3 Colors to Avoid Using in Your Home During Winter – and the Cozier Alternatives Designers Want You to Use Instead
From pale pastels to overly dark tones, these are the colors to steer clear of during the colder months
The colors you decorate with can make all the difference in not just shaping how a room looks, but how it feels – something that is arguably more important during winter than any other time of year if a welcoming, cozy, and uplifting space is your goal.
'There is a psychology to how we experience color through the seasons, and winter is the one where that really matters,' says Tash Bradley, color psychologist and director of interior design at Lick. 'The days are shorter, natural light levels drop, and there’s less warmth both outdoors and indoors. We’re also spending far more time at home.'
Colors to Avoid Using in Your Home During Winter
'When you look outside at this time of year, the world becomes incredibly monochromatic,' says Tash Bradley of Lick. 'Gray skies, bare trees, muted landscapes: winter offers a palette that’s stripped back and lacking warmth and character. Psychologically, that can feel quite draining.'
Offsetting the cooler hues of the natural world with warm color schemes can keep your home feeling cozy and inviting during the cold months. 'Psychologically, we naturally want to hibernate to feel held, grounded, and cocooned,' adds Tash.
1. Bright Whites
Swap harsh whites for a soft, plaster pink that adds warmth and coziness, such as Mylands' Kensington Rose No.22, which was used in this tranquil bedroom.
Bright whites can feel void of personality even during the warmer months, so it's no surprise that experts recommend avoiding this neutral during the winter. 'Stark, cool whites with blue or gray undertones may come across as cold and unwelcoming in winter, particularly in north-facing rooms,' says Emily Kantz, color expert at Sherwin-Williams. 'These shades can amplify the chill of the season rather than counteract it.'
Instead of decorating with harsh whites, go for nuanced warm white paints, which bring softness to a room. 'A better alternative is a warmer white like Alabaster SW 7008 or Shoji White SW 7042, which maintains brightness while adding softness and warmth,' suggests Emily.
Or, if you want to add more color to your space, plaster pinks are a wonderful choice. Bringing the warmth of pink but in a way that feels refined and livable, a dusky, muted pink warms rooms in the winter months. It's an especially good bedroom color idea, since it also lends a calming and comforting feel.
Refresh your bedding this winter with this blush pink set that's made from 100% linen.
Bring soft pink to your dining space with this linen tablecloth – a great way to add subtle warmth this winter.
Ground your scheme with this striped rug in a muted pink hue – available in plenty of sizes to suit your space.
2. Cool-Toned Pastels
Instead, turn to a palette of earth tones that bring warmth and timelessness to a room, such as COAT Paints' Big Hoops, which was used on these cabinets.
Tash avoids decorating with pastels in the winter months. 'They often read washed out, cold, and lifeless when the light drops,' she says. 'And honestly, pastels have had their moment. We’ve seen millennial gray, millennial pink, and they’ve passed.'
Instead, experts recommend decorating with earthy colors. Not only do these colors – think sand tones, taupe, and muddy browns – bring more warmth to a room, but they also feel much more aligned with the latest color trends. 'These palettes feel incredibly modern, but they’re also timeless,' says Tash, who recommends using paint shades such as Lick's Taupe 03. 'They support us emotionally in winter while still feeling light and uplifting in summer.'
Hannah Yeo, color specialist at Benjamin Moore, also highlights earthy hues for the winter months, more specifically, Weimaraner AF-155. 'A refined blend of brown and taupe, this mid-tone neutral instantly sets a relaxing mood, creating the kind of space you’ll want to curl up in during the winter months,' she says. 'From timeless kitchen cabinetry to rich, warm bedroom walls, Weimaraner delivers sophistication with ease. Pair it with a creamy off-white, velvety drapes, and the soft glow of candlelight to amplify its warmth.'
This ochre tone is on-trend and cozy, making a stylish alternative to pale pastels.
Boost the coziness in your bedroom or living space with this earth-toned silk throw.
Complete your earthy color scheme with this gingham table lamp, which nods to vintage decor.
3. Cool-Toned Blacks
Shift away from cool-toned blacks and add richness and sophistication to your home with warming dark colors, such as Lick's Red 06, which was used here.
Another color that may be best avoided during winter is cool-toned black. 'Ultra-dark charcoals and blacks can feel especially heavy during the winter months when natural light is already limited,' says Emily. 'While dramatic, these deep shades can absorb light and create a space that feels closed-in or overly somber.'
You can still add drama and richness to your home with dark colors, but those with warmth to them will feel much cozier. 'I recommend warmer dark neutrals like Urbane Bronze SW 7048 or Clove SW 9605, which still offer depth but include warm undertones that feel more grounding and inviting,' says Emily.
A deep green can also work well, bringing drama to a room but with plenty of warmth, and a favorite for Hannah is Benjamin Moore's Forest Floor 1498. 'Grounded and rich, this deep green carries an earthy undertone that adds warmth and depth,' she says. 'When color-drenched in a room, it creates a cocooning effect that feels both comforting and luxurious.'
Dark brown is a softer alternative to black. Teamed with this whimsical floral print, it feels especially fitting for the winter months.
Line your walls with this green wallpaper if you want to add depth and interest, without leaning too dark.
The wine red tones of this gingham throw are a chic way to incorporate dark tones into your home this winter.
Color doesn't just shape how a room looks, but how it feels. In the winter, avoiding these colors in favor of warmer alternatives can be a simple but effective way of ensuring your space feels cozy and welcoming. That said, it doesn't need to be about overhauling your color schemes each season – a few simple textile swaps can be all that's needed.
