Paint Colors You Should Never Use In An Entryway, According To Designers

Your entryway is the first space that truly sets the tone of your home, so you won’t want to hastily choose a paint color for the space. Instead, it’s best to be intentional with the hue you use for this area of the house. As it turns out, there are a few shades that you’re better off avoiding, designers say. Below, they weigh in with their views on the entryway or foyer paint colors that they would never use while offering tips on what to select for the space instead. 

Anything Too Bold or Random

“Entryways are the first impression of your home, and a wonderful place to make an impact,” says Betsey Mosby, the founder of Betsey Mosby Interior Design in Jackson, Mississippi. While she’s all for livening up this space, Mosby notes that it’s important the entryway connects to the rest of the home and thus advises staying away from “making statements that aren’t repeated in other details.” So save the unexpected burst of bright pink for the powder bath instead! 

Zandy Gammons, the Raleigh, North Carolina-based founder of Miretta Interiors, agrees that anything ultra loud and bold just isn’t right for the entryway. “We like to use colors that have depth that ground the space, generally embracing jewel and earth tones,” she explains. 

If you’re still craving a bit of vibrance, note that you can achieve this through the accessories you select. “Adding color through artwork, styling, and furnishings can infuse personality and warmth into the foyer, ensuring it feels inviting and sets the tone for the rest of the home,” explains Jessicah Kolter, the founder of Jessicah Kolter Interior Design in Houston, Texas. 

Whites and Creams

While going bold in the foyer isn’t something designers advise, there is such a thing as taking too plain of a route. Rather than opting for basic white, go a bit more dramatic. “By default, most homeowners select white or cream, but the entry is where you create the mood entering the home, and I’d love to see it make a statement,” suggests Traci Connell, the founder of Traci Connell Interiors in Dallas, Texas. She recommends trying an aubergine or black. 

Jessica Stambaugh, the founder of Jessica Stambaugh Interiors in Nashville, Tennessee, expresses similar views. “White is fabulous in other areas, but too stark to feel welcoming,” she comments. “Creating some progression with a color or texture as the backdrop feels more inviting, expressive, and fun.” 

When going with a moodier color, you’ll of course want to keep lighting top of mind. “Dark colors can add drama and sophistication in larger spaces with ample natural lighting but will make a smaller, poorly lit foyer feel cramped and closed off,” says Margie Kaercher, the founder of Hearth & Honey Homes in Tampa, Florida.