I enjoyed this Sarah Richardson video and thought you might too. It’s inspiring to see creative, unexpected ways to use different paint colors and shades across rooms and in open-concept spaces. Sarah also shares practical tips on where to begin.
I’ve been having a lot of fun experimenting with paint, varying colors from room to room and even using multiple shades within a single room. Although my home isn’t a fully open concept, the main living areas flow together without doors, so color choices affect adjoining spaces.
Sarah Richardson
In my open kitchen-family room I’ve used four different wall and ceiling colors plus the kitchen cabinet color, so there are five distinct paint layers. If you look through the opening toward the dining room you can spot a sixth color. Small shifts in hue help define each area while keeping a cohesive look.
The photo above shows one way I’ve divided color in the family room. I’ll share a dedicated post about those updates soon, including more photos and details about placement and coordination.
While the current trend often favors painting everything white, I appreciate Sarah Richardson’s approach and her encouragement to layer color. Using different paints in adjoining spaces or even within a single room can add warmth, depth, and personality. If that feels bold, at least I’m in good company.
Sarah Richardson
PS: I’m working on a full paint-color post for my house and will publish it soon. Many readers ask for the exact colors I used, and I want to be sure I list them accurately. There are a lot of variations throughout the home, and I’m double-checking each shade so I don’t mislabel anything.
Confession: I’m notorious for changing my mind during paint testing and ending up with more samples than sense, so I’ve accidentally given out the wrong color name before. This time I’ll be careful—no misleading paint names!
Enjoy the video!
Have you tried layering paint colors in a room? Share what worked for you.