What Colors to Avoid in Interior Design: Advice from a Psychologist

Your choice of hue affects how you feel—here's how to do it right in the main room of your home.

With endless choices of paint ideas, the question of color remains a provocative topic of discussion among designers.

Naturally, debates about the ideal paint color change with the seasons, and trendy tones come and go, but psychologists say there are colors to avoid, says Yulia Tychino .

As the most sought after room in your home, your living room may be the first place you experiment with the latest paint trends.

However, psychologist and wellbeing consultant Lee Chambers warns against using one of the most popular shades in your living space. Here, Lee reveals her living room paint ideas and what you should avoid before picking up a paintbrush.

The Color You Should Never Paint Your Room With, According to Psychology

"Our living room gets a lot of different uses, and in my experience, the worst color to decorate a living room with is crimson," Lee begins.

In all its vibrant glory, red is easy to love. However, Lee suggests that increased exposure to the hue may leave you feeling more anxious and less calm.

“While the color red promotes energy and social interaction, being in such an intense color for a long period of time can make us irritable, more aggressive, less relaxed, and even increase our heart rate,” he says.

“As we strive to create a space in which we can reside and regenerate, the color crimson can literally keep us on high alert and can leave us feeling anxious rather than at peace and feeling calm.”

Plus, Lee isn't alone in his observations. According to EZ Living color psychologist Helen O'Keefe, "deep reds are associated with passion and energy, while cool blues are considered calming and serene."

So Helen suggests bringing this intense tone into your home office or other creative space, where it can "lift the energy of the room" and boost productivity.

So, what colour should you be looking for instead? If you're looking to update your living room walls, Martin Waller, founder of design brand Andrew Martin, recommends looking at more muted shades that will make the space feel more therapeutic.

In her exploration of paint ideas for every room, Martin notes that she understands the appeal of a bold hue that "adds excitement and fun," but instead recommends choosing a classic white paint that will create an inviting space while highlighting other elements in the room.

"There is a void that can be seen in an all-white scheme. The absence of colour should not be underestimated either," he says.

The secret to a calming living room is to avoid red and embrace white? This is a simple paint idea we support!

Earlier we reported on the design of walls in the interior .