I’m an interior designer – five colors you should avoid in your entryway if you don’t want your home to be intimidating

THE entryway to your home is the first place that visitors will see, so it's not surprising that people like to give it a flash of color.

But interior designers have revealed the five colors you should avoid if you want your home to appear inviting.

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Striking the perfect balance when it comes to can be difficult.

However, interior design expert Devin Shaffer, the Lead Interior Designer at  says in that the color you paint your entryway is crucial.

Shaffer says the space is the first visitors will see and believes, even though it is small, it can be tricky to get right, as it sets the tone for the rest of the public spaces in your house or apartment.

He believes paint has the potential to elevate your entryway instantly, or cast an immediate negative influence.

Here are the five colors some designers say can ruin the initial impression your home has on visitors.

1. Red

The rich color may be synonymous with luxury and good luck in some cultures, but the creative director at interior design firm , Nishtha Dhand, suggests avoiding it for your foyer.

She particularly suggests avoiding burgundy, which she believes is especially overpowering. She says an entryway should be welcoming and warm, but "burgundy will make the space feel weighted and heavy."

2. Black

"Black can appear too intimidating for your entryways. This space deserves a sense of calmness – and black paint would have the opposite effect," according to Dhand.

It's also problematic in relation to beliefs. The designer says it will "bring a sense of dinginess to the space..which may not be very welcoming for your guests and family."

3. Mustard Yellow

Perhaps the most provocative color of all, yellow, or rather, mustard yellow, knows how to start a conversation.

However, designer Nishtha Sadana from  warns that it may provoke a discussion for all the wrong reasons. 

"Mustard yellow may not be a great option for your entryway; it can overexcite the space and make it feel too energetic," she says.

While this color is associated with friendliness, the designer suggests choosing a shade of beige instead to create a similar sense of warmth.

4. Olive Green

Avoiding olive green in your entryway doesn't mean you need to steer completely clear of the color.

Instead, Nishtha suggests that some shades, such as sage, work well in the space that connects your home to the outdoors, but that olive can make the entryway "look muddy and earthy – not a recommendation."

5. Teal

Nishtha Dhand suggests teal is a fine color to use in the bathroom, but not in the entryway to your home.

She says it's a "quirky and eclectic color (and) tends to add too much energy to a space, hence, opposing the idea of a calm and welcoming entryway."

The color is also another no-no, the designer says, when it comes to achieving the right Feng Shui in your home.

As the first area visitors see in your residence, all the designers agree it's important to make the right first impression.