Behr’s 2023 Color of the Year, Blank Canvas, Can Transform Any Space Into Its Namesake

We’ve seen the Coastal Grandma vignettes; the elevated ambiance of a room doused in layers of neutrals. It’s mood-boosting, minimalist and tranquil. It allows us to relax and unwind long enough to ease our (ever-buzzing) minds — which is precisely what the creatives at Behr Paint had in mind when they chose a warm white, Blank Canvas (DC-003), as the 2023 Color of the Year.

Oozing with wellness, comfort and nostalgia, Blank Canvas speaks to fresh starts, sanctuary-like spaces and overall happiness. (What more could we ever ask for?) It’s one of 30 calming colors that make up Behr’s recently-released Designer Collection — a tried-and-true palette of the brand’s best neutrals, whites and accent colors.

“White is key to individual style, simply because it's so easy to bring in other colors, textures, patterns and materials, and really individualize this color,” says Erika Woelfel, Vice President of Color and Creative Services at Behr Paint. “It’s classic.”

In a nutshell, vintage-y Blank Canvas transforms any space into its namesake: a clean background apt for endless design possibilities.

Create Your Canvas

If you’re craving the serenity of an at-home sanctuary — which, Behr says 92 percent of homeowners in the U.S. these days are — we’ve got you covered. We asked our savviest design editors how they’d use Blank Canvas.

“Anything but vanilla, this warm white is a can't-miss choice to cozy up any room,” says HGTV Managing Editor, Camille Smith. “Like a blank sheet, this versatile shade provides a clean — but not cold — backdrop to any space and will work with any design style. Whether your aesthetic is more-is-more maximal or you lean minimal, consider Blank Canvas your new go-to white.”

Noelle Paredes, the Digital Editor at HGTV Magazine, touts warm white as her go-to shade. “I love color, but I have trouble committing to one,”' she says. “Neutral walls let me play around with color in other, less permanent ways — like pillows, throws and art. If you're a color-lover with commitment issues like me, try warm white walls. You can’t go wrong with a neutral base.”

Other ways to work Blank Canvas into your designs: pair it with deep black accents for cool contrast; try it on cabinets with matte brass hardware for subtle shine; or layer up soft accessories, like pillows and throws, in various neutrals for a monochromatic look. Your personal sanctuary can be any tucked-away space in your home or apartment; even that unused corner of your laundry room.

Really, it's simple: Imagine your space as a blank canvas … and just go for it.