Haint blue is the term for a range of light blue paint colors originally used by enslaved Gullah Geechee people to paint porch ceilings in the American South. These versatile light blue shades can also be used on exterior shutters, window trim, and doors, or inside for bedrooms, bathrooms, laundry rooms, kitchens, and more.
Check out some of our favorite haint blue paint colors for inspiration.
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01
of 16Haint Blue Porch Ceiling
Paint your porch ceiling haint blue as a nod to tradition or to elevate a modern space. Pair with white accents on porch beams and trim for a fresh coastal feel.
Paint suggestion: Porch Ceiling by Sherwin-Williams
What does haint mean?
Haint is a Gullah word meaning ghost. This English-based creole language was developed in the 18th and 19th centuries by enslaved African-Americans living mainly in coastal South Carolina, Georgia, and the Sea Islands along the Atlantic coast.
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02
of 16Haint Blue Accent Wall
Give a neutral bedroom a hint of color with a haint blue accent wall. Add some picture frame molding to the wall before painting to create dimension.
Paint suggestion: Atmospheric by Sherwin-Williams
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03
of 16Airy Haint Blue Bathroom
Choose a light shade of haint blue to give your bathroom a light and airy feel that is less stark than pure white. Pair with pale stone finishes and gold accents.
Paint suggestion: Borrowed Light by Farrow & Ball
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04
of 16Haint Blue Family Room
Mix haint blue walls with deeper shades of blue on furnishings or rugs. Pair with earthy brown upholstery and wood tones and landscape photography in white frames for an organic modern feel.
Paint suggestion: Headspace by Clare
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05
of 16Haint Blue Kitchen Cabinets
Complement a coastal kitchen with a mix of white and haint blue paint finishes. Choose warm gold-toned kitchen hardware to add contrast with the cool and breezy cabinet color.
Paint suggestion: Soft Sky by Benjamin Moore
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06
of 16Haint Blue Covered Porch
Design by Crisp Architects / Photo by Rob Karosis
You can paint your front porch, side porch, screen porch, or back porch haint blue. Install recessed lighting, pendant lighting, or a ceiling fan with integrated lighting to illuminate the space.
Paint suggestion: Breath of Fresh Air by Benjamin Moore
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07
of 16Pale Haint Blue Bedroom
Create a soothing backdrop for your bedroom with delicate haint blue wall paint. The airy color will allow colorful art and decor to pop, from a bright yellow table lamp to a curvy graphic headboard or gallery wall.
Paint suggestion: First Light by Glidden
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08
of 16Haint Blue Laundry Room
Paint your laundry room cabinets in a soft shade of haint blue for a refreshing feel. Warm it up with wood and woven accents.
Paint suggestion: Sea Salt by Sherwin-Williams
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09
of 16Cool Haint Blue Bathroom
Select a cool mid-toned sky blue to create an enveloping feel. Pair it with vintage accents like a Venetian mirror and a sink skirt for a romantic look.
Paint suggestion: Atmospheric by Sherwin-Williams
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10
of 16Rustic Porch Ceilings
Design by Crisp Architects / Photo by Rob Karosis
Balance dark wood flooring and a rustic fireplace with haint blue ceilings. Install a flush-mount fixture and recessed lighting to enhance the blue sky effect.
Paint suggestion: Light Blue by Benjamin Moore
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11
of 16Farmhouse Kitchen Cabinets
Pair cool haint blue upper and lower cabinetry with white stone countertops and chrome finishes to complement a farmhouse kitchen. Choose warm hardwood flooring for a rustic contrast.
Paint suggestion: Aqua Sparkle by PPG Paints
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12
of 16Haint Blue Paint and Tile
Haint blue can veer toward green, making it perfect for a relaxing bathroom. Match haint blue wall paint to an airy patterned tile in a similar shade to complement a traditional space like this Edwardian-style London bathroom.
Paint suggestion: Rainwashed by Sherwin-Williams (SW 6211)
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13
of 16Modern Haint Blue Bedroom
dekohem / Christopher Lee Foto
Wash your bedroom walls in haint blue paint to promote tranquility. Complement the breezy color with honey-toned wood accents for a balanced mix of cool and warm tones.
Paint suggestion: Cumulus Cotton by Benjamin Moore
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14
of 16Haint Blue Kitchen Accents
Lighten up a kitchen finished with natural wood and dramatic stone by using haint blue paint as an accent. Apply it to a few choice spots—like the range hood and the door frames—to create contrast.
Paint suggestion: Spur by Paint & Paper Library
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15
of 16Haint Blue Bedroom
@miracleonthirtyfourth / Instagram
Energize a traditional bedroom with haint blue paint. Pair with dark wood furniture and a matching headboard and curtains in a golden yellow patterned fabric for a cozy feel.
Paint used: Nairobi Blue by Clare
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16
of 16Open Porch With Haint Blue
Design by Crisp Architects / Photo by Rob Karosis
Cover an open porch ceiling in a light blue-green shade of haint blue to complement a view of green hills and blue skies. The color will blend in beautifully with cloud white trim and pale yellow siding for a nature-inspired look.
Paint suggestion: Dix Blue by Farrow & Ball
