Why Popular Paint Colours Don’t Always Work (and How to Fix Them)

We’ve all been there. You see a paint colour that looks amazing online. It’s all over Pinterest, Instagram, or that interior design show you love. You order a tin, start painting… and suddenly it looks nothing like you imagined. Maybe it’s too dark, too cold, or just a bit “off.”

You’re not alone. Even the most popular paint colours don’t always behave the way you expect once they’re on your walls. That perfect neutral or dreamy sage green that everyone’s raving about can look completely different depending on your lighting, room size, and even your flooring. But don’t worry, that doesn’t mean you have to give up on the colour you love. With a few easy tweaks, you can make it work beautifully in your home.

Why Popular Colours Don’t Always Look Right

Trends are brilliant for inspiration, but they don’t tell the whole story. The photos you see online are usually taken in bright, spacious rooms with perfect lighting and white ceilings. In reality, every home has its own quirks. Different light levels, wall textures, and surroundings all change how a colour looks.

A soft grey, for example, might feel calm and elegant in one home but look cold and flat in another. That creamy neutral that looks fresh in a sunny living room can turn slightly yellow in south-facing light. And the deep navy that feels sophisticated in a big, open hallway might make a smaller room feel more like a cave than a cosy retreat.

So while the colour itself isn’t wrong, it just might not be right for your space.

How Light Affects Colour

I always talk about this one as you guys always ask about colours I’d recommend for your rooms. Lighting plays a huge role in how paint looks. It’s honestly one of the biggest reasons people are surprised once the colour goes on the wall.

North-facing rooms often bring out cooler tones, which can make greys look blue and whites feel a bit stark. South-facing rooms are filled with warm, golden light that can make colours appear richer. This is great for cooler greys or blues that might otherwise feel chilly.

Then there are east- and west-facing rooms. East-facing spaces get lovely bright light in the morning but can feel cooler as the day goes on. West-facing rooms are the opposite. They start cool and become beautifully warm in the afternoon.

The easiest way to see how a colour will behave is to grab a tester pot. Paint swatches on different walls and check them throughout the day. Morning, midday, and evening light can completely transform a shade, so it’s always worth testing before you commit.

Making the Trend Work for Your Home

So, what if you’ve fallen in love with a trending shade but it just doesn’t look quite right in your space? Don’t give up just yet. Sometimes, it’s all about small adjustments.

If the colour feels too strong, try going a shade lighter. If it looks a little washed out, go slightly darker. You can also tweak the undertone by choosing a warmer version if your room feels cold, or a cooler tone if it’s flooded with warm light.

And if that trending deep green or navy feels too heavy on every wall, use it as an accent instead. A fireplace, feature wall, or piece of furniture can be the perfect spot to show off a bold colour without overwhelming the space.

If you’re still not sure, our Colour Match Paint service can help you find the perfect variation of any shade. Whether you’re adjusting the tone, lightness, or finish, you can get the look you love tailored perfectly to your home. The team here is always happy to help find that perfect shade for your home.

Real-Life Alternatives

Love those greige neutrals everyone’s talking about? Try a warmer stone shade for something a little more timeless. Obsessed with navy? A soft blue-grey might give you the same elegant feel without darkening your space too much. And if earthy greens are your thing, explore olive or moss tones that have just enough warmth to feel cosy, not cold.

Here are some colours that's been trending this year:

Farrow & Ball Colours

Farrow & Ball - Skimming Stone No. 241, Farrow & Ball Ammonite No.274, Farrow & Ball - Setting Plaster No.231

Little Greene Colours

Little Greene - Slaked Lime (105), Little Greene - Portland Stone (77), Little Greene - Rolling Fog (143)

Dulux Heritage Colours

Dulux Heritage Sage Green, Dulux Heritage - Pale Walnut, Dulux Heritage - Stone Green

Sometimes, it’s not about copying the exact shade from your feed, it’s about finding your version of it. And you can do that by consulting our expert team for an alternative colour and using our colour match service to get the perfect trendy shade for your home.

Trendy paint colours come and go, but the best shades are the ones that make your home feel right every single day. So don’t worry if that viral colour doesn’t quite work for you. With a little testing, tweaking, and the right advice, you can still achieve the look you love in a way that suits your space perfectly. If you have any questions, feel free to DM us on Facebook, Instagram or TikTok or message us on WhatsApp. Visit our Contact Us page for more ways to connect. We’re always here to help!

Helen x