Let’s be honest about this black and white trend that’s been dominating design lately. It’s been like a security blanket for designers (and even homeowners) who get nervous when it comes to making colour choices.
And I totally get it – when you’ve got a couple of go-to whites in your back pocket, life feels so much simpler.
But here’s the thing: while these whites might not be the perfect choice for every space, they tend to fly under the radar because they’re so… well, nothing. They’re safe.
And that’s exactly why so many designers are clinging to them instead of embracing the wonderful world of colour that’s emerging in design right now.
What is timeless design?
The truth is, timeless design isn’t about playing it safe with neutrals – it’s about creating a versatile backdrop that lets you play with colour. When we limit ourselves to just black and white, we’re missing out on all the warmth and personality that thoughtfully chosen colours can bring to a space.
I’ve taught thousands of students how to do colour well. And why wouldn’t you want to take your rooms from OK to gorgeous?
So, if you’re with me on this timeless train, I want to share a few paint colours to ditch in 2025.
Say goodbye to these 4 paint colours in 2025
As a matter of fact, I have been going out of my way to specify anything but these colours throughout the trend. Because as a True Colour Expert and lover of colour, I always have a collection of gorgeous custom paint colours to offer instead.
1. Skip the Stark White Paint
Going into 2025, the world is officially over boring, stark white walls. You know, that bright white that almost glows?
What to do instead: I don’t like to say I told you so, but I would like to point out that throughout the entire white trend I’ve stood my ground that very pale and fresh neutrals are better wall colours than white or off white. And I firmly stand by that still.
And fresh pale neutral walls will continue to be more versatile when the world starts painting every room brown-paper-bag beige again like they did in the early 2000s too.
2. Stop Using Black Paint on Your Walls
The shadow side of the white trend is, of course, black. Also a non-colour that, when it arrived on the scene 8 years ago looked bold, cool, edgy and austere all at once 😎
The black and white trend has become so mainstream that even Home Depot’s shelves are flooded with black hardware and plumbing fixtures. But here’s the problem – creating a sophisticated black and white design requires real skill and careful consideration.
Instead, what we’re seeing everywhere are poorly executed builder-grade attempts: homes plastered with chunky black trim, heavy black window frames, and harsh black accents that look more like random rectangles slapped onto white walls. It’s become a cookie-cutter approach that’s stripping homes of their character and charm.
Edgy black has become the unimaginative, utilitarian black of your most functional but boring don’t-know-what-to-wear-today black on black outfit.
What to do instead: It’s time to choose softer, more refined accents for exteriors, paint colours, plumbing, hardware and lighting. And time for going bold with rich colours instead (like burgundy) of grabbing that can of basic black. A little black will always be ok, but we’re done with going overboard on black 😘
You can still DECORATE with black, and avoid making faucet, tile or paint colours black. See how I decorate with black in my home.
