Beyond Millennial Gray: The Most Overrated And Underrated Paint Colors (And How 2025’s Trends Can Help You Move Forward)
Photo by Max Vakhtbovycn
For over a decade, gray and white have ruled interior design, defining a generation of home aesthetics often labeled as "Millennial Gray." This trend, characterized by cool gray walls, crisp white trim, and monochrome spaces, dominated real estate listings, home renovation shows, and social media. It was a go-to palette for its neutrality, versatility, and modern appeal.
However, as homeowners seek warmer, more personalized interiors, many are moving away from the cold, minimalist look. The shift towards rich, inviting, and dynamic colors has begun, and 2025’s paint trends are offering the perfect alternative for those looking to refresh their spaces.
Why Did Gray and White Dominate for So Long?
Gray became the ultimate neutral, a safe choice that worked in nearly every home.
It complemented the rise of open-concept living and paired seamlessly with modern furnishings.
It made spaces feel clean and sophisticated.
Oversaturation led to fatigue, making gray feel cold, uninspired, and lacking personality.
The Most Overrated Paint Colors
While no color is inherently bad, some have been overused to the point of losing their impact. Here are a few that have seen their moment and are now fading from favor:
Gray-on-Gray-on-Gray
Once a sleek, modern choice, layering various shades of gray can make a home feel flat and lifeless.
Cool grays, in particular, often turn blue or sterile under different lighting conditions.
Bright White Everything
All-white interiors can feel stark and uninviting, especially when paired with cool lighting.
White walls with white trim and white ceilings lack depth and warmth.
Greige (Gray-Beige)
A hybrid of gray and beige, greige once seemed like the perfect warm neutral but is now feeling tired and unoriginal.
Without enough contrast, it can make rooms feel muddy or dull.
Cool-Toned Blues
Once a trendy choice for accent walls and bathrooms, icy blue hues can feel overly crisp and lacking in coziness.
Many homeowners find that cool blues don’t transition well in rooms with limited natural light.
The Most Underrated Paint Colors (That Are Actually Livable)
As gray and white take a backseat, warmer and richer colors are emerging as top choices for 2025. These shades add character, depth, and a sense of warmth that many homes have been missing.
Warm Neutrals (Beige, Mushroom, Taupe)
Beige is making a comeback, but with more depth and warmth.
Try Sherwin-Williams Accessible Beige or Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray for a neutral that feels soft and inviting.
Soft Muted Greens (Sage, Moss, Olive)
Greens offer a grounding, organic feel that works in almost any room.
Try Farrow & Ball Treron or Benjamin Moore October Mist for a modern alternative to gray.
Earthy Terracottas & Clay Tones
Rich, warm colors like clay, ochre, and terracotta add personality without overwhelming a space.
Try Sherwin-Williams Cavern Clay or Benjamin Moore Potter’s Clay.
Deep Blues & Greens (Navy, Teal, Forest Green)
These classic, rich colors are making a resurgence as sophisticated and timeless statement shades.
Try Sherwin-Williams Hale Navy or Benjamin Moore Essex Green.
Warm Whites with Depth
Instead of stark white, creamy and warm whites feel more natural and inviting.
Try Benjamin Moore White Dove or Farrow & Ball School House White.
How 2025’s Trends Can Help You Move Forward
If you’re ready to break free from Millennial Gray but feel hesitant about a drastic change, 2025’s emerging color trends offer a bridge between familiarity and freshness.
If You Loved Cool Gray → Try Soft Mushroom Beige or Warm Greige
Colors like Sherwin-Williams Shoji White or Benjamin Moore Classic Gray still have a neutral appeal but feel less sterile than gray.
If You Had Bright White Walls → Try Creamy Off-White with a Cozy Undertone
Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee or Sherwin-Williams Alabaster keep spaces light and airy but add a touch of warmth.
If You Want a Fresh Accent Color → Try 2025’s Deep Teals, Rich Clays, or Muted Greens
Instead of navy, experiment with moody teal or forest green.
Swap stark contrast for earthy terracotta or rust-colored accents.
Conclusion: It’s Time to Move Beyond Gray
The days of defaulting to gray and white are fading, and homeowners now have richer, more inviting options to create spaces with personality and warmth. If your home still feels stuck in the gray-and-white era, a fresh coat of paint can breathe new life into your space.
Ready to upgrade from Millennial Gray? Let Stanwich Painting help you transition to a modern, livable color palette that suits your home and lifestyle.
References and CitationsBenjamin Moore Color Trends 2025. (2024). Benjamin Moore Paints.Source: www.benjaminmoore.comSummary: Provides insights into emerging color trends for 2025, including warm neutrals, earthy tones, and deep, rich hues.
Sherwin-Williams 2025 Colormix® Forecast. (2024). Sherwin-Williams Company.Source: www.sherwin-williams.comSummary: Annual forecast outlining trending paint colors for 2025, moving away from cool grays and stark whites toward warmer, more livable hues.
The Rise and Fall of Millennial Gray: How Home Color Trends Are Evolving. (2023). Architectural Digest.Source: www.architecturaldigest.comSummary: Discusses the dominance of gray and white in millennial home design and why designers are shifting toward cozier, character-rich color palettes.
Color Psychology and Interior Design: How Paint Choices Affect Mood. (2023). Journal of Environmental Psychology.Source: www.sciencedirect.comSummary: Academic study on how different colors influence emotions, productivity, and relaxation, supporting the movement away from cold, impersonal grays.
Houzz 2024 Home Design Trends Study. (2024). Houzz Research.Source: www.houzz.comSummary: Data-driven analysis of homeowner preferences, showing a decline in all-gray interiors and a rise in warmer, earthy color palettes.
The Psychology of White Spaces: Why Too Much White Can Feel Cold. (2023). Psychology Today.Source: www.psychologytoday.comSummary: Explains why stark white walls can feel clinical or uninviting, reinforcing the need for warmer, more complex whites.
National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Home Color Trends Report. (2024). NAHB.Source: www.nahb.orgSummary: Industry report showing shifting preferences away from cool grays in new construction and renovations.