Interior designer warns homeowners away from white paint, favors warm tones

An Irish interior designer has urged homeowners to stop using white paint in their homes, saying certain white shades read as cold and clinical. Aoife Maria Tobin, who runs the award-winning studio At Style So Simple in Ireland, delivered the warning in a TikTok clip posted to her Styles So Simple account. The video, which has drawn more than 16,000 views, targets what she calls “cold, dark white” tones and argues they can make spaces feel less welcoming.

In the clip, Tobin contrasts the bleak look of some whites with what she describes as warm whites that better suit cooler climates and dim natural light. “Stop using blue-toned whites,” she captions, adding that warm whites create “a timeless and inviting space.” She sits in a warm white room in the video and says she had assumed the industry had moved past the problem, insisting, “This white will never work in a home.” Tobin emphasizes undertones matter, noting that whites should carry warmth to avoid a hospital-like feel.

The designer explains that in Ireland’s famously grey skies, warm whites perform better in most rooms. “The whites that you want to use need to have those warm undertones to keep the space feeling cozy. Cozy. They're inviting,” she says. Tobin adds that she has used these shades for years and that newer options have proven reliable in practice. She points to several examples she says work well, including Farrow & Ball’s Pointing, Colourtrend’s Alabaster White, and Little Greene’s Slaked Lime. She also mentions Colourtrend Temperance as a neutral option critical to many of her projects.

Reaction to the video was mixed online. Many commenters offered their own opinions on color choice, with some arguing that people should be free to choose any color they like. When one viewer asked whether white with a yellow undertone is good, Tobin replied, “Yess very good! Xxx just make sure it’s not too yellow xxxx.” Another commenter cited Colourtrend Temperance as a favorite neutral white, to which Tobin agreed, saying she “absolutely loves Temperance and subtle, so versatile!” She also fielded questions about where to apply specific whites—doors, skirtings, and walls—in open-plan spaces, indicating she would tailor advice to individual layouts and light.

The video’s popularity comes amid broader chatter in interior design about trends that shape color and finishes in homes. A separate interior design influencer, Alessandra, who runs the Virtual Edit studio between Essex and London, posted a video that has garnered more than 185,000 views on TikTok (@the.virtual.edit). In that clip, she argues that some trends have dated interiors and that homeowners should rethink them to keep spaces feeling fresh.

Alessandra details five trends she sees as making homes look dated. First, she argues the era of “millennial grey” interiors—gray sofas, curtains, walls, and stainless-steel accents in a largely monochrome palette—has run its course. She recalls a time when many homes appeared to be built around a strict grey schema, with mirrored surfaces and heavy textures that created a cool, uniform look. Second, she says matching furniture sets—where all pieces share identical hardware and wood tones—are no longer desirable, arguing that a more eclectic approach can be more timeless. Third, Alessandra points to the prevalence of sentimental “Live, Laugh, Love” signs, calling them the noughties-era equivalent of earlier slogan decor, though she allows that slogan art can still work in children’s bedrooms when done thoughtfully.

Fourth, Alessandra challenges the popularity of matte black hardware on kitchen cabinets and bathroom taps, suggesting the trend is not timeless and may be worth removing as fixtures are updated in the years to come. She notes that while black fixtures were a bold update during the farmhouse revival, they can feel dated once a property’s style shifts. Fifth, she argues against oversized, single central light fixtures dominating a room, saying ambient lighting and layered sources are a more enduring design choice. She stresses that homeowners should select elements that reflect personal taste and long-term preferences rather than chasing short-lived trends.

Tobin’s emphasis on warm whites aligns with a broader push in the design world toward spaces that feel welcoming and human. Alessandra’s critique of dated trends echoes Tobin’s practical approach: choose tones and textures that adapt to climate, light, and lived experience rather than relying on fashionable palettes that can quickly look tired. Both designers underscore the idea that interiors should represent the people who live in them and endure beyond fleeting fads.

The discussion also reflects a wider conversation about how color, lighting, and furniture choices interact with regional light and architectural styles. In regions with limited natural light, such as Ireland’s frequently overcast climate, warm neutrals can help prevent spaces from feeling sterile or clinical. For homeowners, the takeaway is not to abandon white altogether but to consider undertones and the overall balance of color, light, and texture within a room. A warm white with subtle undertones can pair well with natural materials, wood tones, and textiles to create inviting environments, Tobin suggests. Alessandra’s guidance adds a cautionary note for those who rely on trend-driven elements that may not age well, advocating a more timeless approach to core components like furniture and lighting.

As interior design continues to evolve, the conversations sparked by Tobin and Alessandra illustrate how creators and homeowners alike wrestle with the tension between current aesthetics and long-term comfort. Whether choosing warm whites for walls, picking complementary textures, or avoiding silhouettes and hardware that might soon feel outdated, the goal remains the same: craft spaces that feel like home and stand the test of time.