When you walk into a space and immediately feel joy, it’s often the color that does the talking. The Green Gamble is a lakeside cabin bursting with personality—where every corner tells a story of comfort, contrast, and charm. If you’re dreaming up a cozy, colorful interior or giving your space a fresh take on color, this colorful interior paint guide will walk you through how bold paint choices can bring any interior to life—and tip you off to some tried-and-true hues.

Let’s be real: color can be intimidating. But here’s the truth—you can always repaint. I took plenty of risks in this house, dialed some of the original ideas back, and followed the energy of the space every step of the way. The result is a colorful interior that feels joyful, warm, and unapologetically personal.

Let’s take a tour, room by room.

Main Living Floor: Balanced Boldness

Walls & Ceiling: Manchester Tan (Benjamin Moore HC-81) – A soft, warm beige that sets a calm foundation.

Trim, Spindles, and Doors: Leap Frog (Sherwin-Williams SW6431) – A bright, cheerful green that feels perfectly at home in the woods.

Stair Risers: Runner – Drylock Extreme Concrete and Masonry Waterproofer in Sky Blue; Base – Manchester Tan

Bathroom: Lanquid Blue (Sherwin-Williams SW6226) – A tranquil, lake-inspired hue that wraps the space in calm.

Fireplace: Custom

Built-Ins: White Duck (Sherwin-Williams SW7010) – A soft, creamy greige with warm undertones.

Kitchen Cabinets: Ceremonial Gold (Sherwin-Williams SW6382) – A rich marigold yellow with a golden glow.

When you first step inside The Green Gamble, you’re immediately greeted by a fresh combination of warm cream and vibrant green. Green spindles catch the eye and pull you into a stairwell that boasts a hand-painted blue runner, setting the tone for the bold, layered color story ahead. It’s an entrance that doesn’t whisper—it sings.

This level is where the cabin’s personality hits you first. The marigold kitchen cabinets are sunshine in cabinetry form, paired with a white countertop, a coordinating green mug shelf, and a maroon hand-painted cabinet.

Wood tones—from the giant farmhouse table to the simple dining chairs—keep everything grounded. Thoughtfully chosen rugs, vintage accents, and colorful textiles full of playful patterns layer in even more personality, bringing warmth and a sense of joy to the space. Every piece of furniture and decor was selected to complement and enhance the paint palette, turning the main living floor into a cozy, cheerful celebration of color.

The main floor bedroom is a playful nod to vintage lake life, brought to life with creamy neutral walls and energetic pops of color. Framed by vibrant Leap Frog green trim, the space instantly feels lively yet grounded. A bold green metal bed sets the tone, dressed in a crisp, checkered quilt with red and blue accents that add a punch of Americana charm. Nautical flags, vintage signage, and collected memorabilia on the walls reinforce the character-rich story of the home, while the warm wood floors and sloped ceiling keep the space cozy and cottage-like. A blue trunk at the foot of the bed adds practical storage and color contrast, tying in with the room’s playful attitude.

The main floor bathroom is a charming burst of blue, wrapped in Lanquid Blue-painted shiplap and anchored by vintage-inspired blue and white checkerboard tile in the shower. A soft brass faucet and wavy mirror add elegance and warmth, while a wood vanity and marble countertop bring in balance and natural texture. A subtle floral tile inset adds a nostalgic touch to this serene, stylish space.

SIDENOTE: If you want to see the before and afters of this cabin remodel, check it out on makingtheroom.com. It’ll certainly be worth your time.

The Basement: Playful and Practical

Walls: White Duck (Sherwin-Williams SW7010) – A clean, airy neutral that keeps things light.

Trim: Lanquid Blue (SW6431) – Continues the lake vibe downstairs.

Bunk Room: Leap Frog ceiling, Lanquid Blue trim, White Duck walls – A fresh flip of the color story.

Guest Suite: White Duck walls with Red Bay (Sherwin-Williams SW6321) trim and ceiling – Rich and unexpected.

Full Bath: White Duck walls and ceiling with Manchester Tan trim – Subtle and warm.

Basement Floor: Drylock Concrete Floor Paint in Sky Blue

The basement is where the cabin lets its hair down. It’s a casual, family-friendly zone that trades a bit of polish for pure fun. The blue-painted concrete floors immediately make you feel like you’re dipping your toes into the lake. Playful layers of marigold, hunter green, and gingham blue patterns in the furnishings and decor echo the colors from upstairs, bringing cohesion with a youthful twist.

The bunk room features green-painted bunks dressed in navy windowpane plaid and cream linens printed with little green fish.

The laundry room is compact but colorful, with saturated walls and trim that turn a mundane task into a moment.

In the living space, comfy seating, colorful wall art, and playful touches—like the oversized hand-painted mallard duck on the concrete wall—keep things lighthearted.

Then there’s the lakefront guest suite—a space that balances bold and calm with just the right amount of drama. White Duck walls open up the space while Red Bay trim and ceiling drench it in rich, vibrant warmth that nods to the home’s original exterior palette. A charming scalloped trim adds a sense of vintage whimsy that makes this room feel special and unexpected.

The adjoining bathroom continues the thoughtful color story. While the natural instinct was to carry that deep red into the ensuite, we pivoted. The bathroom features marigold tile that steals the show—so the trim was softened with Manchester Tan to let the sunshine do its thing without clashing. It’s functional, beautiful, and bright without being overpowering.

Despite all the color, the use of natural textures keeps it grounded. A mix of vintage and practical furnishings makes this floor a go-to spot for games, rainy days, and fishing storytelling sessions.

Top Floor: Character with Calm

Sitting Room: Polaris Blue (Benjamin Moore 1648) – A heartwarming blue used top to bottom.

Hallways & Bathroom: White Duck (SW7010) – Keeps transitions feeling clean and fresh.

Master Bedroom: Just Rosey (PPG 1061-4) – A full-on color commitment that’s soft, romantic, and warm.

This floor holds the biggest color swing in the house—Just Rosey is used floor to ceiling in the bedroom. But the effect is cozy and rich, especially with wood French doors and a natural wood bed that help keep the feminine color grounded. Layered textiles in dusty rose, hunter green stripe, and ivory textures bring warmth and softness to the space without overwhelming it.

The sitting room is a retreat all its own. Wrapped in Polaris Blue from floor to ceiling, it feels like you’ve stepped into a cool, calm hideaway. A classic plaid couch in navy, hunter, and maroon tones invites you to sink in, while a scalloped-edge jute rug and antique wooden desk add vintage character. This room doubles as a reading nook, an office, and an overflow sleeping area—making it just as functional as it is beautiful.

Exterior: Nature-Inspired and Statement-Making

Siding & Trim: Roycroft Bottle Green (Sherwin-Williams SW2847) – Deep, earthy green that blends beautifully into the wooded lakeside landscape.

Canoe, Porch Rails, Window Frames: Sundried Tomato (Sherwin-Williams SW7585) – A rich maroon that adds warmth, depth, and vintage charm.

The exterior of The Green Gamble honors the home’s roots while making it undeniably ours. We chose to keep the original color palette we first fell in love with—hunter green siding and warm maroon trim—and simply gave it a much-needed refresh. These tones were what initially drew us in as we paddled past and caught our first glimpses through the trees, and it didn’t make sense to change what already worked so beautifully with the natural setting.

The siding’s rich green hue complements the wooded backdrop, while the maroon accents on the porch and window trim bring a touch of charm and vintage appeal. The upside-down canoe over the front door gives an instant nod to lake life and lets visitors know they’ve arrived somewhere special.

We extended the same palette to the barn, repainting it Roycroft Bottle Green to create cohesion across the property. Natural wood decks and exterior doors soften the bold tones and make the transition from the outdoors to indoors feel seamless and grounded.

Tips for Using Color Fearlessly

Don’t Be Shy with Saturation: Sometimes, going all-in is the right move—especially in small spaces.

Let Neutrals Anchor the Energy: Colors like White Duck and Manchester Tan help bolder hues enter without chaos.

Patterns Are Your Wingmen: Gingham, plaid, and vintage textiles keep things classic and grounded.

Mix in Texture: Wood walls, reclaimed wood floors, and natural accents—all of it adds richness to colorful rooms.

Listen to Your House: Not every home wants to be a rainbow. But when it does, don’t hold back.

Your Colorful Interior Paint Guide: Paint Color Index by Floor

Main Floor

Walls & Ceiling: Manchester Tan (BM HC-81)

Trim, Spindles, Doors: Leap Frog (SW6431)

Exterior Doors: Minwax Early American Stain

Bathroom: Lanquid Blue (SW6226)

Basement

Main Living: Walls & Ceilings – White Duck (SW7010), Trim – Lanquid Blue (SW6226), Doors – Minwax Early American Stain

Bunk Room: Walls – White Duck (SW7010), Trim – Lanquid Blue (SW6226), Ceiling – Leap Frog (SW6431), Doors – Minwax Early American Stain

Laundry Room: Walls – Leap Frog (SW6431), Trim – Lanquid Blue

Guest Suite: Walls – White Duck (SW7010), Trim & Ceiling – Red Bay (SW6321), Doors – Minwax Early American Stain

Top Floor

Sitting Room: Polaris Blue (BM 1648)

Master Bedroom: Trim, Walls, & Ceiling – Just Rosey (PPG 1061-4), Doors – Minwax Early American Stain

Hall & Bathroom: White Duck (SW7010)

Exterior

Siding & Trim: Roycroft Bottle Green (SW2847)

Window Panes & Porches: Sundried Tomato (SW7585)

Doors: Minwax Early American Stain

The Bottom Line on Colorful Interiors

Color is personal, emotional, and a little bit outside the box. If you’re planning a remodel—or just need a nudge to go bolder—take this as permission to lean in and use this colorful interior paint guide as a resource. Try the risky hue or simply use one from my palette. Bring joy into your home one color at a time.

Need help figuring out what colors belong in your space? Reach out—I’d love to help you bring it to life.