Your living room is one of the most important spaces in your home – meaning your paint decisions in this room have the potential to elevate your entire home. However, whilst this power has its benefits, it makes it even more vital to get your paint ideas right.
Hues such as green and pink have recently had their moment at the peak of color trends; however, some experts predict that some of these most sought-after living room color schemes should be avoided.
5 colors you should never paint your living room
These are the colors that come with caution – so you can ensure your living room remains timeless, welcoming, and stylish for a long time to come.
1. Brown
(Image credit: Paul Raeside / Future)
It is easy to see the appeal behind beige living rooms – but despite its safe versatility, there are some tones that are best left beyond your living room – and this includes brown.
Designer Nishtha Sadana (opens in new tab) suggests that a brown living room can ‘weigh you down’ and give a dingy feel to your space – especially if your room is north facing and preserving light is a problem. ‘If you’re fond of darker colors, consider a dark blue tone or something in dark teal,’ Nishtha suggests instead. These colors will appear bolder and introduce vibrancy into your living room ideas – rather than bringing a dampness to the space.
2. Blush Pink
(Image credit: Polly Wreford / Claudia Bryant)
Blush Pink was firstly amongst the most popular hues of the recent seasons – but designer Nishtha Dhand (opens in new tab) suggests that this formally-fashionable hue has no place in (arguably) the most important room of the home.
‘Even though blush pink living room ideas are fragile and calm, it’s a big no-no for the living room. It can end up making your living room look too feminine, which therefore is not a great option in the long run,’ the expert says.
If you’re aiming for a particularly feminine-chic style, blush pinks may work in your living room, but as the designer suggests, they should be used with caution.
3. Black
(Image credit: James Merrell / Future)
While a tinge of black is not always a bad option, ‘too much can definitely make your space feel overwhelming and intimidating,’ Nishtha Sadana shares. ‘Unless you have the size and space for it, don’t use black on all the walls of your living room. It can also make your space feel dark, dingy, and dull.’
4. Moss green
(Image credit: Polly Wreford / Kiera Buckley-Jones)
Just as pink sat at the peak of recent color ideas, green was equally sought-after when it comes to living room trends.
‘I will say from a design perspective that colors like moss green, sage green, muddy brown, and aubergine, will not be appealing,’ says interior designer Stacy Lewis (opens in new tab). The designer shares that her recent client shared that mossy greens and sage make her feel like she’s in a ‘dirty aquarium’, just like muddy brown.
‘It does make your living room look like it has not been cleaned for more than a year. As for the aubergine paint, I have on good authority to say that it is headache-inducing and not inviting at all’ she adds.
5. Yellow
(Image credit: Brent Darby)
‘Yellow is a color that definitely must be avoided in the living room,’ Nishtha says. According to the designer, this color can ‘overexcite you and overwhelm you’, whilst making your room feel uncurated. ‘Hence, a big no,’ she adds. So, while this tone may seem like an optimistic shade, it may be best to experiment with the hue beyond your main space.
