Porch ceilings painted haint blue are as Southern as pecan pie, simply beautiful, and believed by some to keep away bad energy … and bugs, too. I absolutely love mine and am happy to share some of the history and the best haint blue colors to consider for your own porch glow-up.
My Porch Ceiling Makeover
Ever since I became a Southern homeowner, I've wanted a porch with a haint blue ceiling. I finally had the chance to get my blue porch ceiling when we had our exterior trim and shutters updated.
All of the exterior trim and the porch ceiling used to be a light yellow, and all of the shutters were hunter green. That gave the porch a yellow glow. Not my vibe!
It's hard to tell from photos how yellow it really was, but it was definitely a buttery yellow.
I picked Benjamin Moore Simply White for the walls and window trim, the same as the trim on the rest of my house. Ahhh! It's so crisp and clean.
I chose Sea Salt by Sherwin Williams for the ceilings. First, I love the color, and second, I already had the paint on hand! I also love our beadboard ceiling, which feels so Southern and traditional. The ceiling fan looks even better against the blue.
You may not even notice the ceiling is blue, but it's exactly the look I've always wanted for my haint blue porch ceiling. Our living room is on the other side of this wall of windows, and I didn't want a strong blue cast in there. We already have navy walls in the room, so that's plenty of blue!
Since painting the back porch, we've bought some new patio furniture, including these beautiful glider rocking chairs and a wicker sofa. We added a bistro table and chairs, which we use mostly in spring and fall.
I also swapped the old porch rug for this lovely blue one, and we adore the new block print outdoor pillows on the sofa. It took me about 4 years to get this space exactly how I wanted it. So remember, when you see a transformed space, it takes time, money and lots of patience to get it there!
Why do Southerners paint their porch ceilings blue?
If you're wondering "What in the world is a haint blue ceiling?", that's a fair question, especially if you're not from the South or familiar with the culture and folklore. Here's a bit of background on why this color appears on so many Southern porches.
Early Gullah tradition held that the blue color could ward off "haints," or evil spirits. The Gullah people are descendants of Africans enslaved in the Lowcountry region, mainly in South Carolina and Georgia. You'll see a LOT of these porches in the gorgeous architecture throughout Charleston and Savannah.
The word "haint" comes from the Gullah word for "haunt" or "spirit," and they believed spirits couldn't cross water. Following that belief, painting things a watery blue was meant to trick the spirits into seeing water and stop them in their tracks.
Today, blue porch ceilings have grown well beyond superstition into a much-loved design choice for many homeowners. I get it. I'm in no way superstitious, but I'm definitely into gorgeous light blue shades and Southern traditions!
These colors blend well with nature and bring a soothing calm to outdoor spaces. Many shades create an illusion of extended daylight, making your front porch, back porch or veranda feel light and inviting all year long.
But really, does haint blue repel bugs?
Some people say haint blue paint is preferred because it repels insects like wasps and spiders. The theory is that it keeps spiders and other pests away from the porch ceiling by tricking them into thinking it's a blue sky. I question spiders' intellectual capabilities, but you never know. I will say I've noticed fewer cobwebs in the corners of my back patio since we painted it haint blue. At least their instincts seem to be spot on!
Classic Southern architecture is best known for its elegant, distinctive features, such as grand columns, large porches or verandas, and symmetrical design. A lot has changed over the years, but we've held onto many of those features in modern home designs. People didn't have the pest control options we have now, and buggy Southern summers can still be a challenge. Then and now, nobody wants to skip porch sitting and sweet tea sipping because of bugs!
So … I think there's some truth to the insect repellent theory.
What is the best haint blue paint color?
The originators of the haint blue tradition made their paints from natural materials, relying on crushed indigo to get shades of blue-green. With access to just about every color of the rainbow today, haint blue can be any shade of blue-green or teal. It really depends on your taste and what works best with your color scheme.
If you want a more pronounced blue that's still a pastel, look at Palladian Blue by Benjamin Moore. I even compared Sea Salt vs. Palladian Blue when I was painting my kitchen in my last house. While I ultimately preferred Sea Salt for that kitchen and for my current porch ceiling, both are popular choices for haint blue porch ceilings.
I highly recommend testing paint colors before you paint anything on the ceiling. This lets you see the color with your wall color, furniture, flooring and lighting. I love these peel & stick samples, which are made with real paint and don't make a mess!
- Sherwin Williams Rainwashed SW 6211 (Get your peel & stick sample here.)
- Sherwin Williams Atmospheric SW 6505 (Get your peel & stick sample here.)
- Sherwin Williams Lauren's Surprise SW 6791
- Sherwin Williams Tradewind SW 6218 (Get your peel & stick sample here.)
- Sherwin Williams Sea Salt SW 6204 (Get your peel & stick sample here.)
- Sherwin Williams Pool Blue SW 2052-50 (Get your peel & stick sample here.)
- Sherwin Williams Topsail SW 6217 (Get your peel & stick sample here.)
- Sherwin Williams Niebla Azul SW 9137 (Get your peel & stick sample here.)
- Benjamin Moore Palladian Blue HC-144 (Get your peel & stick sample here.)
- Benjamin Moore Wythe Blue HC-143 (Get your peel & stick sample here.)
- Benjamin Moore Smoke 2122-40 (Get your peel & stick sample here.)
- Benjamin Moore Woodlawn Blue (Get your peel & stick sample here.)
- Behr Sky Light View
- Farrow & Ball Parma Gray No. 27 (Get your peel & stick sample here.)
Where can I buy haint blue paint?
Including the color I chose, here are the best haint blue paint colors grouped by manufacturer. You'll find links for each shade so you can buy haint blue paint in any of these options wherever these brands are sold.
Haint Blue Paint Colors by Sherwin Williams
These Sherwin Williams haint blue picks range from muted, understated choices to vibrant, deeper cool blues.
Rainwashed by Sherwin Williams
The soft blue-green of Rainwashed feels calming and cool, a refreshing shade that lives up to its name and the feeling you get after a good soaking rain following days of drought.
Lauren's Surprise by Sherwin Williams
Lauren's Surprise is fresh and vibrant, full of youthful energy, and it gives off a playful charm the moment guests step up to your door.
Atmospheric by Sherwin Williams
Atmospheric looks a lot like the pale blue skies of early spring. Can you picture lounging on that sofa in the middle of winter, warmed by the fire and glancing up to be reminded that April is just around the corner?
Tradewind by Sherwin Williams
Tradewind is so airy, it feels like a cool breeze. On this front porch ceiling, it contrasts nicely with the bright, pure white on the trim.
Sea Salt by Sherwin Williams
I picked this one partly for convenience, since I already had the paint on hand. I knew I loved the color, so I was happy to carry it outside to my porch ceiling. The color reads very light in sunlight, so if you want a very subtle haint blue, this is a perfect choice!
Pool Blue by Sherwin Williams
If you want a beachy, bolder haint blue, Pool Blue may be the perfect match. It instantly brings to mind those first days of swim season when you finally dip your toes into the pool. Few things say summer better, especially when you're missing it during the other seasons.
Topsail by Sherwin Williams
A soft, muted blue with green undertones, Topsail brings a touch of coastal charm to your porch ceiling. Think beachside cottages and lazy summer afternoons beside a calm waterfront.
Niebla Azul by Sherwin Williams
Niebla Azul is a rich, saturated slate blue with a relaxed, calming vibe and a hint of intrigue.
Haint Blue Paint Colors by Benjamin Moore
Benjamin Moore also offers a good number of great options for finding the perfect haint blue shade for your porch.
Palladian Blue by Benjamin Moore
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Autumn Carfagna (@oursweetmagnoliafarm)
This light, soft blue leans a little green. Benjamin Moore compares it to clear skies and flecks of mother-of-pearl.
Wythe Blue by Benjamin Moore
Wythe Blue is part of Benjamin Moore's Williamsburg Collection, inspired by the classic colors of historic colonial architecture. It brings timeless elegance to this long Southern tradition.
Smoke by Benjamin Moore
Smoke is a sophisticated, muted blue-gray with an understated elegance that suits many design styles, from modern to traditional. Remember that you can play with tinting to match your space, even once you've landed on a favorite hue. The example above shows Smoke at only 75% intensity, which the homeowner chose for a more airy feel.
Woodlawn Blue by Benjamin Moore
Woodlawn Blue has the look of a raw aquamarine crystal. It reminds me of the ocean, yet its saturation feels grounding.
Harbor Haze by Benjamin Moore
Harbor Haze is a soothing, muted, versatile blue with a hint of green that works well with bright whites and grays. It definitely reminds me of misty coastal mornings.
Haint Blue Paint by Other Manufacturers
While Sherwin Williams and Benjamin Moore carry most of my favorite haint blue porch paints, I'd be remiss not to point you toward these two lovely shades from Behr and Farrow & Ball!
Sky Light View by Behr
This pale, barely-there blue of Sky Light View mirrors a cloudless sky for a light, weightless feel as you relax on your porch or veranda.
Parma Gray No. 27 by Farrow & Ball
Farrow & Ball's Parma Gray No. 27 may be called gray, yet it has distinctly blue tones. It offers a contemporary twist on traditional haint blue shades for a chic, modern look.
Final Thoughts
Haint blue porch ceilings are more than just a pretty feature. They're a timeless Southern tradition with a rich history and so many gorgeous shades to suit your style. Whether you prefer the soothing tones of Rainwashed, the vibrant charm of Pool Blue or the modern elegance of Parma Gray, I hope you've found your match for haint blue paint here.
Let me know if you've done this project and discovered another great shade we all need to know about!
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