7 Painting Mistakes That Instantly Devalue a Space, According to Designers

A fresh lick of paint is one of the quickest and most affordable ways to elevate a space instantly, but a step in the wrong direction can quickly undo all your efforts. A sloppy edge here, an ill-chosen shade there, and suddenly a room meant to feel freshly updated and crisp reads dated and scruffy. Or, as Peggy Haddad, interior designer and founder of Peggy Haddad Interiors, bluntly puts it: “A bad paint job is like wearing a wrinkled outfit. You notice it immediately, and not in a good way.”

Paint and color are more than just decoration. They are architecture in action. Strategic color can heighten the ceiling, widen the room, and dictate the style and atmosphere of a space. “Paint is powerful; it’s one of the most transformative tools in design,” says Haddad. “Yes, a good paint job can take up a chunk of your remodel budget, but it’s worth every penny and cost-effective when you consider the impact.” A bad paint job? Well, that can make even the most beautiful architecture and designer furniture look drab.

With valuable insights from our interior experts, we identified seven common painting mishaps that instantly devalue a space and how to fix them. From overlooked prep work to color faux pas, here’s how to ensure every stroke adds value, not detracts from it. 

White is often considered the safest paint choice, but it is actually one of the most challenging to get right. Contrary to popular belief, there’s no such thing as “just white.” “Every white carries subtle undertones—pink, yellow, blue, even green—and lighting can make or break them,” says Carla Royder, interior designer and founder of Carla Royder Designs & Co. All colors change under different lights, but white is one of the biggest offenders due to its highly reflective quality. “That clean white you loved in the store? It might look like a smoker’s den under your warm yellow bulbs, or hospital-level sterile under cool light.”

The key to identifying the right white shade for your space is testing. Apply large swatches on multiple walls and observe them at different times of day, under both natural and artificial light. Always test the paint on a pure white backdrop so underlying colors don’t distort the white shade. Fresh walls and old trims can be a pointless exercise, as shabby trims will attract attention for all the wrong reasons. “Paint the trim, walls, doors, and ceiling (everything!) the same shade of white—using varying sheens—for a cohesive, polished look,” suggests Haddad.

Many designers' go-to white is Benjamin Moore’s Simply White, a soft, warm backdrop that works in almost any space. “It never feels sterile, and it’s perfect for creating an elevated coastal feel,” says Haddad. “Just be sure to buy it from a Benjamin Moore store to avoid color-matching mishaps that can shift it toward mint green.” For a richer, more nuanced white, consider Sherwin-Williams Aesthetic White. “It’s light and airy, but offers more depth and personality.”

All paint reads differently depending on light exposure, room orientation, and surrounding finishes. “This is the top mistake I see,” says Haddad. “Just because a color looked dreamy in a Pinterest photo, it doesn’t mean it will work in your home. Always test the color in the space before you commit, and live with it for a few days.”

Before navigating paint color charts, consider the room’s orientation and the quality of light throughout the day. As a general rule, North-facing rooms benefit from warm colors to counteract cool, shadowy light, while South-facing rooms can handle richer colors and true whites under abundant golden light. East-facing spaces pair well with cool or neutral tones to celebrate fresh morning brightness, and West-facing rooms thrive with warm neutrals or muted greens and blues that soften the afternoon glow. Finally, ask yourself when you will spend the most time in that space and how you want it to make you feel: cozy and relaxed, or fresh and energized?

Artificial light also plays a huge role in how colors appear. Royder recommends using 3000K bulbs on dimmers for a crisp, versatile glow. “If you want the fastest route to a color that works the first time, lean on a designer’s trained eye—we’re experts at reading light, finishes, and undertones so you end up with a space that feels exactly right,” adds Haddad.

While a well-chosen color palette makes a room, a poorly chosen one breaks it. “It’s the foundation of your space—get it wrong, and no amount of fancy furniture or decor can save you,” warns Royder. “The right shade can elevate a room; the wrong one can drag it straight into the design abyss.”

As a general rule, steer clear of an overly saturated color palette. “Bold color palettes often run the risk of screaming 'cheap' and 'sugary' and can end up giving off a Barbie Dreamhouse feel–and not in a good way,” cautions Royder. Even classic color duos can misfire if they’re not thought through. “Pink and green? Cute in theory, but if the greens are too bright, you’ve got a watermelon situation. Gray and yellow? If the tones are too similar, it will give a hard-boiled egg look,” she adds. The solution? Avoid ultra-bright, pure hues in favor of slightly muted shades with a bit of “muddiness” for a more timeless and sophisticated look.

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Once you (finally) settle on a paint color, don’t forget to specify the finish. It could be the difference between your paintwork lasting years or days. Trim in flat paint? “Rookie mistake,” says Royder. “Eggshell and semi-gloss are your best friends for durability and style.”

While lacquered walls are trending, they can be unforgiving. “High-gloss will magnify every wall imperfection,” warns Haddad. “On the flip side, ultra-flat finishes are a great look, but can’t handle high-traffic areas.” They show scuffs and stains instantly, and often can’t be wiped down with a damp cloth without some of the paint coming off. Haddad’s advice: “Match the finish to the function. Use eggshell or satin for walls in high-traffic and wet areas, semi-gloss for trim and doors, and flat for ceilings and low-traffic areas."

Paint might seem like an instant upgrade, but skipping prep work is a shortcut to disaster. “Skimp on prep, and your walls will rat you out,” says Royder. “Shiny finishes especially highlight every imperfection. Sand, prime, and patch like your life depends on it—because your walls’ reputation does.”

No amount of paint can hide cracked plaster, bumps, nail holes, or uneven textures. Without proper preparation, even premium paint will cling to flaws, creating splotches, streaks, or peeling within weeks. In high-traffic areas, the effects only worsen, turning a room meant to feel polished into one that looks tired and sloppy. Treat the prep work as the foundation of every painting project, and your walls will reward you with a smooth, durable, high-end finish that will truly elevate your space.

Gray has dominated interiors for years, but demand is shifting towards nuanced colors with natural depth, warmth, and subtle complexity. “Warmer tones are where it’s at right now—think cozy, inviting, and timeless shades,” says Royder. “When in doubt, go muddy. Colors with depth and complexity always appear richer and more expensive, bringing a sense of sophistication to any space.” 

Pantone’s 2025 Color of the Year, Mocha Mousse, reflects this trend—a nurturing shade that appeals to our desire for comfort, warmth, and closeness to nature. This same mood seeps into other popular shades. Look at Benjamin Moore's Sycamore as an example: a pale, salmon-like pink that carries just enough muddiness to transition from pastel to polished, with a hint of nostalgia. “Imagine Sycamore covering the walls of a living room—it evokes warmth and elegance without straying into overly sweet or juvenile territory,” says Royder, “It’s the perfect balance for creating an understated, refined ambiance.”

Or, if you are still leaning toward gray, Royder recommends considering Farrow and Ball's Pigeon. “It’s a beautiful deep shade that is between a smokey stone and pale blue green.” Whatever you choose, “Muddy, nuanced colors like these don’t just paint a room; they shape the experience within it.”