What are neutral colors and how can they work in your home?

When it comes to interior design, neutral colors sometimes get a bad rap for being too safe or too blah. But in your living space, a lack of sharpness can actually be a good thing. First and foremost, you want your home to be your sanctuary, a place where you can relax and retreat from all the stimuli of the world. There’s no better way to create cool vibes than to surround yourself with calm neutral tones like taupe, beige, ivory and more.

What’s more, when you choose a neutral color for your walls or furniture, you give yourself a blank slate to upgrade those pieces with patterns, bold colors and textures. And the beauty is that neutral shades go with everything, you can change often without having to replace all the decor in the living room.

Intrigued by the versatility of neutrals? Here’s a primer on neutral colors and how to use them successfully in your home, from neutral and white color recommendations to tips on what goes with neutrals and beyond.

It’s a neutral color without a lot of intensity or saturation — a color that lacks color, if you will, that generally goes with everything. Examples of neutral colors include:

These shades are visually quiet in interiors, almost receding into the background of rooms and spaces, even when used on walls or larger pieces of furniture. For this reason, neutrals are a great backdrop for almost any design choice, simply because they won’t compete with them. In fact, a neutral background will allow the eye to move freely around the space, allowing the real focal points in the room to shine.

Neutrals are not on the color wheel, per se, but certain neutrals can have color undertones from them, and almost all neutrals play well with primary and secondary colors. You should consider these potential hues and tones when choosing a neutral, whether it’s for your walls, a rug under your feet, a main piece of furniture or a decorative accessory. Note that some colors, such as navy, forest green or terra cotta, for example, are sometimes called neutrals in interiors. While they may function as neutral from a design perspective, they are not neutral by definition.

Both pure neutrals (grey, black, brown and white) i almost neutral (a pure neutral mixed with a primary color; eg tan) make great color options that you can use to create backgrounds for a variety of design aesthetics, from boho to warm minimalism or Art Deco to contemporary design.

The above colors represent some editor-approved shades to consider with different paint brands. Always test a color before you commit to painting it, which will give you a more accurate picture of how it will interact with the light and existing furniture in your space. But know that, in general, a neutral palette can balance out a space and create a sense of calm with simple eyeshadows.

White has recently been one of the most popular colors for living room walls because it goes with everything. the. things. Literally. You can take more risks with color in art, furniture, and accessories when your background is basically colorless. But not all whites are created equal. It is important to consider the natural light situation when choosing true white or neutral:

Lighter, lighter neutral colors will throw more light around the room, making it feel larger. If you don’t want to go with white and prefer some pigment, consider oa dove gray or a soft beige to open a small living space.

This might also be the time to try color in its lightest, most neutral state:

All colors go with neutrals, even other neutrals. That’s the beauty of decorating with neutrals. They are a great starting point for any room as they can often be updated just by changing accessories and textiles.

If you want a visually serene space, consider a neutral-neutral color palette, or, to fill up your environment, start with a neutral paint color and add a few vibrant hues with furniture and/or decorative accents. Bright, bold colors always go better with neutrals, and you can really go with any palette, warm or cool.

Wondering how to match neutral colors to your space? These neutral colors can help you create whatever vibe you’re looking for in your space. Remember: neutrals are classic and understated, so they’re a great base for any decorating style.

Add vibrant hues and patterns alongside neutrals for an eclectic mix for a funky, boho or maximalist look.

Mix almost any neutral tone with lots of black and white for a minimalist vibe. Here, tan textiles become focal points in this classic, high-contrast neutral scheme.

Use a tone-on-tone neutral palette for a sophisticated look. However, in a room with all neutrals, be sure to change the texture of your furniture, adding knits, soft rugs, something woven and even some sparkles to prevent a dull feeling.

An elegant gray neutral, stark white, shade of black or rich brown can serve as a background for a modern design, especially when mixed with metallics.

The neutrally colored gray floor goes well with the soft pink walls. Pink can be combined with warm or cool neutrals, so don’t be afraid to try this chameleon color.

A darker neutral, such as gray, can create a cozy, enveloping feeling in a space. This is especially effective in a bedroom or room with lots of natural light. Play up the earthiness by introducing a hit of olive or forest green.