Before you grab that trending paint can, designers warn these five color choices could make your home feel outdated in record time. Discover the hues to avoid and timeless swaps that keep your space fresh and valuable.
Paint color trends cycle in and out of style faster than fashion trends, and what’s hot today can look dated tomorrow. As a homeowner, choosing a wall color is a long-term commitment—unlike a throw pillow, you can’t easily swap it out. That’s why leading interior designers are sounding the alarm on five paint trends that risk making your home feel outdated sooner than you expect. Based on insights from experts Galey Alix of Galey Alix Design and Tracy Kurc of Tracy Kurc Interiors, we’ve compiled the hues to avoid and timeless alternatives that add enduring style.
Meet the Experts
- Galey Alix is an interior designer and owner of Galey Alix Design, a full-service design firm. She is also the host of Home in a Heartbeat on HBO Max.
- Tracy Kurc is an interior designer and stylist, as well as the founder of Tracy Kurc Interiors in Chicago.
1. Chasing Every Trendy Palette
While it’s tempting to jump on the latest color craze, restraint often pays off. “The most timeless interiors aren’t frozen in time; they evolve slowly and thoughtfully,” says Tracy Kurc Tracy Kurc Interiors. Instead of slavishly following trends, choose colors that elevate your space’s architecture and mood. A bold color can be timeless if it serves the room’s purpose, but a trend-driven palette might feel outdated as soon as the hype fades.
2. All-Over Beige and Taupe
Beige and taupe were once the epitome of calm, neutral decor, but now homeowners seek more energy. “It was fresh and exciting, even calming in the beginning, but now people are seeking more energy and movement in their spaces,” explains Galey Alix Galey Alix Design. She recommends switching to bright-white everything for a fresh, clean look that expands spaces. However, opt for warm, nuanced whites like Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee or Farrow & Ball Pointing to avoid a clinical feel, advises Kurc Tracy Kurc Interiors.
3. Full-Force Color Drenching
Color drenching—painting every surface in the same hue—looks stunning in photos but can be overwhelming in person. “It’s beautiful in photos and makes for wonderful before and after shots, but living inside of a color-drenched home is, well, a lot,” says Alix Galey Alix Design. Deep jewel tones can create a cave-like atmosphere. To capture the drenched aesthetic without commitment, Alix suggests using color-drenched elements like rugs and furniture, and adding texture to ceilings with custom wood paneling instead of more paint. Kurc recommends tonal variations with dusty sage greens or layered taupes paired with natural textures like stone and linen Tracy Kurc Interiors.
4. One-Dimensional Dark and Bright Hues
Flat blacks, saturated teals, and artificial pastels lack depth and can feel flat. For teals, Kurc advises muted blue-greens like Sherwin-Williams Oyster Bay or Farrow & Ball Green Smoke for a calming, complex look Tracy Kurc Interiors. Instead of pure black, choose inky charcoals or off-blacks like Sherwin-Williams Tricorn Black or Farrow & Ball Railings that shift with light. For pastels, opt for chalkier tones like Farrow & Ball Calluna or Benjamin Moore Silver Marlin for an atmospheric feel.
5. Overly Themed Color Schemes
Themed palettes like farmhouse gray, greige, or coastal blues are on their way out. “It’s time to move beyond the farmhouse gray and greige look, as well as those cool coastal blue and whites,” says Alix Galey Alix Design. While a base theme can work, mix in unexpected tones like rust, ochre, or moss to keep the palette grounded yet fresh. This prevents the space from feeling like a cliché and adds personality.
How to Sidestep Painter’s Remorse
“Painter’s remorse is a real thing, and I’ve found it has a uniquely high correlation to the use of bold colors,” Alix cautions Galey Alix Design. “Perhaps because bold colors are louder, and the longer something is screaming on your walls, the sooner you’ll get tired of hearing it.” To use color boldly without regret, focus on intentionality. Consider the room’s purpose: playrooms, home offices, and theaters can handle bolder hues, but high-visible areas like kitchen cabinets or home exteriors should stick to safer, timeless choices unless you’re absolutely committed.
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