Designers say these are 5 of the most difficult paint colors to decorate with – here’s how to make them work

June 10, 2024

When it comes to choosing the right colors for your home, certain colors can feel more daunting than others. For some, it’s saturated warm tones that often feel intense; for others, it’s dark and moody hues that can risk overwhelming a space.

Generally speaking, designers agree that certain paint colors are, across the board, more difficult to decorate with than others and require a bit more consideration to ensure they work effectively throughout .

To learn all about these typically difficult paint colors, we enlisted the expertise of color specialists and interior designers.

What are the most difficult paint colors to decorate with?

Below, we share five of the trickiest and expert advice on how to make them work. By following these tips, these colors can actually be some of the most effective throughout the home, creating bold spaces that make a statement.

1. Black

kitchen sink area with black panelled walls

(Image credit: Farrow & Ball)

‘For many of us, black can feel like an intimidating color to use in interior decoration, but by veering slightly away from pure black (still elegant) and using more nuanced blacks, you can create rooms of great beauty and drama,’ explains brand ambassador Patrick O’Donnell.

One of , Patrick recommends using in place of true black to create a softer look when .

‘Our perennial favorite, Railings, creates a great backdrop to many a living space. Your artwork will register with renewed clarity, you will feel cocooned when bathed in ambient lighting at night and colors will pop against it (think chartreuse yellow or bright emerald sofas in velvet or wool).

‘For woodwork, pull out the nuanced blue in Railings by teaming it with .’

2. Purple

maximal bedroom with purple wall, artwork on walls and red headboard

(Image credit: Matthew Williamson, photography Iaia Cocoi)

Interior designer suggests purple as one of the trickiest colors to incorporate into interior schemes since it can often be incredibly intense when used in large quantities.

‘I’ve always found purple to be one of the most challenging colors to integrate into an interior scheme,’ explains Matthew. ‘Its deep, intense tone for some reason feels heavy with an almost somber quality, but I can still see its merits.’

When , the designer advises using it as an in a room rather than a dominant color. ‘Rich and evocative, it sets the mood for a dark and moody interior. My advice is to use purple sparingly – perhaps painting a standalone piece of furniture such as a chest of drawers.’

‘That said, my old bedroom was painted in a soft shade of – I wanted to see if it might have the allure that pink and green have for me. The color ended up working really well in the space and creating a more dramatic backdrop.’

3. Orange

60s style bedroom with a color blocked wall design

(Image credit: Benjamin Moore)

‘Although initially daunting, offers a wonderful opportunity to bring a sense of warmth and comfort to a space, whilst naturally lifting the mood,’ says Helen Shaw, Director of Color Marketing at .

‘Depending on the shade used, it can completely transform the atmosphere. Opting for a deeper hue accentuates white woodwork creating a calming, sunset mood – ideal for spaces you go to relax such as a or .’

If you’re drawn to brighter orange tones, doing so through smaller accents can ensure a liveable look whilst still having an energizing impact. ‘Consider where you can add pops of this bright color to your scheme through furniture and accessories such as painting kitchen stools or dining chairs – these small bursts will exude both calming and energizing effects.’

4. Red

living room with brick red walls, pink sofa and large artwork on walls

(Image credit: @thegroovyhouse)

is one of the boldest colors, so it’s not unusual to find it daunting to bring this saturated hue into interior schemes.

‘People typically find bolder, warm colors quite daunting to use within their interiors,’ says Tash Bradley, Director of Interior Design at and Color Psychologist.

‘A poppy red, such as , although initially intimidating, can be beautifully effective when you consider the overall tone of your scheme and how you will dress the room with complementary textiles, decor, hardware, and tiles.’

Additionally, Tash recommends using red more sparingly by turning to color theory to ensure it doesn’t overpower a room. ‘Adhering to the can simplify the process. In this method, 60% of the room should be in a dominant less saturated base color; 30% in a secondary, punchier color; and 10% in an accent color that adds excitement, contrast, and zing.’

5. Dark jewel tones

maximalist living room with teal walls and ceiling, bright pink artwork and colorful sofa and cushions

(Image credit: Nadia Watts Interior Design, photography Nickolas Sargent)

often seems like a bold move, but if sophisticated and dramatic is the goal, these dark tones are a winner.

Interior designer Kristina Khersonsky of says that the best way to incorporate these colors is to fully commit, drenching a room in dark jewel tones.

‘Sometimes the color choices that have the biggest impact on a space can take the most commitment and faith,’ explains Kristina. ‘One thing to consider with a deep, jewel tone is that you can’t go halfway. Single are long gone and create too much contrast next to a white wall, and more often than not, can even look unfinished.’

‘If you’re going for a darker color – go all in with . Don’t forget the ceiling either, as this will make all the difference in letting the color show you its true potential.’

In this maximalist living space designed by , you can see just how effective dark jewel tones are when used in large quantities, creating an opulent and dramatic look.


Although initially daunting, these bold colors can add endless appeal to your home – whether you fully drench a room with dark hues or use saturated tones as smaller accents.

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