertones will make your home look inviting and lived-in. Slightly muted, yellowed paint is an unexpected feature that instantly gives any room a vintage feel.

When it comes to choosing the best color palette for a vintage decor aesthetic, Napier's advice is crucial. If you are just starting the decorating process, it's important to research how to maximize the use of warm colors in your interior design plans. Your walls aren't the only area that can benefit from a hint of yellow. Stark white furniture or ultra-saturated decor without a muted yellow touch can look out of place in a heritage-style home. Choose furniture with a subtle warm shift for a unified look.

Warm-toned neutral paint colors are currently trending, only further proving the popularity of Napier's theory. Beyond warm neutrals, there are several other top-trending colors that may have more yellow than you'd expect. For example, clay red is currently preferred over cooler, purple-toned red. Although earthy and warm hues are currently taking over the design world, you don't have to curate a space composed of entirely organic tones. Just toning down your colors with a warm shift is enough to make your interior look cozy and on-trend.