Neutral interior design has become synonymous with contemporary architecture, Scandinavian style, and urban chic design. This clean, monochrome base offers the opportunity to make your mark in the details. Personalisation comes in pops of colour, natural materials, and a tactile array of textures. It is classic, minimal, and ideal for lovers of art, home accessories, and greenery. In this guide, we'll explore creative ways to incorporate neutrals into your home, offering tips and inspiration to help you master the art of layering shades, textures, and accents. Discover how to make the most of neutral hues and create an interior that is both inviting and effortlessly chic...
Neutral designs are the foundations of a strong interior. They are arguably the most versatile colour scheme you could select. Stealing the show is not the intention, it is a blank canvas upon which to build and showcase more bold pieces.
The natural connotations to these base colours alleviate pressure and diffuse stress, providing restoration and balance for the mind. They create a safe atmosphere which provides a soothing sense of sanctuary. It is ideal for every interior, as it offers such a comforting and tranquil colour scheme, no matter the location or purpose of the room. It's also the perfect clean slate to stamp your personality onto. Here's how to create a neutral interior design scheme in your home.
Neutral wallpaper is versatile and works beautifully, whether plain or patterned. It pairs effortlessly with almost any pattern or colour, making it an ideal choice for a feature wall or for playing with perspective in rooms with unusual angles. Neutral colours’ subtlety allows for the use of bolder patterns, as they can balance out larger designs. For instance, a large floral print can maintain an elegant appearance when rendered in muted tones.
Top tip: If large patterns feel overwhelming, consider using them on a single feature wall. Then, match the surrounding paint with the wallpaper's base colour. This approach can make a room appear larger, especially on a windowless wall or the wall furthest from the door. Alternatively, place it behind seating areas or beds to create a stylish backdrop rather than a focal point.
For added interest, pair neutral wallpaper with textures to create a cozy and dynamic environment. Materials like velvets and linens bring sumptuous comfort and a tactile feel to any space. You can also incorporate natural textures through artwork, raw wood elements, or statement lighting, which introduce unique qualities to your decor scheme.
In the past, people often avoided neutral paint colours because they were perceived as cold, clinical, and hard to maintain. However, the range of neutral options available today has expanded significantly, including many warm tones that are now in high demand. Unlike the stark contrast between white interiors and bold decorations, modern neutral paints can add depth to a room, making spaces feel more inviting, especially in dreary climates.
Top tip: In rooms with limited space for home accessories, such as kitchens or small bathrooms, the qualities of neutral paints can be especially valuable. To persuade any neutral sceptics, explore the variety of finishes available, including glossy, matte, emulsion, flat, floor, and outdoor. The key is to choose a neutral paint, order a sample, and test it in your home to see how it looks and feels in your specific environment.
Neutral fabrics instantly bring simple elegance to an interior and provide an effortless way to brighten up a room. They are particularly effective as curtains, as they open up the space and make it appear larger—an especially useful trick for narrow windows or north-facing rooms. This effect also applies when using neutral fabrics for roman blinds or roller blinds.
The versatility of neutrals is part of their charm, offering endless possibilities for use. Let your interior design scheme guide you to the perfect neutral colours and combinations.
Top tip: The key to creating a cohesive and balanced look is layering. Test out your scheme by mixing different patterns including small designs, soft florals, and neutral stripes to add subtle intrigue to your interior design. Mix and match throughout the room, or echo the same design on other surfaces like cushions or lampshades, place your samples around the room so you can see how their size and scales will look.
Using neutral lighting effectively can enhance the ambiance of a space without overwhelming the décor. Accentuate the textures and tones of your décor, neutral lighting can also bring out subtle beauty in aspects such as natural materials like wood, stone, and linen.
By combining different types of lighting, you can create depth and interest. For instance, use ceiling lights for general illumination, table lamps for focused tasks, and wall sconces or spotlights to highlight artwork or architectural features.
Top tip: Opt for bulbs with a colour temperature between 3000K and 4000K, which falls in the neutral range. This provides a balanced light that is neither too warm nor too cool, making it versatile for various settings.
Neutral upholstery fabric often get a bad rap for being easily tarnished. However, advances in performance fabric technology have made many neutral materials durable and resistant to wear and tear, suitable for everyday use. Neutral fabrics are a fantastic way to highlight your favourite patterned designs. They can serve as a central focal point in a room or be mixed with plain fabrics, textured wallpaper, and other patterned accessories to create a warm and stylish space.
Top tip: Order a large returnable sample of your chosen fabric so that you can see more of the pattern, to determine how it will look or a large piece of furniture or headboard.
If you are looking to create a calm and inviting bedroom to relax in, then choosing a neutral colour palette will help you achieve this. Your very own sanctuary to retreat to after a busy day, we’re chosen our favourite bedroom ideas to inspire you.
The calming neutral decor contrasts beautifully against the dark wood and highlights of copper to create an amazing elegance. Packed full of textures and warmth, we've shopped the look so you can recreate it at home!