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A comfy couch and a personality-packed shelfie might be non-negotiables in a living room, but you\u2019ll also want to zero in on the perfect wall color. \u201cColor has a huge impact on the energy of a living room,\u201d says designer Meredith Still of the Meredith Project<\/a> in Santa Barbara, California. \u201cIt\u2019s one of the main ways to set the emotional tone for the way people experience space.\u201d<\/p>\n So if the right hue can set good vibes for your place \u2014 the wrong one? Well, it can really throw things off. Though I\u2019ve chatted with interior designers about their favorite colors to paint a living room<\/a>, what about their least favorite? Is there a single hue or family of shades that, without fail, can single-handedly strip a space of any charm? Turns out the answer is yes, and it\u2019s cool white.<\/p>\n Credit: Ground Picture\/Shutterstock<\/p>\n \u201c[They] can strip a space of warmth and dimension, making it harder to create that inviting, layered feeling that makes a living room feel like home,\u201d Still says. Virginia-based designer Tracy Morris agrees, noting this family of whites can read as \u201ccold or clinical.\u201d<\/p>\n White paints aren\u2019t exactly a one-shade-suits-all situation: You\u2019ll always need to factor in your room\u2019s natural light and how the color in question looks with the rest of your room\u2019s palette. (Psst \u2026 we even asked over a dozen designers to share their favorite white paint colors<\/a>). However, both designers agree that warmer whites are typically the way to go. \u201cI lean toward soft neutrals or muted tones that feel warm, layered, and inviting,\u201d Morris says. \u201cThe goal is to create a space you never want to leave!\u201d<\/p>\n Credit: Lee Sheng Han\/Shutterstock<\/p>\n Cool, stark white might be the biggest paint offender in the living room, but the designers I interviewed say there are plenty of other hues that should be off-limits \u2014 starting with brights. \u201cThey can be overwhelming in a space where you\u2019re meant to relax,\u201d Morris says of colors like fire-engine red and neon green.<\/p>\n Though darker shades like navy or chocolate brown can give your living room a cozy, cocoon-like ambience, Morris says to tread lightly here, too.<\/p>\n \u201cSuper dark shades, while dramatic, can sometimes make the room feel closed in if there\u2019s not enough natural light to balance them out,\u201d she explains. If you like the idea of a moody living room but don\u2019t get enough natural light, try brightening the room with light-colored furniture or glossy, metallic accents.<\/p>\n Why Designers Advise Against Gray Living Rooms<\/p>\n Speaking of darker colors, Still is begging design enthusiasts to stop using gray paint, specifically in their living rooms. \u201cYes, gray has had its moment,\u201d she explains. \u201cBut over time it will make a living room feel lifeless and uninspired, especially when natural light changes throughout the day.\u201d<\/p>\n When it comes to decorating your living room, beauty lies in the eye of the beholder \u2014 and your paint shade is no exception. While these designers have shared their don\u2019ts, remember that there is a whole rainbow of shades to choose from. If you\u2019re looking for a trendier tone, check out the paints that are poised to make it big in 2025<\/a>. If you want a designer-approved list of the best living room paint colors<\/a> ever, aka warm whites, this will give you a place to start. <\/p>\n And, if you really find yourself drawn to a white that reads a tad cold, no sweat. Don\u2019t let someone else\u2019s opinion stop you from creating a space that\u2019s authentically you. Plus, there are plenty of ways to make a colder space feel warm and welcoming \u2014 no extra coats of paint required.<\/p>\n Design Defined<\/p>\n Never miss the style inspo and recommendations you crave with Design Defined. Follow along each week as our Home Director Danielle shares the best style advice, latest trends, and popular decor finds you just can’t miss.<\/p>\n Subscribe to Apartment Therapy!<\/a><\/p>\n Further Reading<\/p>\n I Tried My Mom\u2019s Technique for Keeping Baseboards Clean and I\u2019m Never Going Back<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Beige](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/0a88f3208c0257c6e34b216e75ec78b8.jpeg\"\/)
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