Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Is having one different coloured wall is old fashioned?

91 replies

Theendog · 15/12/2025 12:33

My living room is white .. when I moved in I just got every room painted white with the intention of changing it as I decided over time what to go for.

I was thinking of changing the fireplace wall to a much darker colour and leaving the rest of the room white? But is that really dated now?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
10
Noshadelamp · 15/12/2025 12:34

Apparently so, I did it twenty odd years ago so unless it's come back I'd say it's old fashioned.
However, if that's what you like, it's your home, you get to decorate it however you want.

Joeninety · 15/12/2025 12:37

Even more old fashioned is having the bare bricks showing, but it still looks fab to me ?

Straightomyhead · 15/12/2025 12:40

We have this is most rooms in our house and love it. It Might be called old fashioned but if you like it, do it. you’re the one who needs to look at it every day.

DulciUke · 15/12/2025 12:40

I have one different colored wall. It looks fab. Decorate your home how you like.

Growlybear83 · 15/12/2025 12:41

Who cares if it’s out dated if you like it? You should decorate your house to suit you, not anyone else.

Frynye · 15/12/2025 12:43

Have what you like. Dated is used to make people buy more stuff

slowraindrop · 15/12/2025 12:44

I think it looks best if it’s tonal - something like three pale pink walls and then one wall a few shades darker. I wouldn’t do say three brilliant white walls and then a navy blue wall.

RaininSummer · 15/12/2025 12:44

Does it matter? You live there so do what you like.

MayaPinion · 15/12/2025 12:47

I am not a fan of a feature wall. It always looks like the owner could only afford to one wall with the good stuff. You could add interest and depth with art and lighting.

HRTQueen · 15/12/2025 12:48

I think so by those who want to follow trends

i have it stlll as like it

LifeBeginsToday · 15/12/2025 12:49

I like a feature wall.

MayaPinion · 15/12/2025 12:49

MayaPinion · 15/12/2025 12:47

I am not a fan of a feature wall. It always looks like the owner could only afford to one wall with the good stuff. You could add interest and depth with art and lighting.

That’s just me, and what do I know? I’m sitting in my bright yellow living room 😁 If it’s your home for a while paint it exactly how you want. It doesn’t matter a jot what anyone else thinks.

theunbreakablecleopatrajones · 15/12/2025 12:49

I think it's not the current fashion, but that's no reason not to do it if you like it.

HelpMeGetThrough · 15/12/2025 12:52

I’ve just done this to a couple of bedrooms and will be to ours. We like it, so that’s all that matters.

I must be out of the dark ages, as the walls are white, with a grey feature wall. Terrible!!!

MarbleDrive · 15/12/2025 12:53

In the world of interior design and trends, yes, it’s extremely dated.

This is the question the OP asked. I really can’t see the point of lots of posts saying ‘does it matter, do what you like’ etc.

WhereIsMyLight · 15/12/2025 12:53

Unless you’re prepared to repaint and redecorate every 2-5 years (which will cost a fortune), your house will be dated. But it’s your house, you do what you like to it (within reason e.g. don’t paint it neon green if you’re in a conservation area).

The best thing I saw about worrying about trends, it being dated or using most liked colours is if you do this, you’re renting your house from the next owner. You don’t know what the next owner will like, when you’ll sell and what the trends will be then so you should just enjoy your house in a way that works for you.

Ineffable23 · 15/12/2025 12:54

I mean if you're planning to be in the house for another few years it might be back in by then 😂 I've been in my house for ten years and have two rooms I haven't repainted still, so they still have feature walls currently. I don't actually mind them - the colour downstairs would be overwhelmingly dark if it wasn't broken up with lighter colours.

SmaugTheMagnificent · 15/12/2025 12:55

I've got a room like this. I did it because it's not a very light room but it really needed colour. So three walls are a light shade and one is a deep colour. It works well.

Moonlightfrog · 15/12/2025 12:57

Does it matter if it’s old fashioned? If you like it then do it.
my living room is all one colour with a feature wall (wall paper) which is probably not fashionable but I love it.

Dramatic · 15/12/2025 12:58

We have a sort of corner alcove in our living room which goes under the stairs, I painted that a dark blue along with the fireplace wall so approx 50% of the room is a dark blue and the rest is light grey. Looks lovely to me, if the whole room was dark blue it would be really gloomy. It's about 5 years old though so yeah maybe it's getting dated but I don't care, I still love it

Original poster
Theendog · 15/12/2025 13:02

MarbleDrive · 15/12/2025 12:53

In the world of interior design and trends, yes, it’s extremely dated.

This is the question the OP asked. I really can’t see the point of lots of posts saying ‘does it matter, do what you like’ etc.

But what’s in?

I was thinking an earthy red/brown but the whole room might look quite swamped. It’s north facing and dark at the best of times.

OP posts:
Original poster
Theendog · 15/12/2025 13:03

I like these … but again in small already dark room it might make it look worse. But I’m thinking my white is too clinical.

Is having one different coloured wall is old fashioned?
Is having one different coloured wall is old fashioned?
OP posts:
Icouldabeenalawyer · 15/12/2025 13:04

wondering the same myself op as we will be redecorating after Xmas. What is in? Is panelling still in? What colours? Help!

GreyCloudsLooming · 15/12/2025 13:06

Yes, it’s old-fashioned.

youarebeingsoextrarightnow · 15/12/2025 13:06

We have 1 main wall wallpapered. Is this old fashioned, I don't know what the fashion is

In the bedrooms we have 1 wall painted a different colour, normally the wall the bed goes on