Get Designer Paint Colors for Less

A simple trick for getting designer paint colors at inexpensive hardware store prices.

I get a paint question in my inbox at least once a week. Usually it’s either: “What paint color is in that room?” or “What do you mean you mixed one paint into another?” So here it is, up front: you can have any brand’s designer color mixed into a more affordable paint line at your local hardware store.

For the past couple of years blogging, I assumed everyone already knew this trick. Apparently not. The good news is it’s simple: most stores can match paint colors from popular brands like Benjamin Moore and Sherwin-Williams and mix them into their own, lower-priced formulas. That means you can enjoy designer paint colors without the designer price tag—or the extra errands.

I love designer shades, but often the budget, timing, or logistics don’t allow me to buy directly from those brands. Instead I get the color formula I want—Sherwin-Williams, Benjamin Moore, or another line—then have it matched and mixed into a more affordable brand like Glidden or Valspar at Home Depot or Lowe’s.

There are thousands of color formulas available in paint databases, so you’re not limited to whatever swatches happen to be on the store wall. Walk up to the counter, ask for the specific color name and brand, and they’ll pull the formula to match it into their paint.

After trying many options, Glidden has become my go-to budget pick lately. For example, I had Benjamin Moore’s Moonshine mixed into Glidden—and the price difference per gallon was significant. Occasionally I even snag a rebate on top of the lower cost.

I do appreciate the coverage and finish from Benjamin Moore and Sherwin-Williams, but for most rooms a gallon of the more economical brand does the job. Plus, Robert has perfected painting a room in one coat, so we rarely need more paint than expected.

If this tip was new to you, consider it a small budget-friendly hack for your next painting project—every little saving adds up.

Below is a roundup of the paint colors used throughout our house. I’ve listed the designer color name and the brand we had the color mixed into, so you can replicate the look without overspending. I’ll update this list as we finish a couple of unfinished rooms upstairs.

Guest/Kid’s Bathroom – Sherwin-Williams Sea Salt mixed into Valspar

Sea Salt is my favorite color in the house: calm, clean, and very versatile. It’s a chameleon shade that shifts between green, blue, and gray depending on the light. We also used Benjamin Moore Winter Gates mixed into Valspar for the bathroom cabinets.

Master Bathroom – Sherwin-Williams Pediment mixed into Valspar

Pediment is a reliable light neutral with a nice balance of warm and cool tones—an easy choice when you want something safe and elegant. For the cabinets in this area we used the same Benjamin Moore Winter Gates tone as in the guest bathroom.

Office – Sherwin-Williams Pediment mixed into Valspar

We used leftover Pediment from the master bathroom to refresh the office. It’s a calm, understated choice that keeps the room feeling open and bright, though I sometimes think a deeper color might have been fun.

Master Bedroom – Benjamin Moore Moonshine mixed into Glidden

Moonshine is a very light, peaceful gray that’s ideal for a bedroom—soft and soothing without feeling cold.

Foyer – Sherwin-Williams Pure White mixed into Valspar

Pure White is our go-to white for trim, plank walls, and the fireplace—clean and crisp everywhere we used it.

Olivia’s Bedroom – Benjamin Moore Grey Owl mixed into Sherwin-Williams

Grey Owl is a favorite for its subtle coolness and light gray tone with just a hint of blue. I nearly painted the whole house this color at one point.

Dining Room – Sherwin-Williams Perfect Greige

Perfect Greige turned out a bit darker and more beige than I expected after choosing it quickly during a busy move, but it still looks lovely and shifts with the light—sometimes gray, sometimes warm beige. It covers our living room, kitchen, and breakfast area too.

And a small note: our kitchen chairs are painted Annie Sloan Duck Egg—perfect for neutral-loving folks who still want a whisper of color.

I’ve gathered all these colors in one place so you can pin or save them for future reference. If you want more guidance, check out my tips on choosing paint colors and some time-saving painting pointers in the linked posts below.

Paint color choosing tips

A few painting tips to save time: plan your color and finish in advance, use quality rollers and brushes appropriate for the paint type, and work from top to bottom. If you’re matching a designer color into a budget brand, request a small test pot first to confirm the undertone reads the way you expect in your space.

We still need to paint the laundry room and playroom, so I’m always on the lookout for new colors. What are your favorite paint shades right now? Any colors you’re especially excited about?

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