A comfy couch and a personality-packed shelfie might be non-negotiables in a living room, but you’ll also want to zero in on the perfect wall color. “Color has a huge impact on the energy of a living room,” says designer Meredith Still of the Meredith Project in Santa Barbara, California. “It’s one of the main ways to set the emotional tone for the way people experience space.”
So if the right hue can set good vibes for your place — the wrong one? Well, it can really throw things off. Though I’ve chatted with interior designers about their favorite colors to paint a living room, 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’s cool white.
“[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,” Still says. Virginia-based designer Tracy Morris agrees, noting this family of whites can read as “cold or clinical.”
White paints aren’t exactly a one-shade-suits-all situation: You’ll always need to factor in your room’s natural light and how the color in question looks with the rest of your room’s palette. (Psst … we even asked over a dozen designers to share their favorite white paint colors). However, both designers agree that warmer whites are typically the way to go. “I lean toward soft neutrals or muted tones that feel warm, layered, and inviting,” Morris says. “The goal is to create a space you never want to leave!”
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 — starting with brights. “They can be overwhelming in a space where you’re meant to relax,” Morris says of colors like fire-engine red and neon green.
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. “Super dark shades, while dramatic, can sometimes make the room feel closed in if there’s not enough natural light to balance them out,” she explains. If you like the idea of a moody living room but don’t get enough natural light, try brightening the room with light-colored furniture or glossy, metallic accents.
Speaking of darker colors, Still is begging design enthusiasts to stop using gray paint, specifically in their living rooms. “Yes, gray has had its moment,” she explains. “But over time it will make a living room feel lifeless and uninspired, especially when natural light changes throughout the day.”
When it comes to decorating your living room, beauty lies in the eye of the beholder — and your paint shade is no exception. While these designers have shared their don’ts, remember that there is a whole rainbow of shades to choose from. If you’re looking for a trendier tone, check out the paints that are poised to make it big in 2025. If you want a designer-approved list of the best living room paint colors ever, aka warm whites, this will give you a place to start.
And, if you really find yourself drawn to a white that reads a tad cold, no sweat. Don’t let someone else’s opinion stop you from creating a space that’s authentically you. Plus, there are plenty of ways to make a colder space feel warm and welcoming — no extra coats of paint required.