7 anti-trend colors that designers will use in 2025

On November 10, 2024By Pranco

Anti-trend colors stand the test of time because, above all, they are livable, practical and versatile colors.

Like a little black dress, a room painted in an anti-trend color can withstand every season and change of decor and can be dressed to suit your own taste and style, depending on your evolving taste and style.

While color trends are great, offering us fresh perspectives, bold design choices and some serious revamping to your space, there’s a reason why so many seem to ‘play it safe’ with a familiar color palette. And it doesn’t come from a lack of imagination.

Like Emily Kantz, color marketing manager at Sherwin Williams reminds us ‘anti-trend colors stand the test of time, they are time-tested and considered good basic principles in design’.

With this in mind, we asked a panel of interior designers and paint experts why they keep coming back to these seven key anti-trend colors project after project and give us their expert insight into why these colors are enduring favorites.

1. Sage green

farm kitchen green

(Image credit: Studio Duggan)

If you’re drawn to sage green, you’re in good company. This soft, muted shade has become a design staple for good reason.

Sage green has been used in design for centuries, from traditional English cottages to stately homes. It is also a favorite in modern and minimalist interiors for its ability to soften clean lines and hard edges.

It’s easy to live with, a soft color that works season after season, year after year, and sage green provides a pop of color without overwhelming a room. This makes it easy to integrate with other shades, patterns and materials. That is one of the most important components when we think of timeless colors for use in interior design.

The understated charm also adds a connection to nature, as well as being an interior designer Nina Lichenstein reminds us, ‘Sage continues to lead the way in creating serene, nature-inspired interiors. This muted green has outgrown trend status and become a design staple, loved for its soothing, organic quality.’

Nina Lichtenstein

Nina has demonstrated her deep construction and design expertise on projects across the North East. Nina believes that the design of a home should reflect the unique spirit of a family in the way it meets daily needs while nourishing the soul. She is celebrated for designing, renovating and building elegant family homes.

2. Plaster Pink

pink dining room

(Image credit: Farrow & Ball)

Often called ‘plaster pink’, this soft, nuanced shade strikes a perfect balance between pink and beige. It is no wonder that this color has become an indispensable part of the interior design world, and effortlessly complements everything farmhouse kitchens to the clean lines of a modern, minimalist space.

Soft enough to create a soothing atmosphere yet distinctive enough to add personality, plaster pink works beautifully in any room. Decorate with pink has long had associations with femininity, but this subdued shade is shaking up that reputation and making this versatile color an interior design staple. The muted, dusty tone blends seamlessly with natural textures, wood tones and different color schemes.

The secret to good pink is the underlying tonality that gives it warmth and delicacy but prevents it from becoming fragrantly pink. As interior designer Laetitia Laurent, founder of Laure Nell Interiors says: ‘Gypsum pink is subdued yet distinctive. It’s not the typical ‘pink’ we think of; it has a softness and earthiness that brings warmth without feeling too feminine.”

3. Cream

cream-colored wood paneling in the bedroom

(Image credit: Studio Keeta. Photographer – Ye Rin Mok)

If bright white feels too harsh, say hello to the soft warmth of cream. Cream tones are perfect for rooms that need warmth without overpowering other decors. It belongs to the ‘white family’, but is softer than cooler, brilliant whites.

Cream paint has never really gone out of style and as Patrick O’Donnell, brand ambassador at Farrow and Ball says, “We all seem to have preconceived notions about cream as an ’80s and ’90s hangover. But remember: when used as a woodwork color, it creates softness versus plain white tones and can deliver gentle warmth as a wall color.”

It’s an important part of interior design and when designing this room, Kristina Khersonsky, founder of Studio Keeta opted for a subdued milky shade, explaining: ‘The color used in this scheme is ‘Putnam Ivory’ by Benjamin Moore. It has a hint of peach undertone in the natural light beige color. We created a layered effect: the top third of the room was lighter to lift the space, while the bottom two-thirds featured Putnam Ivory, adding subtle depth.”

Selecting the ideal cream depends on natural light, architectural details and the overall aesthetic of the room. In one Scandinavian style In a room, warmer creams match light wood, while cooler creams bring balance to modern furnishings.

Kristina Chersonsky

Based in Los Angeles and led by Kristina Khersonsky, Studio Keeta creates interiors that reflect each client’s unique story. Rooted in storytelling, they merge genres to create timeless, personalized spaces. Dedicated to supporting emerging artists, Studio Keeta balances the polished with the unexpected, offering a human-centered approach to design.

4. Black

black living room

(Image credit: Farrow & Ball)

When we think of a piece of clothing, we think of the little black dress. It goes with everything, is undeniably elegant and stands the test of time.

The same can be said decorate with black. If interior designer Laetitia Laurent, founder of Laure Nell Interiors says: ‘Black is elegant and grounding. It can be dramatic, but also adds a sense of restraint and sophistication. Used strategically, it brings contrast and clarity to a room’s composition, making other elements feel more intentional and defined.”

Like its opposite, white and black serves as the ultimate backdrop for showcasing other colors, materials and textures in a room. Against black walls, metallic finishes, natural woods and even vibrant artwork stand out beautifully without competing for attention or having to choose something that ‘matches the colour’. This versatility makes black a favorite in interior design.

Black also has deep roots in traditional interiors. Think black painted doors, wrought iron fixtures and classic wood paneling. While white brightens and opens up spaces, black has the unique ability to absorb ambient light, while black does the opposite and creates a warm, cozy atmosphere. It is the ideal understated neutral color for rooms where you want a feeling of intimacy.

5. Taupe

taupe kitchen with shelves

(Image credit: deVOL)

If you’re looking for a soft, sophisticated neutral color, taupe might be your match. Positioned between white, gray and brown, taupe offers a cooler, subdued vibe compared to the warm yellow undertones of cream.

In the era of ‘quiet luxury’, taupe does not demand attention and for interior designer Laetitia Laurent, this shade is an obvious choice ‘Taupe is a refined, earth-toned neutral that does not scream for attention but a layer of depth in any room. The slightly warm, gray-brown shade feels rich and works beautifully in spaces that tend towards a natural, understated elegance.’

With undertones ranging from warm, dusty pink to cool stone gray, I’ve seen some paint brands offer more than twenty shades of taupe, which shows how many options there are when decorating with this color.

South and west-facing rooms, with their warm, golden light, pair beautifully with deeper taupe tones. In contrast, cooler rooms, such as north-facing rooms, may benefit from lighter taupes to avoid a shadowy gray tint.

Laetitia Laurent

Laetitia Laurent, creative director of Laure Nell, creates carefully curated, modern spaces guided by European design principles. With a focus on clean lines, organic materials and custom palettes, her work balances beauty and functionality. She graduated from the Sorbonne and regularly draws inspiration from her Parisian roots for her striking projects.

6. Navy

dark blue bedroom

(Image credit: Little Greene)

When we think of classic, timeless shades, our minds are often drawn to lighter colors. However, some spaces call for deeper, more dramatic hues, and a few select colors have become interior design mainstays.

The Navy, for example, has a distinguished history, appearing in uniforms, royal settings and stately homes, giving it an undeniable sense of dignity and timeless appeal. It’s a color subtle enough to act as a versatile alternative, neutral to the more common choices of gray and black.

For a touch of royal luxury, a navy blue room works brilliantly with gold or copper accents. For a modern Scandinavian feel, this versatile shade pairs equally well with light wood and pale pink.

Despite its moody appearance, navy blue really shines when used infuse color. And if drenching full colors feels too intense, try highlighting architectural details by contrasting navy blue walls with crisp white trim.

Like Ruth Mottershead, creative director at Little Greenexplains: ‘The use of different shades of blue on different elements with a ‘Double Drenching’ approach creates interest in the design, drawing attention to architectural details while remaining calm and harmonious. Link the rich ‘Royal Navy’ on walls with a related blue such as deep indigo ‘Doc Blue’ on the ceiling.’

7. White

white four-poster bed

(Image credit: Benjamin Moore)

Pure, simple and undeniably timeless: white is the classic that never goes out of fashion. It’s the ultimate blank canvas that offers endless versatility in any room.

Whether you choose a cool, bright white or a warmer, softer shade, white remains the ideal backdrop to showcase your style and can complement any color, furniture or decor you want.

Or, if minimalism is your style, white is the obvious choice. Because it is clean, calm and simple, it is the least challenging color to work with. And nothing exudes minimalism as much as white.

Patrick O’Donnell says: ‘The color (or non-colour) white offers us peace and tranquility in a room. The color of purity, it is the essence of projecting a clean and orderly environment and facilitating many other elements in a space, such as works of art and well-curated furniture pieces.”

But decorate with white is not as simple as it seems. Far from simple, this firm favorite is available in a spectrum of shades, from warm creams to cool whites. With hundreds of shades available, you’ll be spoiled for choice when choosing the perfect shade.