4 Living Room Colors That Designers Say Are Outdated

When it's time to give your living room a new coat of paint, choose a modern color that's durable. Avoiding outdated colors from the start will save you from a premature repaint (or years of color regret).

To learn more about which outdated living room colors to avoid, we got the expert opinion of two designers. In addition, they each offer alternative options.

Anthracite gray

If you want to choose a dark, bold color for your living room, Philip Thomas Vanderford of Studio Thomas James recommends staying away from anthracite.

“Charcoal gray was once the go-to choice for achieving that dramatic, sophisticated look,” he says. “However, it has become so widespread in recent years that it now seems to be expected.”

He is also against using charcoal as a living room color because it can make the room appear too heavy and one-dimensional. This creates a mood that feels closed and suffocating.

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Try this instead: Deep olive green or terracotta

If his clients want a dramatic living room color, Vanderford suggests choosing an earthier, more inviting color than charcoal. His favorites are dark olive green or terracotta.

“Both colors create a cozy, elegant atmosphere with greater warmth and a nod to natural elements, adding depth and interest without being heavy,” he says.

marine

Meghan Kluth of Moment of Kluth Designs cites navy as a shade that's outdated for living room wall color. She remembers seeing it countless times as an accent wall (another very outdated trend).

Similar to anthracite, the dark nature and cool tones of navy blue are not particularly inviting. Plus, navy rarely looks good with black, an accent color that's hard to avoid entirely.

Try this instead: Light blue

Kluth's problem with navy blue isn't that it's a cool tone. In fact, she highly recommends light blue in the living room. Try going for a dusty blue that almost looks like it has a slight patina, especially if you love the French look.

Cool white

If you've ever delved into the world of white paint, you know that even the most subtle changes in undertones have a dramatic impact on the overall look.

“Cold white has been the backdrop for modern, minimalist aesthetics for years, providing a crisp and clean look,” says Vanderford. “But this bold hue can seem clinical, especially in a space intended for gathering and relaxing. The trend toward warmer, more inviting spaces has made the cool white look seem too austere.”

Try this instead: Warm, creamy off-white

You often see a stark, cool white in laboratories or hospitals, so it's no wonder it often feels sterile. However, according to Vanderford, you don't have to completely do without white as a wall design.

Warm, cream color with subtle beige or cream undertones is a great alternative in his book.

“These nuanced tones maintain the light and airy feel of white, but add warmth, softness and a more inviting quality to a living room,” he says.

Kluth also cited stark white as a color to avoid, recommending warmer neutrals like beige or taupe instead.

Teal

According to Vanderford, the color teal is in the spotlight and it's time to retire it.

“For a time, teal was the darling of the design world because it added a pop of color that was neither too bold nor too confident,” he notes. “However, this color is now often associated with trendy interiors of the early 2010s and gives many rooms a dated look.”

Try this instead: Muted sea green

If you're still a fan of teal, Vanderford recommends trying another sea-inspired color for your living room wall design.

“Muted sea green offers depth and sophistication without giving the impression of a period-specific trend,” he says.