The Popular Paint Shade Bobby Berk Would Never Use On An Entire Wall

Painting your walls is one of the easiest ways to give your room a new look. You can make a space appear larger and brighten the ambiance, all with a coat of paint. However, the color you choose makes a huge impact. Interior design expert, Bobby Berk, took to TikTok to share his go-to wall color choices that create a more inviting, chic space. But, among his advice, red received a special shout out. "Painting a whole wall red — no," the interior designer said. Red might be the bold color trend you'll be seeing more of, but adding it from floor to ceiling may not be the best way to invite this hue into your home.

"Red is a color that can be kinda iffy," Berk explained in the video. "If you have high anxiety, I wouldn't recommend red." The bold color can spark excitement and energy, which may not always be a good thing, especially in an area where you're seeking relaxation and tranquility. Since it's so intense, it can also make a room feel closed-in if all the walls are saturated in it. While red takes a back seat, there are a few bold wall paint colors Berk always turns to. Green, yellow, orange, and black were his recommended choices for giving your walls some life. And, while you won't spot walls covered in red in this design guru's portfolio, Berk did recommend ways to sprinkle the hue into your home without making a major design mistake.

If you favor red, there are still ways to incorporate the vibrant hue in your design. "That being said, just bringing in red as like an accent, in like a sofa, is okay," Bobby Berk shared on his TikTok. Furniture and decor is an excellent way to use bold colors in a home. Further, if the red becomes too much, it's easier to swap out a scarlet vase or curtains than to repaint an entire room. 

Although Berk doesn't favor the whole wall being red, a partial paint design might get a pass. Partially red accent walls or wallpaper with scarlet accents embrace the fierce color, but balance its intensity. The shade of red also makes a difference. Dark, rich hues that have an earthy tone can ground your space and won't feel as striking. They can add warmth without being jarring. In fact, Berk favors Sherwin-Williams' Bolero, a deep cozy shade, when it comes to paint.

Most importantly, as you flip through swatches and sample paint, Berk advises, "Pick whatever color makes you happy." At the end of the day, it's your home and the design should speak to you. If red takes you to your happy place, get creative and use it in your own way. But if it turns out to be a nightmare, you can't say you weren't warned.