5 colors you should never paint your entryway – according to interior experts

The power of your entryway needs no introduction. This space is the first room that people see in your home – so it's your canvas to showcase your interior style from the very beginning. However, the influence of your entryway makes it even more important to get your design decisions right. And, nothing impacts a scheme quite like color. 

Paint has the potential to elevate your entryway paint ideas instantly; but, it has the ability to influence your space negatively too. So how can you avoid a color mistake? These are the five colors you should never paint your entryway, according to those in the know.  

5 colors you should never paint your entryway

'Entryways are extremely tricky to design, despite being one of the smallest rooms in a home. This is primarily due to the fact that they set the tone for all other public spaces and require the perfect balance of cohesion and contrast with their surrounding spaces,' says Devin Shaffer, the Lead Interior Designer at Decorilla. These are the five tones to avoid in the transitional space. 

1. Red 

The regal hue may be synonymous with luxury, but the creative director at NISH Online Interior Design, Nishtha Dhand, suggests avoiding the tone when considering your entryway color ideas. She particularly suggests avoiding burgundy red which is especially overpowering. 

'Burgundy red may appear bold, but it's not the right paint color for your entryway,' Nishtha says. 'An entryway should be welcoming, warm, lively, and homely – but burgundy red paint will simply make the space feel more weighted and heavy,' she adds. 

2. Black 

Black is one of the most striking paint ideas you can choose, and while it stands as a maximalist statement in some rooms, it is best left outside your entryway. 'Black can appear too intimidating for your entryways. This space deserves a sense of calmness – and black paint would have the opposite effect,' Nishtha explains. 

And, even with aesthetics aside, black paint is problematic in relation to Feng Shui teaching too. Therefore, if you're looking to create a welcoming space, this hue should be avoided. 

'It will bring a sense of dinginess to the space and appear daring – which may not be very welcoming for your guests and family,' the designer adds.  

3. Mustard Yellow

Perhaps the most provocative color of all, yellow, or rather, mustard yellow, knows how to start a conversation. However, designer Nishtha Sadana from Decorated Life warns that it may be provoking a discussion for all the wrong reasons. 

'Mustard yellow may not be a great option for your entryway; it can overexcite the space and make it feel too energetic,' Nishtha says. While this color is associated with friendliness, the designer suggests choosing a shade of beige instead to create a similar sense of warmth while looking calmer than the color in question. 

4. Olive Green

Avoiding olive green in your entryway doesn't mean you need to steer away from decorating with green in general. 

Nishtha suggests that some shades, such as sage, work well in the space that connects your home to the outdoors. Though, Olive green is less desirable amongst designers. 'This is a blend of green and yellow that can make your entryway look muddy and earthy – not a recommendation,' she says.  

5. Teal 

When it comes to bathroom paint ideas, teal is a failsafe option. However, this tone is less desirable in the entryway. 'This quirky and eclectic color tends to add too much energy to a space, hence, opposing the idea of a calm and welcoming entryway,' Nishtha Dhand says. 'Teal can also bring too much vibrancy to this space which [again] is not well suited for feng shui,' she adds. 

We're taking these teachings forward in the seasons to come. Have they changed the way you'll paint your entryway?