Since the pandemic, interior design trends have moved toward bold, maximalist styles and colors, according to designers. The time spent at home during lockdowns led many people to embrace vibrant hues over neutral tones like beige and gray.
Designers Lesley Myrick of Lesley Myrick Interior Design and Daniele Doerge, a color expert from California Paints, shared their advice on choosing and using bright paint colors in the home.
How to Choose Vibrant Paint Colors
Myrick said choosing a color should be a personal decision based on the client, not a trend. “A vibrant paint color has to be a commitment color, something you’ll still love when the design world moves on to the next thing,” she said. She suggested paying attention to the colors people like to wear, what colors are already in the room, and how light affects the space from morning to evening.
“Vibrant color is high impact, which means it can’t be an afterthought. It has to be rooted in something specific and personal. Otherwise, you end up with a room that just looks loud instead of layered,” Myrick added.
Best Rooms for Bright Colors
Bright paint colors energize a space, making them suitable for rooms that are lively or need more energy. “A small space is the best place to go bold, because the color wraps around you and creates a complete mood,” Myrick said. She noted that a powder room in a deep green or saturated blue can become the most memorable room in the house.
Doerge recommended entryways and hallways as good places to start with vibrant colors. “From there, I love dining rooms and living rooms for vibrant tones as well. These areas are natural spaces to gather, and having a strong color can feel inviting and expressive,” she said.
Myrick agreed that dining rooms work well, especially because they are often used at night when rich colors look their best in low light.
Overcoming Hesitation
For those hesitant to use bright colors, Myrick reminded that paint is not permanent. “If you hate it in three years, you paint over it—that’s it. A bold color is not the irreversible commitment people think it is,” she said. She advised getting large samples, painting them on two walls, and living with them for a few days to see how the color changes with light throughout the day.
Doerge suggested starting small by painting cabinets, an interior door, or an accent wall. She also recommended pairing bold colors with neutral textures in furniture, decor, or rugs to ground the space.
Myrick urged people to commit fully to their color choice. “The half-hearted vibrant color, the one that felt ‘safer’ than the bold choice you loved, always disappoints. If you’re going to go bold, go all the way,” she said.
Current Trending Colors
Doerge noted that current trends lean toward vibrant colors rooted in nature. “Think golden yellows, clay-inspired corals, and lush greens that feel bright but still grounded,” she said.
Popular Paint Colors Available
Several paint brands offer vibrant shades that are currently popular. Farrow & Ball has colors like Selvedge, Hague Blue, Beverly, Setting Plaster, and Faded Terracotta. Sherwin Williams offers Redend Point and Concerto. Benjamin Moore has Dragonwell. Prices vary by retailer.
Designers agree that the color a person loves is always the right choice. Bright paint colors are not a trend to follow but a way to make a home feel more personal. Starting with a room that needs more life, painting a large sample, and living with it for a few days can help in making a decision. When the right color is found, committing to it fully is the best approach.
