How to Properly Create a Neutral Color Scheme in Your Home
Photo by Hannah Busing on Unsplash
Neutrals will never go out of style. And it’s easy to see why—they are versatile and gorgeous in almost all interior spaces. The trick is to know how to incorporate them while maintaining warmth and visual interest.
Millennial gray is out. And we’re glad for that. But neutrals are timeless in interiors—it’s all about finding the right balance to use them effectively.
Why do we love neutrals?
Neutrals create a sense of calm in our interior environments. Which may be needed, as many of us have a lot of chaos going on day to day already. A lot of times neutrals are also symbolic of bringing the outdoor natural materials inside (and who doesn’t feel calm spending time outside in nature). Using a neutral scheme is also an excellent way to incorporate small pops of color that don’t feel overwhelming. Let’s dive more into this…
First off, what is a neutral?
Neutrals are not a part of the traditional color wheel, they are hues that don’t lean towards any particular color family. Colors that come to mind often include white, black, gray, beige, or taupe.
Adding Warmth
When using a neutral color scheme it is important to remember to bring warmth into a space. You don’t want to have a stark white room that has more of a hospital or futuristic feel (unless that’s what you love), instead, choose accents that will add warmth. Adding warmth to a neutral scheme without adding a tone of color can be done in various ways. One popular way is through the addition of wood materials (as is often seen in Scandinavian interiors). Wood adds color without going too bold and it can warm up a space. Think wood coffee tables, dining tables, chairs, beams, flooring, and fireplace mantels. The below pin is the perfect example of wood warming a neutral space.
Adding Texture and Pattern
Selecting textures and patterns that you love is also essential in making a neutral color scheme eye-catching and cozy. This can be selecting a subtle wallpaper (like below) that matches your theme to create a bit of interest in your living area. Or it could be selecting textiles that offer cozy textures or patterns to add visual interest to your space. Unbleached wool can be a beautiful selection for a neutral space. While the color is natural and blends well, the texture of wool can add a layer of dimension to any room. Adding a jute rug is another popular option in neutral interiors, and the color adds warmth.
Adding Pops of Color
Neutral schemes do not have to be monochromatic and devoid of all color. We’ve already discussed how to bring warmth with wood tones (which also adds color). But if you are looking for more of a pop to add to your space, you can very well do that! Greens are very popular and complement neutrals well (it gives the feeling of nature and outdoors). Excellent ways to add this can be painted built-ins, wainscotting, painted kitchen cabinets or islands, adding plants to your space, decor pieces, and selecting green textiles. Terracotta is another gorgeous color to pair with neutrals, giving more of a desert-warm look, and can be incorporated in the same ways as green. But don’t be afraid to add some pops of any other color to a neutral space, whether that be with textiles, books, furniture (a fun colored sofa), artwork, decor, wallpaper, and others. Check out the perfect example below. This space, while neutral, incorporates fun pops of pink.
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