The Best Paint Colors According To Your Zodiac
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If you love checking your daily horoscope and have ever wondered just how much stock you should put into it, we're here to tell you it may be more revealing than you think. Sure, it'll give you advice on decisions to make that week, like whether or not you should have that important conversation or save it for a later, more auspicious date. But, did you know it can also help you decorate? That's right. Your astrological sign can give you insight into what color you should paint your guest room or if you *actually* should wallpaper your powder room (looking at you, Geminis). To answer all your burning decorating questions, we sat down with astrologer Sam Manzella to chat about the impact astrology can have on your home and to figure out what she thinks are the best paint colors for each sign.
Meet Our Astrologer
Brooklyn-based astrologer, and multi-award-winning journalist, Sam Manzella currently writes for STAR/CHILD. She practices a Hellenistic tradition, working from ancient frameworks, including the Whole Sign house system, sect, and traditional rulerships. Additionally, her practice is based around the planetary rulers that were visible to the naked eye in the age before telescopes, also called the seven core planets, meaning that the outer planets of Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto won't be making an appearance in this article.
The Signs, Their Rulers, and Their Color Families
Let's start with the basics: There are 12 signs in Western astrology. You've probably heard of them—think Aries, Cancer, Libra, etc. While most modern mainstream astrology focuses heavily on the signs, it's actually their relationship to the planets that has the biggest impact on your day-to-day. "In astrology, planets, not zodiac signs, are the main players," says Sam. This more nuanced and wholistic approach to astrology uses planets to determine what will happen, while signs only dictate the how. "Pop astrology often relies too heavily on zodiac sign archetypes, in my opinion," says Sam. "Place a planet in a specific sign? Now we’re cooking, baby."
When it comes to matching up planets and colors, millennia of traditional associations guide the way. Sam's color coordination is based on two works: The Picatrix, a Medieval text on astrological magic, and Hellenistic Astrology: The Study of Fate and Fortune, a traditional astrology manual written by stories astrologer Chris Brennan. Below, we'll break down the seven core planets, the signs that correspond with them, and their traditional color associations.
Mars
Signs: Aries, Scorpio
Color Associations: Strong, aged shades of red and rust.
Venus
Signs: Taurus, Libra
Color Associations: Sumptuous natural shades, such as greens, pinks, whites, and pastels.
Mercury
Signs: Gemini, Virgo
Color Associations: Orange is a good color for Mercury, but mixes of patterns and colors also works well for these Mercurial signs.
Sun
Signs: Leo
Color Associations: Classic sunny shades, such as golds and yellows.
Moon
Signs: Cancer
Color Associations: Silvery shades and crisp whites.
Jupiter
Signs: Sagittarius, Pisces.
Color Associations: A mix of royally influenced shades, such as purples, blues, and yellows.
Saturn
Signs: Capricorn, Aquarius
Color Associations: Dark and moody shades, such as browns, blacks, and grays.
How Can You Use Astrology to Help You Decorate?
The best place to start is at the very beginning. Sam's advice? Call your mom. "I highly recommend calculating your full birth chart—to do so, you’ll need the exact date, time, and location of your birth." This will give you the proper framework from which you can build your astrologically inspired home. Once you have your complete birth chart, look at your various planetary alignments. While your sun sign can tell you a lot about who you are, it's actually your Venus placement that Sam recommends consulting. "This planet governs art, beauty, and romance—if it’s sweet, enjoyable, or aesthetically pleasing, then it probably falls under Venus’s purview. Whatever zodiac sign this planet occupies in your birth chart can tell you a lot about the vibes, color palettes, and visual aesthetics you gravitate toward."
Not sure you have all the information you need for a full birth chart? No worries, we've pulled together the best color for you based on your zodiac sign and planetary ruler below. If you want to dive a little deeper, Sam recommends checking out the planetary placement in your Fourth House. "The Fourth House represents our home and family life. Whatever planet rules this house, and its placement by zodiac sign, reflects the energy that feels like home to you."
Want to dive into the deep world of color? Check out these color-based decorating stories.
Aries: Cayenne by Sherwin-Williams
"As the first sign of the zodiac, Aries are known for their boldness, independence, and pioneering spirit," says Sam. Cayenne by Sherwin-Williams is the perfect shade for the Ram.
Get the Look:
Paint Color: Cayenne by Sherwin-Williams
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Taurus: Agate Green by Sherwin-Williams
"In general, earth tones are a safe bet for Taurus," says Sam. "I’d avoid anything too dramatic or a shade you wouldn’t find in the natural world." For the gentle, Venus-ruled Bull, a soft sage green such as Agate Green by Sherwin-Williams is Sam's pick. Another favorite? Vert de Terre by Farrow & Ball.
Get the Look:
Paint Color: Agate Green by Sherwin-Williams
RELATED: The Best Green Paint Colors That’ll Liven Up Any Room
Gemini: Tart Orange by Behr
"Geminis are known for their cleverness, curiosity, and versatility. At times, they can be a bit flaky or mentally scattered, hence the bad rap this sign sometimes gets," says Sam, a Gemini herself. Her recommendation for the Mercury-ruled sign? Tart Orange by Behr. "It’s probably not to everyone’s taste, but hey, neither are Geminis."
Get the Look:
Paint Color: Tart Orange by Behr
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Cancer: Borrowed Light by Farrow & Ball
The crab is the homebody of the Zodiac, according to Sam. "Cancers may want to steer clear of any bold or jarring paint colors," she says. A soft, moonlit blue is her pick. "I’d recommend Borrowed Light for Cancer as a nod to its lunar nature. And, I have to call out the relevance of the name—Cancer is ruled by Luna, which we see in the night sky because it reflects the light of the Sun. That's borrowed light!"
Get the Look:
Paint Color: Borrowed Light by Farrow & Ball
RELATED: The Best Blue Paint Colors for Every Room in Your Home
Leo: Damask Gold by Benjamin Moore
"As the only zodiac sign ruled by the Sun, Leos are warm, loyal, and charismatic," says Sam. To play up their solar connection, Sam recommends leaning into sunny shades such as Damask Gold by Benjamin Moore. To avoid? Blacks and grays. "These somber shades aren’t very aligned with their warmth or showiness," she says.
Get the Look:
Paint Color: Damask Gold by Benjamin Moore
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Virgo: Cinnamon Spice by Glidden
"Virgos are known for their practicality, reliability, and sharp eye for details," says Sam. Her pick would be Glidden's grounded Cinnamon Spice. "It's orange-toned, which nods to Mercury, and its natural vibe is perfect for an earth sign."
Get the Look:
Paint Color: Cinnamon Spice by Glidden
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Libra: Gin Blossom by Backdrop
"Libras are creative, sociable, and diplomatic," says Sam of the air sign symbolized by scales. Sam recommends colors that "feel light and tasteful, two apt descriptors for this Venus-ruled sign." Her choice? Either Gin Blossom by Backdrop or First Light by Benjamin Moore.
Get the Look:
Paint Color: Gin Blossom by Backdrop
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Scorpio: Crabby Apple by Sherwin-Williams
"Scorpios are private, intuitive, and emotionally deep. At times, they can be a bit possessive or overly secretive," says Sam. They prefer colors that reflect that thoughtfulness, such as Sherwin-Williams's Crabby Apple. "This shade is intense, rich, and totally aligned with Scorpio’s Mars rulership. Scorpions may want to avoid pastel paint colors, though—those don't really jive with Scorpio’s depth," says Sam.
Get the Look:
Paint Color: Crabby Apple by Sherwin-Williams
RELATED: These Warm Paint Colors Make for the Most Inviting Home
Sagittarius: Salty Dog by Sherwin-Williams
"Sagittarians are passionate, adventurous, and philosophical," says Sam. Her pick for the Archer would be either Salty Dog by Sherwin-Williams or Grape Juice by Benjamin Moore. "These paint colors pack a punch, just like this enthusiastic fire sign, and their richness feels like a fitting nod to Jupiter," says Sam.
Get the Look:
Paint Color: Salty Dog by Sherwin-Williams
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Capricorn: Light French Gray by Sherwin-Williams
"Capricorns are ambitious, persistent, and stoic," says Sam. "While they have excellent follow-through, they can also be quite cold or overly serious." What better choice for them than a stately gray? Sam recommends Light French Gray by Sherwin-Williams or Roosevelt Taupe by Benjamin Moore. "These chic neutrals will never go out of style, which is music to any Saturn-ruled sign’s ears. To that end, Caps should probably avoid trendy colors—they tend to prefer things that stand the test of time."
Get the Look:
Paint Color: Light French Gray by Sherwin-Williams
RELATED: These Color Go Perfectly With Your Favorite Gray
Aquarius: Brassica by Farrow & Ball
"Aquarians are known for their intelligence, individualism, and outside-of-the-box thinking," says Sam. Her pick would be a dark neutral, such as Brassica by Farrow & Ball or Iron Ore by Sherwin-Williams. "They’re a little unexpected, just like Aquarius," says Sam. "I’d also suggest that Aquarians play around with an accent wall or mural—the more unique, the better."
Get the Look:
Paint Color: Brassica by Farrow & Ball
RELATED: The Best Accent Wall Ideas to Make a Statement in Any Room
Pisces: Open Seas by Sherwin-Williams
"Pisces are empathetic, artistic, and idealistic," says Sam of this watery sign, typically symbolized by a pair of fish. Her pick? An equally watery shade in Open Seas by Sherwin-Williams. "It feels fitting for a Jupiter-ruled sign since it’s a shade of blue, but it’s also drifty and oceanic, which is quintessentially Piscean," she says.
Get the Look:
Paint Color: Open Seas by Sherwin-Williams
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