Popular paint colour makes your home feel 'cold and lifeless' - everyone should avoid

Selecting the ideal colour scheme for your house carries far greater significance than many homeowners appreciate. The colours that surround you can dramatically influence a room's atmosphere - and your mood - and poor choices risk creating spaces that feel stark and unwelcoming.

Picking the perfect interior paint presents quite the challenge. You're not simply choosing a shade that appeals to you, but striving to ensure the space feels generous in size, and maintains a welcoming ambiance. It's commonly understood that north-facing rooms, which receive considerably less natural light than those facing south, work best with paler shades such as hints of yellow, pink, and brown.

However, specialists warn against one particular hue that must be avoided to stop your property appearing "cold and lifeless."

"Grey is a popular choice, sitting in the top five for colours Brits say is in their happiest room in the house."

They added this warning: "Just remember, choosing the right shade is key, as the wrong one can appear cold and lifeless."

Nevertheless, the experts also observed that particular grey variations can produce the contrasting result. "Warm greys with taupe and mole undertones blend seamlessly with autumn's rich palette, creating a sophisticated yet cosy atmosphere," they revealed.

Below are the shades that Britons consider most cheerful for their home environments.

Most uplifting paint colours

Cream

This classic, versatile tone harmonises beautifully with natural shades including tan, camel and beige. Cream is a versatile colour that can be used in countless ways around your home.

Entire rooms bathed in rich cream hues radiate a serene, welcoming atmosphere.

If a full-scale makeover isn't on the cards, consider incorporating cream into smaller elements such as cushions, rugs or window dressings. Cream curtains or blinds emit a soft glow and enhance natural light, creating a warm, inviting environment.

Blue

Warm shades like marine navy, sea blue and viking blue are particularly appealing as they blend seamlessly with the cosy earth tones of the season.

How can you incorporate these delightful blues into your home?

Consider adorning your bathroom or bedroom walls with warm blue hues to cultivate a tranquil setting.

Alternatively, introduce blue accents through decorative items to add depth to a room. Placed near windows, blue provides a burst of colour that contrasts with natural light, making your space feel both calm and contemporary.

Green

This shade also comes third as the colour Brits favour to accentuate in the room that brings them the most joy, and it's easy to see why.

Greens are perfect for spaces that benefit from a connection to nature, such as living rooms and dining areas. Create a cosy corner with a feature wall in deep olive or forest green.

For a touch of elegance, consider sage green for kitchen cabinets, dining room walls or even window frames. When used near windows, green can beautifully frame the outdoor scenery, harmonising the interior with the exterior.