These are banned colors? Really? Why?

I do not agree with you on the Navy Blue ban. I painted my bedroom walls Navy and I love it. I can see where you're coming from on the other colors. However, vibrant and saturated isn't always good and can look horrible in the wrong setting.

in-the-poche - the inspiration photos are colors schemes that are successful. After the jump is a list of colors that are not as attractive.

Huh. I really hate the "successful" yellow and orange interiors, and wouldn't want to live in the green one. Seems like this is really a matter of preference. Honestly, if any friend of mine tried to "ban" my paint choice in my own house, I wouldn't listen, either.

Wow. I can appreciate a listing your personal favorite colors, but suggesting some be banned across the board? That strikes me as a bit much. Variety is the spice of life, my friend.

I don't agree with the Navy, or the cream.

Actually, I quite like Navy and cream together.

I think it's silly to say that any particular color should be banned. A good designer can make any color work to their advantage. It's all in how you build the color harmony.

Usually your content is very much on point; however I agree with the previous comments. My navy and white bathroom (with, gasp-- maroon elements) is rather nautical and charming. And I once painted my kitchen the color green seen in the photo and felt as if I was living on a tennis court. I think it's all context and personal taste.

We am not impressed.

But why are they unsuccessful? This list makes absolutely no sense. Certainly it isn't an argument that they are bad just because you say they are without good images to support why this colors are bad. Particularly as a lot of good designers use these colors. This list is random at best and not to be taken seriously.
Miles Redd has done beautiful rooms in Navy Blue. Both he and Mary McDonald have great work in Pink. Heck, that wonderful late lamented magazine Domino convinced many of us to think about pink walls!! Beige, Tan, Cream - how else does Kelly Hoppen achieve her look? Pale yellows, green and blues are classics now to be banned?
Can't we have a better conversation about design than this?

I say "whatever floats your boat" if you like the colour who cares what anyone else thinks. JMHO

Obviously worded to get a rise.

No such thing as a bad color. And too highly subjective. For example, I'm not sure whether your pics selected to illustrate the articles are Do's or Don'ts.

I'm going to object to the cream, but I will say one thing: before my current place, I would not have understand the ban on beige. Now that I've lived for six months in rooms that are all painted BM Shaker Beige (apparently, one of their best-selling colors), I believe there should be a ban not just on use but on production. People on Skype keep noting that I look pale and ashen -- and we finally figured out that it's the background color!!

Of course, six months and I still have no idea what color to paint these walls.

I love my dark brown bedroom!

What a random list of colors, with no reasoning attached to them. Like many other people said, a good designer can make any color work in the right element. Also, certain colors work well with certain personalities.

This post is a joke.

I second that there is no such thing as a bad color. I think with the right design you can make any wall color work and I see examples of that on AT every day. Banning a color outright is such a close-minded and outdated concept.

Nor am we.

I love our southern facing kitchen in a pale butter yellow with red, white and pink accents. I also love that our beige living room allows our colorful artwork, green velvet curtains, multi-colored rug and colorful pillows to shine. The tan bedroom is indeed getting a re-do to contrast our blue/green bedding, but after reading this post I might just have to paint it sky blue out of spite.

Because, seriously?

How many posts have I read here at AT, over and over again, about how a well done home is one that speaks well of its inhabitants, reflecting the lives that are lived there, and nurtures their own souls? What is more subjective than the idea of a well designed home? I can't seriously buy the "we don't like these colors for our home so they should be banned in yours" statement without thinking that this article is a mere "what's hot and what's not" piece written to attract attention and is is better suited for bridal magazines. "Blush and bashful bridesmaid dresses? SO Steel Magnolias AND 1980s!"

Maybe it's my monitor, but doesn't the third image have navy blue, and the fifth have cream in it? And I feel like I see rooms with sky-blue all the time on this site.

The one thing that many of the colors you have on your list have in common are yellow under-tones, which can make people feel icky in certain lights. But categorically banning colors, especially as broadly worded as "pale yellow" makes no sense at all.

Wow, what a narrow minded post.

I love the Apartment Therapy has featured homes using those colours though, and lavished praise upon them.
Make up your mind.

Utterly worthless post. AT, I realize you intended to get a rise, but this only makes you appear ignorant. As in... unqualified to be addressing the issue.

I am with the "whatever floats you boat"

I live in mid Florida and tan is the biggest hit here, at least on exteriour of houses. That might be why we found our temporary house (at least for two years) totally painted tan inside by my parents-in-law. It was a surprise and I was in chock. Grown up in Sweden I never seen this colour inside before, never would have chosen it myself and did not feel at home at all. I did the "forbiddden" and painted it all over again. It's good they still like me very much =)

So noone can really say what makes anyone else feel the best. Or make a list based on statistics.

And never paint someone elses house ;)

I'm usually anti-ban, but I could live without that bandaide beige and mauve.

We am highly amused, and nominate this for the Silliest AT Post of the Month. We am thinking that someone was in a hurry to make zir blogging deadline and didn't think this through very carefullly.

As others have said, there's no such thing as an "unsuccessful" color, just applications and combinations that work more or less well. Hell, we've seen successful applications of princess pink and pastel purple (hint, this color has a name) IN THIS VERY BLOG. A list of unsuccessful colors is worse than meaningless.

Oh? And? Brown: also a color. Jeez-o.

Generally, I agree with the ban.

Oh, and what a totally awesome mobile in the third picture. It is a mobile, right?

When a friend or family member asks for color advice, assume they will ignore what you say. At least, that has been my experience, even though the reason they come to me is I'm a painter and they like my taste in decorating. I think if they can't envision it for themselves, they'll go with something either super safe or familiar.

Wow, I was hoping for a substantive post about color theory and hoping I'd learn something that would help me chose paint for our home. This is really just useless.

Here, I'll offer something of substance that I think works for most spaces if you're not (or can't afford to hire) an amazing designer.

If your furniture is neutral, you can be bold with the walls. If you're furniture is bold, go neutral with the walls.

Use complimentary colors in your palette to create "pop" (yellow/purple, blue/orange, red/green) -- which is to say, if you've got a blue sofa, throw some orange or coral pillows on it and you've got some visual drama (the good kind).

Use a monochromatic and/or neutral palette if you have a mix of different kinds of amazing furniture, from antique to modern. This allows the great lines to stand out. There's no arguing with prints or overwhelming color.

Rooms with a LOT of natural light are great places to try dark colors like navy, charcoal, chocolate, eggplant. Dark rooms will benefit from lighter color.

Don't be afraid to mix prints -- work the same palette, but mix up the scale or type (e.g, floral and stripe).

I totally agree with most of the color choices, but I love love love my cocoa brown bedroom. TAKE THAT!

"Undesirable paint colours?" WTF? That's pretty elitist. "Oh, don't let those undesirables in, Jeeves!" And pretty arbitrary, too. I agree with whomever wrote it reminds them of a "what's hot, what's not" list. I feel like Paris Hilton or someone has ghost-written this post.

Seriously?

"the inspiration photos are colors schemes that are successful."

According to you. I agree with the commenters above who say the yellow and orange rooms are awful.

"After the jump is a list of colors that are not as attractive."

Again, only to you. I know that colors I usually hate, like yellow, can be gorgeous when used with good judgment. The shades themselves are not evil, so why are you passing judgment without basis?

"We am not sure why, but she did the opposite of our advice and painted two rooms a version of brown to only be disappointed with the results. "

If one of my friends began referring to herself in the plural, I would ignore her advice, too.

I just picked Navy Blue for a feature wall in my incredibly bright foyer and my very light kitchen for cabinets cos I have white everywhere else and lots of dark wood furniture and dark hardwood floors. With carved wood art and pops of bright green against the colour it looks really good.

In the right setting each of these colours has nothing wrong with it.

Yes, I too am thoroughly confused by this post. In general, I would have said that pics 1, 2 and 4 show how NOT to use color or be successful - I don't like them at all. And I do, in fact, like green, orange and yellow. But those pictures all show very neon hues without any depth to them - as in, no gradations of the same color in the room, no real complementary colors to help the primary color pop.

The two pics I do like, 3 and 5, appear to showcase what looks to me like "banned" brown (in pic 3 - although someone else points out that it might be a very dark navy blue - also banned), and at first glance, a "banned" creamish-tan in pic 5, although the more I look at it, I see it's actually probably a very light grey shading into a darker grey (which I also like).

Lastly, from the banned list: "pastel purple"? I'm gonna need a little clarification on that one. I have to say, I was never a huge fan of lavender, but since looking at Apartment Therapy, I've seen several posts showcasing lavender that were amazing - especially the lavender and chartreuse combination. I'm even going so far as to consider incorporating some lavender in my house.

So I'm not sure what the purpose of this post is. If the purpose is to get people riled up, misson accomplished. Otherwise, not a great post.

@aml75 I also want to ban beige. Our house was all-beige when we moved in. Every time we painted a room a new color, it was an INSTANT huge improvement over the beige...even when we just painted the bedroom white. Hate, hate, hate beige.

Color choices depend so much on personality. While certain shades might not work for you, they may be perfect for the homes of others.

For instance, Sherry and John at Young House Love have been featured more than once on this site.....yet their entire palette revolves around multiple colors on your "ban" list (aka: beige, tan brown, cream, moss/pastel green).

Also I tend to get pretty cautious the moment I find someone trying to lay down the laws in fashion/design/etc.- I suspect many others are the same.

Rules aren't just meant to be broken, it's the natural order of things. I give this author a minimum of two years before looking back and wanting to take back several of the banned colors.

I think most of the "banned" colors can work well in certain contexts. In fact, I believe some beautiful rooms with navy blue walls have been posted on AT.

We think the author(s?) am trying to stir up some trouble.

A good designer knows how to make any color work. A bad designer writes silly posts like this one.

This post is so ridiculous. All these colors are banned? Really?

I also think that the colors shown in the pictures are hideous! Except for the last photo, which looks cream to me, and should therefore be banned. I'd much rather light yellow to that nauseatingly bright shade, or sky blue to the Halloweenish orange shown. These are dos? Not in my book...

Oh. My. God... that orange room with the tree is GORGEOUS!

"I'd like to ban the author of this post. This is a fluff piece about what's not "your favorite color". We am not in pre-school deciding who get the pretty crayons & who gets the ugly ones. The Rights and Wrong (Kinds) of Paint Colors... Sweetie, you need to STFU."

Minus the STFU, I'm inclined to agree.

I would rather see fewer new articles a day than a multitude of junk.

All of you only have one friend?

Maybe you'd have more if you didn't do things like ban colors.

Generalize much?

Two days ago I painted my bathroom a gorgeous cream (right over the turquoise from two years ago) that matches the Italian marble tile. It is just what the room needed. The turquoise (trendy though it may be) was trying too hard.

The same day I painted my bedroom three walls of my bedroom a pale sky blue that is perfect with the furnishings and the colors outside. Oh, and the fourth wall is a dark tealish blue that in certain light looks (gasp!) almost navy.

I propose that since AT has posted this ridiculous article, that all future House Tours and contest entries featuring any of these offensive colors be automatically disqualified. Sheesh.

What was the post like before it was edited? Man, I wish I hadn't been out all evening... ;)

Have you seen the April issue of House Beautiful? The pinks on that cover look pretty sweet. And I'm with others in saying that Navy, cream, browns, moss, blues, etc can be absolutely gorgeous! In general it's a little silly to state that some colors are better than others. It's just a matter of taste.

That being said, those rooms you selected for the "good colors" are pretty lovely.

Oh my god. We actually edited the post? WTF? Way classy.

I'm curious about the original post. But I still think the whole concept is silly at best. I have no colors to add, AT, I would simply like to toss the whole list. One of my loveliest, most soothing rooms was painted a light mocha.

And what about bad colors for a given room? Is bright-as-the-sun yellow really the most soothing choice for a bedroom?

I posted another comment that said the edited post is quite different from the original. But it got deleted. Hmm. Let's see what happens to this one.

If you're so against cream, why did you decide to use it as your background color for your website?

You're not sure why your friend didn't want to take your advice, huh? That's pretty pompous of you, AT. Apparently we don't like your color advice either.

Pale yellow kitchens FTW!

In this particular post, Marcia, you really should drop the editorial/royal we. Now you've made it sound like your own opinions are indicative of a collective AT mindset. We, however, don't believe that to be true. It's fine to have strong beliefs (we get it, you hate lots of colors), but your beliefs are certainly not universal. You need to own your own.

The silly post notwithstanding, I think you should pick colors that flatter you (skin tone, hair, eyes, etc.) I use the colors that are in my wardrobe--if I look good in a color, I'll look good in the room. My furniture can fend for itself (but as I pick fabric the same way, we all look good.)

And the editorial we is a constant thorn in the paw of this reader.

I totally disagree about Moss Green! I'd rather have a moss green room than a beige one.

This post (and followups) has been the funniest thing I have read here in ages! ("We am"... snicker!)

OK: PLEASE drop the imperial "we" until and unless you are made emperor/empress. Thank you. (You are one person typing with one person's fingers and stating one person's opinions. That's fine. You don't speak for me or anybody else, though, so don't pretend. This is a request to all AT staff.)

All colors are fine when used properly. Even (dare I say it) pink. (Not that I care to use that one, correctly or not, but it CAN be used well.) All colors can be used badly -- that might be a fun project, find examples of colors used very unpleasantly! Just for comic relief! Ban colors (ie: pink) from your own home, but nowhere else.

I agree with SherryBinNH: What should be banned from AT is the excessive use of the editorial "we"; it would be comical if there were even a hint of irony to it.

SherryBinNH - I'm with you - even pink can be used beautifully.

The green featured on the main photo is one of my all-time favorites! I bought a 70s desk in this color at a thrift store a while back for $11 & am loving it. Photographed here: http://craftscafe.wordpress.com/2010/02/08/new-crafts-space/

I wish I could paint my living room this color!

Um, isn't that CREAM on the walls in the last photo? I thought that was on the "do not like" list, yet here it is as a successful color inspiration photo?

There are no bad colors, just bad use of the colors. When even the most outrageous color is used thoughfully, you can't help but love it. Colors are totally subjective, like tastes for food. The brighter the better for someone who has the personal style to match. Neutrals can be boring as well if not used correctly, so this list sucks.

RubenFIDM, I don't know if you read the original, pre-edit post, but it was pretty offensive, and that's why people got offended. The tone was pretty much, "these colours should be banned," and nothing about it being a "personal" opinion. Even the title before was different: "The Rights and Wrongs of Paint Colors."

I agree with in-the-poche's comments about Kelly Hoppen and her successful use of Beige, Tan, Brown and Cream. Those colors are her bread and butter.

Personally I wouldn't dream of a painting a room green, orange or yellow like the room examples above. Heck I doubt I'd use black either.

In UK people tend to use very plain simple colors in their homes. When I look at home tours on AT I really love the use of colors in USA homes, they are very bright and diverse. I find they inspire me but I wouldn't chose them for myself.

People should paint their house the color they want and feel comfortable with. It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks as they don't have to live with it. Dictating to people what colors are right and wrong isn't very smart AT.

I missed the un-edited post, but from reading the paragraph before the jump, I thought it was going to be about undertones and color combinations that look OK on swatches but end up clashing when actually in the space. It would've been better if the writer had made it clear at the beginning that it was about her personal preferences in interior colors.

And I plan to defy the ban and paint my bedroom sky blue next week.

sally305-

omg you just ruined your house.

(hahaha jk)

i don't care for red or pink walls, but i love those colors as accents. i think you can pull off just about any color, provided you have lots of texture in a room.

GAH! I'm so sad I missed the original post. Although reading the revised post and all the comments is hilarious enough on it's own. "We has 1 friend". Amazing. Will read again. *bookmarked*

pure silliness: the use of the royal "we" and a general ban of colors in a design blog. makes me not want to come here.

I think it is Marcia Prentice that needs to be banned. From the royal "we" to the arrogance, what is she doing here?

I just read that the "original" post was more offensive; I find that hard to believe. Really, AT didn't get its following on posts like this. She needs to go.

No, there are no colours that should be banned.

Not every colour will work well in every situation, but there are no colours, not even peach (which I loathe) that should be banned.

And if a designer says this, then they need to buckle down harder in design school.

Peach or Salmon... eew.

unless used non traditionally I suppose. Who am I to say anything, I have tan and beige in my house. I swear it looks good.

I would even prefer a "thread is closed to further comments" than mass deletions and article changing. It's disconcerting at best to arrive onto a post with plenty of dangling responses. If you can't stand by your words, then why did you post them in the first place?

The "correct" colors as exhibited with the orange, yellow and green walls are simplistic, unnatural and what I would consider to be irratating to live with.

I almost feel this was an early April Fools Day prank?!

Having never been a follower of any kind of fashion, I can see where a decorator would "ban" colors that were "going out of style" in order to keep up with trends. I, however, am still in love with ivories, soft browns and the mossy colors from nature. I don't think I'll ever change. Finally, I don't think the author's intent was to "dis" our personal preferences.

I've been thinking about this post since it first appeared. It was a troubling post for me because it clearly stated a position (some paint colors are bad) but did so with no supporting documentation. In the process, it potentially insulted readers who have rooms in those colors and like them.
But the original problem was interesting. Specifically, Marcia's friend painted two rooms brown and was not happy with the results. Is this because brown is a bad color (and brown is a color despite Marcia thinking otherwise)? I don't think so and there are plenty of examples of good rooms painted brown and clearly. Wouldn't it be interesting to post an article about rooms painted in brown that are successful and have a discussion about what makes them work? I know I would love to read such a post and would love to hear reader's thoughts on such a topic. (AT has so many voices worth listening to.)
What made me think of this idea is Patricia Grey's blog. She has some wonderful entries on rooms in colors - for example this post on several lovely rooms in blue: http://patriciagrayinc.blogspot.com/2008/04/blue-is-new-black.html
and this one on pink: http://patriciagrayinc.blogspot.com/2007/07/think-pink.html
These two entries made me rethink these colors!! She has such enthusiasm for design and other designer's work. I don't know if I've ever read a negative statement from her - something that adds to the charm of her posts.
Marcia, I'm curious as to whether you would you feel such a task is unnecessary or unappealing because you have already decided brown is a bad color (or non-color)? or would the process of finding good images and analyzing them be something you could learn from too? Of course, an alternate post would be to explain with photos why brown should be banned .... but the positive approach would be so much more interesting!

Anybody wants to read the original post just do a google search on "the Rights and Wrongs of Paint Colors" and they have the cached version there.

This post reminds me of the day I went shopping at the cosmetics counter and one lady at a certain counter told me that I absolutely, positively should never wear any plums or mauve colors. The next counter over, I was told the exact opposite thing.

Color is subjective, AT. Personally, I have a buttery yellow kitchen that I feel is divine. And I have cream walls in my office and guest rooms.

Not every home needs to be painted with hip and ironic colors. Sometimes the basics really help set the backdrop for what's IN the room.

Not to mention the fact that, again, it's all subjective. Who cares what Marcia Prentice thinks about these colors. It's pointless since the whole reason behind the site is to inspire people to make their own homes their OWN.

I think this post is a total embarrassment to the site.

I love color, but have red-green color blindness. When I ask family and friends for paint advice they ALWAYS give me variations of their own homes without any consideration for my existing possessions and style. Paint store brochures are very helpful but limited. So here's my dilemma:

I want some bold colors to camouflage the bad paint job in the kitchen. It's a great 1920's apartment with original metal french windows and featuring cool kitchen & bath rehabs dating to the 40's. I happen to think that the bathroom tile is close to Russel Wright's Iroquois pink and the kitchen tile is damn near RW's yellow. (Confirmed btw, by a guest who drew the same association while admiring the RW crockery at the dining room table.)

So after a year here, I want to paint the kitchen in RW colors. Bean or chutney for the lower cabinets, chartreuse for the uppers and maybe manitoga blue for the back door. The soffit and back splashes are all the said yellow tile and two other walls are natural field stone brick in taupes and greys. The chrome handles & back plates are sleek and period appropriate. The gas stove top set in a tan faux wood Formica is stainless steel from the 40's or 50's and works great. Everything else, including the floor is white.

So why can't I find any reference for paints that correspond with Russel Wright colors? I can't be the first person who wants to draw from RW's fantastic palette.

AT readers: Is my idea a "Paint DO" or a "Paint DON'T"?

Any suggestions? Discuss...

While I think that any paint color should not be banned from home designs because there is always a way to work with different colors for your home, it is also true that some colors just do not work in specific residences and home environments. Paint is still the best way to update the overall look of your home and choosing the best shade that suits your home and your personal style is something that needs some serious thinking. Going with your gut when it comes to paint color may not be the wisest decision to make. Dallas Drywall Repair

I am obsessed with Peach. In a good way.

you have a lot of lovely rooms out there that are monochromatic and rooms on this very site where there is a use of cream, beige and layered whites. I think any color works as long as it is mixed properly with others. Personally, although the black and yellow works here, I would tire of it...it reminds me of a big bee.