Great Smoky Mountains Fall Color Palette and How to Use It
If you long for fall days in the mountains then you’ll love this post. I’m sharing a Great Smoky Mountains fall color palette that you can incorporate into your home or office and be reminded of this wonderful place all year long.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Color Palette
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Let’s file this post under “All the things I love”. It’s the trifecta for me…color palettes, photography, and our incredible national parks!
It’s also the kickoff of a brand new paint color palette series featuring colors inspired by national parks. You can look forward to many more of these including Grand Tetons, Rocky Mountains, Arches, Badlands, Yosemite, Glacier, Yellowstone, and more!
Today we’re focusing on the Great Smoky Mountains because it’s my favorite national park. It’s near and dear to my heart and is also less than an hour from our home.
The colors in the Smokies are beautiful throughout the year but this color palette centers around the amazing fall colors. I’ll add a spring color palette with the hues seen in the vibrant wildflowers in a few months so stay tuned!
How to use this Smoky Mountains fall color palette
You’re probably thinking, “These are great, but how do I use them?” And that’s a very valid question.
Let’s say you visited the park and have fond memories that you’d like to somehow incorporate into your home. There are several ways to do that and here are some ideas to get your started.
Paint a room
If you want to go all out with a themed room then go for it! Start with the color palette and choose a color that you like for your walls. Let’s look at some rooms painted with similar colors for inspiration.
Cozy entry painted with Benjamin Moore Smoldering Red
Add a warm and welcoming punch to your entry with a bold color like Smoldering Red. It will make a statement and looks perfect in a cabin themed room.
And although the Smokies don’t have quite as many maple trees with bright red leaves as Vermont, there are still quite a few of them to enjoy.
Photo courtesy of Benjamin Moore. Wall color is Smoldering Red.
Paint your entry with Benjamin Moore Thicket
Reminiscent of the soft greens in the park, Thicket or any sage green paint colors will add an earthy and soothing vibe to your home. It’s a soft, warm, medium toned green that will add Zen to any room.
Photo courtesy of Benjamin Moore. Wall color is Thicket.
Knoxville Gray Mudroom
Knoxville is a short distance away from the park and is the home of the University of Tennessee main campus, which is near and dear to my heart since that’s where my husband and I met.
Knoxville Gray HC-160 is a medium to dark blue-gray with a hint of green and is just gorgeous in this mudroom. The terracotta tiles are the perfect complement for it.
Photo courtesy of Benjamin Moore. Wall color is HC-160 Knoxville Gray.
Go bold in Benjamin Moore Cinnamon
A warm, rich color like Cinnamon will add drama to your home. Pair it with natural woven shades for texture, and black accents will look really sharp against it.
Photo courtesy of Benjamin Moore. Wall color is 2174-20 Cinnamon.
Cushing Green Walls
For a feeling of being deep in the forest, paint your walls with a dark green like Cushing Green.
Photo courtesy of Benjamin Moore. Wall color is HC-125 Cushing Green.
Paint an Accent Wall
Gloucester Sage Accent Wall
If you’d rather not paint an entire room with a deep rich color, consider using one on an accent wall. The Gloucester Sage accent wall really makes an impact in this cozy bedroom with wide plank floors and a stone knee wall.
Photo courtesy of Benjamin Moore. Wall color is HC-100 Gloucester Sage.
Use Benjamin Moore Tamarind on some accent walls
If earthy colors are more appealing to you, go with a medium brown like Tamarind. You and add pops of color with your artwork, rugs, and accessories. Keep scrolling to see some great ideas for this.
Photo courtesy of Benjamin Moore. Wall color is AF-120 Tamarind.
Eye of the Tiger
Mimic the vibrant yellows found on the tress in the fall with Eye of the Tiger. And now you’ve got that song stuck in your head, don’t you? You’re welcome.
Anyway, this color is a pretty close match to the yellow leaves found in the Smokies during the fall months. Warm, golden, rich, and beautiful. But be warned, yellows and golds always look brighter and more intense on a large surface so be sure to test this one out before painting in on your walls.
Photo courtesy of Benjamin Moore. Wall color is 188 Eye of the Tiger.
Accent wall painted with Homestead
Green is a color that makes us feel peaceful and in harmony with nature. And using CC7-24 Homestead (AKA 474 Mistletoe) on an accent wall is a good way to introduce it into your home. It’s beautiful with the stone fireplace in this room.
Photo courtesy of Benjamin Moore. Wall color is CC-724 Homestead.
York Harbor Yellow painted nook
An alcove behind your headboard is a fun place to get creative with color. The York Harbor Yellow in this room warms up the space and complements the cool neutral color on the remaining walls.
Photo courtesy of Benjamin Moore. Wall color is 2154-40 York Harbor Yellow.
Paint the trim with an accent color
Contrasting trim colors are currently trending so why not give it a try with some colors from nature? Here are some interesting ideas for that.
Nicolson Green trim with Bruton White walls
Dark green trim with creamy walls is a classic look that will never go out of style. This would work in a home with tradtional, colonial, lodge, cabin, or old English decor.
Photo courtesy of Benjamin Moore. Wall color is CW-710 Bruton White and Trim is CW-500 Nicolson Green.
Gray Horse beadboard and Bear Creek Trim
For a cooler, more rustic vibe consider using a dark taupe on your trim. The wood tones warm up this wall and balance the gray color on the bead board.
Photo courtesy of Benjamin Moore. Wall color is 2140-50 Gray Horse and Trim is 1470 Bear Creek.
Use Colorful Area Rugs, Wall Art, Decor, and Throw Pillows
Maybe you don’t want to commit to painting something with one of the colors from this palette. If that’s the case, you can use it as your inspiration and add items like area rugs and throw pillows. The room below with walls painted in Benjamin Moore Cloud White is a great illustration of this.
Photo courtesy of Benjamin Moore. Wall color is Cloud White.
Here are some home decor items that have these same colors or very similar:
Home decor items with colors from the Great Smoky Mountains
If you love the colors of the Great Smoky Mountains and are looking for ways to use them in your home, here are some favorite items to incorporate.
The views from the top of the Smokies are amazing and the cabins in this print look like the ones at the top of Mt. LeConte. Deer are plentiful in these mountains as well, and this cozy print has plenty of charm and color. Perfect for any room in the house or your office!
This watercolor print by a small artist showcases the rich fall colors and layers of mountains in the Smokies. It would be a great addition to a bathroom, hallway, bedroom, or office.
Stay warm and cozy with the colorful striped wool blanket. It's a classic design that will never go out of style and will last forever if taken care of properly.
This gorgeous print has a babbling brook and fall colors that are found in the Great Smoky Mountains. It's available in multiple sizes and would be a nice way to add color to any room.
Add a rustic look to a wall or room with wallpaper that looks exactly like log cabin walls. It's a great way to transform the look of a space.
Add a touch of whimsy and color with this hand-embroidered pillow. All of the iconic scenes are shown on this vibrant piece. It would be a fun addition to a bedroom or living room. Makes a great gift too!
In spring and summer you'll see more blues and greens in the Smokies. The mountains take on a smoky blue hue from all of the moisture in the air (humidity) here. If that's a color scheme you like then this print is a great choice. Available in multiple sizes.
You'll feel like you're deep in the heart of the Smokies with this stunning photo wall mural. The colors are exactly like they are in the park.
Hanging wall art from a favorite place is a great way to add color. This print has the fall colors and a lovely waterfall. Perfect for a living room, entry, bedroom, and more.
Crank up the cozy factor on your bed with this flannel comforter cover and sheets. You'll add the cabin feeling while staying nice and warm while you sleep.
Here's another great print with the fall colors of the Smokies. This one features the Foothills Parkway and a motorcycle rider.
This braided wool rug is a classic. Use it in any room of your home to add warmth and color. Available in multiple colors and sizes.
This cozy wool hooked rug is a wonderful way to add some mountain flair to your home. It's available in several sizes and feels so good to walk on!
Can you ever have too many throw pillows? Don't answer that. Black bears are often seen in the Smokies and this fun pillow will remind you of any sightings you experienced in the park.
Black bear alert! They're really more like overgrown dogs in most cases but you still need to keep your distance if you see one. This cozy quilt and pillows is a classy nod to our favorite furry park inhabitants.
5 favorite things to do in the Smoky Mountains
Take a scenic drive
There’s nothing like driving through the Smokies in the fall. For smaller crowds, visit in the mornings or weekdays. It can get really crowded in October when the leaves are at peak.
If you’re new to the park or just want to learn more about it, I recommend listening to this self-guided driving tour for an interesting history lesson and great information about the park: Great Smoky Mountains National Park Self Driving Tour
Visit Cades Cove
The most visited area in the park is Cades’ Cove. It’s a breathtakingly beautiful cove with preserved cabins of some of the settlers who inhabited the area before it became a national park.
If you go there, allow a couple of hours due to the popularity of the area. And there’s a really good chance you’ll see a black bear since they’re plentiful in this part of the park.
Go to Clingman’s Dome
For an amazing view take a short hike to the top of Clingmans Dome Observation Tower. At 6643 feet above sea level, it’s the highest point in the Smokies and is worth every step to get to the top.
Picnic by a stream
Be sure to bring snacks or a picnic with you as you drive through the park. There are picnic areas and tables along the side of the road.
Take a hike
Depending on your skill level, there are dozens of scenic hikes in the park and you can see a list of them here: Great Smoky Mountains National Park Hikes. Be sure to bring water and wear the right shoes if you go hiking.
Have you visited the park before? What are your favorite memories or things you want to do when you go there? Leave me a comment below and let me know!
More Paint Color Ideas
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- 2018 Benjamin Moore Color of the Year and Trends
- 2017 Benjamin Moore Color of the Year and Trends
- 2015 Benjamin Moore Color of the Year and Trends
- 2014 Benjamin Moore Color of the Year and Trends
Paint colors in our home
Looking for the paint colors I’ve used in my own home? Take a quick tour and see them all here:
Favorite Resources
FAV SOURCES FOR PAINT & SUPPLIES
- Samplize (Peel & Stick Paint Samples)
- Amy Howard Home
- Amazon
- Home Depot
- Sherwin Williams
- Benjamin Moore
FAVORITE AREA RUG SOURCES
- TJ Maxx
- Overstock
- Rugs.com
- Ruggable – washable rugs
- Furbish Studio – vintage
- Online Fabrics
FAVORITE WALLPAPER SHOPS
- Decorator’s Best
- Rifle Paper
- Anthropologie
- Hygge & West
- Chasing paper
- Serena & Lily
- Hannah’s Treasures (vintage wallpaper)
Fav sources for furniture
- Pottery Barn
- Lovesac – sectionals
- Ballard Design
- Amazon
- Wayfair
- Frontgate
Fav home decor shops
Fav sources for vintage decor
- Etsy
- One Kings Lane
- eBay
- Chairish
- Thrift Shops
- Estate Sales
- Facebook Marketplace
- Yard Sales
Fav sources for craft supplies
- Cricut
- Amazon
- Felt, Paper, Scissors (Lia Griffith Shop)
- Etsy
- Michaels
Blogging & business Tools
- Convertkit (email service)
- BigScoots (Web Hosting)
- Restored 316 (Theme)
Have lived most of my life in Knoxville so have spent many hours, days, and weeks enjoying GSMNP and sharing with friends. I love your ideas for ways to bring the experience into my home.
Knoxville a lovely town. I lived there when I was at UT. And the Smokies are such a beautiful place. Glad you enjoyed the post! ~ Angie