Painting a room almost always includes an element of experimentation. Even if you’ve done a ton of research, like testing paint swatches to see how they appear on your wall at different times of day, sometimes things just don’t work out. And that’s why I’m grateful that repainting a space, although time-consuming, is relatively easy.
But if you want to make the best decision possible when choosing paint colors, you’re not alone. The living room feels like a fairly high-stakes place to get color right, in particular, as it’s a room you, your family, and your guests will likely spend lots of time in — and some colors simply aren’t well-suited to this part of the home.
So, which shades should you avoid and why? I spoke with eight designers to learn more about the paint colors that they believe are no-nos for the living room. Just remember: This advice still ultimately depends on your personal preference, as well as your living room’s location within your home. As designer Heather Disabella puts it, “If your living room is more formal and separate from the rest of your home, you have more room to take a risk and go for a bolder look.”
A White That Appears Too Yellow
“One color that is probably the nemesis of most designers is when white starts to become yellow,” says designer Isabella Patrick. Shades of white can be super tricky to select and apply because their individual appearances really depend on their undertones and the amount of the natural light in a space.
“They will really show their ‘true colors,’ their undertones, once in the natural light of the space you’re painting,” Patrick adds. This issue underscores why it is so important to view color samples in different areas of the room before going all in, especially when it comes to shades of white.
Over-Stimulating, Saturated Colors
According to designer Whitney Wilkinson, bright reds and yellows are better off being incorporated in lesser-used spaces. “If this is the room that you spend most of your evenings in, I’d opt for something a little more relaxing,” says Wilkinson.
Designer Kristina Phillips agrees. Bright yellow “lacks sophistication and can read as very Crayola crayon in the primary color box,” she says. Instead, Phillips recommends trying chartreuse, which she calls “a beautiful blend of yellow and green [that] can be paired with almost any complementary hue.”
Although yellow is generally thought to be too overwhelming for living rooms, some pros say it can work in certain settings. “My exception to this rule would be in the case of a very specific home style where it just made sense and could be chic — like a vintage, Key West-style beach cottage,” says designer Margie Kaercher, founder of Hearth & Honey Homes.
Designer Ashley de Boer cites oranges and purples as similar shades to avoid. “They are overpowering, and I feel that in a living room you should feel at ease, not on edge,” she says. Similarly, designer Esther Ellard, the founder of Effortless Designs, also has strong feelings about why purple, specifically, just isn’t right for the living room. “This shade for a living room wall paint color can be too emotionally intense for people, creating an atmosphere of tension, uneasiness, and, at times, frustration,” she says. “Especially if you are considering color drenching your living room space, leave the vibrant purple out of the picture.”
Oh, and skip maroon, Phillips adds. “This jarring hue is reminiscent of the trend in the ’90s when a red dining room was considered in vogue,” she explains. Instead, opt for stylish oxblood, which is a little bit more modern of a hue. “A room drenched in high-gloss oxblood is rich and dramatic compared to its brick-colored cousin,” says Phillips.
Another shade that isn’t quite right for a living room is neon pink. “While neon pink can be playful, I find it cheapens the feel of a living space,” says Alicia Hassen, the founder of Brooklinteriors. “Other shades of pink can elevate the space, creating a more luxurious and elegant aesthetic that will look great for years to come.” The bottom line here: Bright Barbie pink isn’t the way to go in this chill zone.
