Best 15 Haint Blue Paint Colors for Porch Ceilings

Porch ceilings with haint blue paint 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 best colors of haint blue paint to consider for your own porch glow-up.

My Porch Ceiling Makeover

As long as I’ve been a Southern homeowner, I’ve wanted a porch with a haint blue ceiling. I found the perfect opportunity to finally get my blue porch ceiling when we had our outside trim and shutters updated.

All of the trim on the outside plus the porch ceiling was a light yellow color. And all of the shutters were hunter-green. This meant the porch had a yellow glow to it. Just not my vibe!

And I know it’s hard to tell how yellow it truly 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 just so crisp and clean.

I chose Sea Salt by Sherwin Williams for the paint on the ceilings. First, I love the color and secondly, I had the paint already! I also love our beadboard ceiling, so Southern and traditional. The ceiling fan even looks better against the blue color.

I know it may be hard to tell that the ceiling is even blue, but it is 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 to have a super blue cast in the living room. We already have navy walls in there, so that’s enough blue!

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Since painting the back porch, we’ve purchased some new patio furniture, which includes these beautiful glider rocking chairs, and wicker sofa. We added the bistro table and chairs set and use it mostly in the spring and fall months.

I’ve also replaced the old porch rug with this beautiful blue rug. And we love 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, just remember what when you see a space transformed, it takes time, money and lots of patience to get it there!

Why do Southerners paint their porch ceilings blue?

And if you’re asking yourself “What in the world is a haint blue ceiling?” that’s also a reasonable question, especially if you’re not from the South or familiar with the culture and folklore. Well, here’s a little background, if you would like to know why this color appears on so many Southern porches. 

The blue color was known in early Gullah tradition to ward off “haints”—or evil spirits. The Gullah people were descendants of Africans enslaved in the Lowcountry region—mainly South Carolina and Georgia. You’ll see a LOT of these porches incorporated into gorgeous architecture throughout Charleston and Savannah.

The word “haint” comes from the Gullah word for “haunt” or “spirit,” and they believed they couldn’t cross water. Continuing that belief, painting things a watery blue color was intended to trick the spirits into seeing water to stop them in their tracks.

Nowadays, blue porch ceilings have become more than just a superstition to become a much-loved design choice for many homeowners. I get it. I’m in no way superstitious but definitely into gorgeous light blue colors and Southern traditions!

The 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 also say the preference for haint blue paint his because it repels insects like wasps and spiders. The idea is it keeps spiders and other pests away from the porch ceiling by tricking them into thinking it’s a blue sky. While I question spiders’ intellectual capabilities, you never know. I will say I have 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 United States architecture is most known for its elegant and distinctive features, such as grand columns, large porches or verandas, and symmetrical design. Much has changed over the years, we’ve hung onto many of those features in many modern home designs. While people didn’t have the many solutions we have now for pest control, buggy Southern summers can still be a challenge. Then and now, no one wants to do much porch sitting and sweet tea sipping without solutions for that! 

So … I think there’s some truth to the insect repellant theory.

What is the best haint blue paint color?

Originators of the haint blue tradition used natural materials to make their paints, relying on crushed indigo to achieve shades of blue-green. With access to just about every color of the rainbow today, haint blue can be just about any shade of blue-green or teal. It really depends on your preference and what works best with your color scheme.

If you want a more pronounced blue that is still a pastel, look at Palladian Blue by Benjamin Moore. I even did a comparison of Sea Salt vs. Palladian Blue when I was painting my kitchen in my last house. While I ultimately preferred Sea Salt for my former kitchen and current porch ceiling, both are popular for haint blue porch ceilings.

I highly recommend testing out paint colors before painting anything on the ceiling. This allows you to see the color in your space with your wall color, furniture, flooring and lighting. I love these peel & stick samples that 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 their manufacturers. You’ll see links included for each shade so you can buy haint blue paint in any of these options where these brands are sold.

Haint Blue Paint Colors by Sherwin Williams

These picks for haint blue paint from Sherwin Williams range from the more muted, understated choices to vibrant, deeper cool blues.

Rainwashed by Sherwin Williams

The soft blue-green color of Rainwashed is calming and cool, a refreshing shade true to its name and that feeling you get after a good soaking rain after days of drought.

Lauren’s Surprise by Sherwin Williams

Lauren’s Surprise is fresh, vibrant full of youthful energy, putting out a playful charm the minute guests step up to your door.

Atmospheric by Sherwin Williams

Atmospheric is so much like the pale, blue skies of early spring. Can you imagine lounging on that sofa in the middle of the winter, warmed by the fire and looking up to be reminded of April just around the corner?

Tradewind by Sherwin Williams

Meanwhile, Tradewind is so airy, it’s like a cool breeze. Its use on this front porch ceiling contrasts just right with bright, pure white colors on the trim.

Sea Salt by Sherwin Williams

This was my pick in part for convenience already having the paint on hand. I already knew I loved the color, so I was happy to extend it outside to my porch ceiling. The color reads very light in sunlight, so if you want a very subtle haint blue color, 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 for you. It will instantly remind you of those first days of swimming season when you finally can dip your toes into a pool. There are few better thoughts of summer than that, especially when you’re missing it during 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 days against a peaceful waterscape.

Niebla Azul by Sherwin Williams

Niebla Azul is a rich, saturated slate blue with a relaxed, calming vibe and a touch of intrigue.

Haint Blue Paint Colors by Benjamin Moore

Benjamin Moore also has a good amount of great options for choosing the perfect shade of haint blue paint for your porch.

Palladian Blue by Benjamin Moore

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This light, soft blue color is a bit green, too. 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

A sophisticated, muted blue-gray, Smoke has an understated elegance that goes well with many design looks, from modern to traditional. Remember you can play around with tinting to match your space even when you’ve landed on a favorite hue. The example above shows Smoke at only 75% intensity, which the homeowner chose to create a more airy feel.

Woodlawn Blue by Benjamin Moore

Woodlawn Blue has the look of a raw aquamarine crystal, reminding me of the ocean and yet with a saturation that feels grounding.

Harbor Haze by Benjamin Moore

Harbor Haze is a soothing, muted and 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 options for haint blue porch paint, I’d be mistaken to not point you in the direction of 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 lounge on your porch or veranda.

Parma Gray No. 27 by Farrow & Ball

Farrow & Ball’s Parma Gray No. 27 may be called gray and yet with decidedly blue tones. It brings 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 but 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 find your match for haint blue paint here.

Let me know if you have done this project and discovered another great shade we all need to know about!

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