5 Color Combos You Should Never Use in Your Home

Whether you are giving your home a quick refresh with paint or wallpaper, or perhaps a more extensive renovation, one of the most important elements to consider is the color scheme. No matter what look you are going for, it’s one of the most important decisions to make. 

Colors are also a great way to take design risks. But some color combos simply don’t work with one another, leading to a space that feels uncomfortable or disjointed. Here are five color combos you should never consider using, according to interior designers. 

Red + Green

According to Marina Hanisch from Access to Design at the New York Design Center, combining primary colors such as red and green is a big no. “These vibrant, highly saturated colors tend to compete for attention, creating a sense of imbalance and making the space feel overwhelming,” she says. “For a more cohesive look, I find it’s best to let one color take the lead, using more subtle tones to complement and ground the palette.”

Colleen Bute Bennett of CBB Design Firm agrees. “This combination often reminds people of Christmas, which can make it hard to separate from a holiday theme, even if used in other contexts,” she explains, “It’s hard to escape this seasonal feel when using these two together.”

Red + Orange

Do you like to go big with color? You might be tempted to consider red and orange, but Darrell Gardner, director of product development at Cort Furniture, says this combo can be hard to live with. “Separately, they’re bold and vibrant, but put them together, and you’ve got a room that feels more like chaos than comfort,” he says. “You want your space to energize you—not leave you feeling like you just walked into a high-speed chase between colors.”

So, perhaps choose one bold hue and combine it with a neutral for a balanced space.

Brown + Gray

Just because these two are neutrals, it doesn’t mean they always look good alongside each other. Carolyn Cerminara, founder and principal designer of Cerminara Design, says brown and gray can fall flat if not handled properly. “Combining them without adding a pop of color or texture can leave the space dull,” she explains. “I always recommend incorporating some texture or a complementary accent color to breathe life and warmth into the room.”

Bennett adds that these two neutrals have different undertones. “Gray is typically cool, while brown is warm,” she says. “Combining the two can result in a muddled or uncoordinated look if not done carefully.”

Purple + Yellow

While purple and yellow are technically complementary on the color wheel, most of the time they look jarring when combined. “Personally, I’m not a fan of purple and try to avoid it at all costs,” says Cerminara.

However, if you like these two colors together, the designer advises softening one of the colors or using them as accents instead of dominant shades.

Bright Pink + Bright Green

While bright green and bright pink have a very Palm Beach aesthetic, these hues may be too over the top if you live in a less tropical locale. “This combo can feel overly playful and artificial, like you’ve stepped into a candy shop, which isn’t the vibe most clients are going for,” shares Cerminara.

However, that doesn’t mean you can’t consider using these hues in a different shade. “If you like the idea of pink and green together, I’d recommend going for more sophisticated, muted tones like blush and olive,” she adds. “These shades bring a sense of calm and elegance, rather than chaos.”