Decorating
Decorating: Inspiring New Ways to Use Neutrals
Think neutrals are dull? Done well, they’re anything but. Here’s how keep your beiges, greys and whites bang up to date
A neutral palette has become the backbone of most modern interior schemes. Unless you’re a full-on colour fiend or staunch maximalist, chances are whites, beiges, browns, greys and creams feature somewhere in your home.
Why do we love neutrals so much? Because they’re elegant, easy to live with and provide a calm, ordered backdrop for our frequently hectic lives – plus, of course, they’re super-easy to accessorise. However, the term ‘neutral’ is misleading – these ‘invisible’ colours vary hugely from each other in terms of impact and mood. And fashions and trends constantly shift: a decade or so ago magnolia, with its peach undertones, was the neutral of choice, while today grey is having a moment, and whether you call it biscuit, oatmeal or champagne, much-maligned beige is still a key component in numerous stylish rooms.
Even eternally in-vogue white can vary enormously, depending on whether you choose tones from the cooler, bluish end of the spectrum or the warmer, yellower end. Here are a few ideas for keeping your neutrals on-trend right now.
Why do we love neutrals so much? Because they’re elegant, easy to live with and provide a calm, ordered backdrop for our frequently hectic lives – plus, of course, they’re super-easy to accessorise. However, the term ‘neutral’ is misleading – these ‘invisible’ colours vary hugely from each other in terms of impact and mood. And fashions and trends constantly shift: a decade or so ago magnolia, with its peach undertones, was the neutral of choice, while today grey is having a moment, and whether you call it biscuit, oatmeal or champagne, much-maligned beige is still a key component in numerous stylish rooms.
Even eternally in-vogue white can vary enormously, depending on whether you choose tones from the cooler, bluish end of the spectrum or the warmer, yellower end. Here are a few ideas for keeping your neutrals on-trend right now.
Layer warm shades
The key to keeping neutrals interesting is combining subtly different colours and textures. In this bedroom, shades from the warmer, yellower end of the neutral palette – gold, butterscotch and oatmeal – teamed together have a radiant effect.
Cushions with soft sparkle and sheen, a padded headboard and a toasty knitted throw all add to the luxurious effect, along with the mirrored furniture.
The key to keeping neutrals interesting is combining subtly different colours and textures. In this bedroom, shades from the warmer, yellower end of the neutral palette – gold, butterscotch and oatmeal – teamed together have a radiant effect.
Cushions with soft sparkle and sheen, a padded headboard and a toasty knitted throw all add to the luxurious effect, along with the mirrored furniture.
Go back to black
You might not automatically think of it as such, but black is a neutral. It goes with everything and, as any fashionista knows, it never goes out of style. So it’s no wonder it has gradually been creeping back into our homes in recent years. If you’re after a look that’s deliciously decadent, and has intense evening appeal, then give this grown-up shade a whirl.
To stop black seeming too inky and intense, make sure you break it up with different elements, such as the glossy surfaces and gauzy white curtains in this room. Sheer class.
See more ideas for decorating with black
You might not automatically think of it as such, but black is a neutral. It goes with everything and, as any fashionista knows, it never goes out of style. So it’s no wonder it has gradually been creeping back into our homes in recent years. If you’re after a look that’s deliciously decadent, and has intense evening appeal, then give this grown-up shade a whirl.
To stop black seeming too inky and intense, make sure you break it up with different elements, such as the glossy surfaces and gauzy white curtains in this room. Sheer class.
See more ideas for decorating with black
Mix dark and light elements
The modern neutral look is no longer about a sea of sickly magnolias and inoffensive creams. In this elegant room, black furniture adds solid definition to the dining space, while the lounging area is lighter and brighter, with a corner sofa in a biscuit shade. The result is still neutral, but with added bite.
The modern neutral look is no longer about a sea of sickly magnolias and inoffensive creams. In this elegant room, black furniture adds solid definition to the dining space, while the lounging area is lighter and brighter, with a corner sofa in a biscuit shade. The result is still neutral, but with added bite.
Do the industrial nude
OK, industrial isn’t strictly a neutral trend, but many of its components have become ‘invisible’ signposts of style; a way to look cool and modern without the need for loud colours or big, look-at-me designer pieces.
This kitchen-diner showcases many of this trend’s key factors: vintage metal chairs, wooden worktops, an exposed brick wall, white metro tiles, a salvaged-wood bench and metal pendants. The overall effect is warm and extremely stylish, but also still neutral.
OK, industrial isn’t strictly a neutral trend, but many of its components have become ‘invisible’ signposts of style; a way to look cool and modern without the need for loud colours or big, look-at-me designer pieces.
This kitchen-diner showcases many of this trend’s key factors: vintage metal chairs, wooden worktops, an exposed brick wall, white metro tiles, a salvaged-wood bench and metal pendants. The overall effect is warm and extremely stylish, but also still neutral.
Use white in a soft way
If you’re worried all-white will look too clinical, minimal or soulless, take a lesson from this indulgent bedroom. The smart way to do white is to use soft textures: so the drapes behind the bed subtly soften things up, along with an oversized quilted headboard. The chandelier, carpet and fluffy bed cushions add texture to a look that exudes pared-back glamour.
If you’re worried all-white will look too clinical, minimal or soulless, take a lesson from this indulgent bedroom. The smart way to do white is to use soft textures: so the drapes behind the bed subtly soften things up, along with an oversized quilted headboard. The chandelier, carpet and fluffy bed cushions add texture to a look that exudes pared-back glamour.
Add a pop of colour
It might sound counter-intuitive, but one of the most modern and versatile ways to do neutrals is actually to add a little colour. In other words, stick to a totally white, cream or nude backdrop – including walls, floors and key items of furniture. Then add personality and some rock ’n’ roll flavour with a few bright accessories.
This white room has been livened up and given retro kudos with the colourful blind, geometric rug, lamp base and artwork. The good thing about colourful accessories and artworks is that, if you do get bored, they can easily be swapped around.
It might sound counter-intuitive, but one of the most modern and versatile ways to do neutrals is actually to add a little colour. In other words, stick to a totally white, cream or nude backdrop – including walls, floors and key items of furniture. Then add personality and some rock ’n’ roll flavour with a few bright accessories.
This white room has been livened up and given retro kudos with the colourful blind, geometric rug, lamp base and artwork. The good thing about colourful accessories and artworks is that, if you do get bored, they can easily be swapped around.
Combine with rich wood
Real wood has become a bona fide neutral staple, adding both warmth and colour to white, cream or beige schemes without being busy or faddy. The key is choosing pieces of furniture made of quality wood in rich colours, such as the chairs, tabletop, worktop and, unusually, splashback in this kitchen-diner. The effect is timeless and sophisticated.
Whichever kind of wood you use – whether lighter woods such as birch or beech, or darker ones such as mahogany – try sticking to one tone and finish to keep things looking sleek and upmarket.
Real wood has become a bona fide neutral staple, adding both warmth and colour to white, cream or beige schemes without being busy or faddy. The key is choosing pieces of furniture made of quality wood in rich colours, such as the chairs, tabletop, worktop and, unusually, splashback in this kitchen-diner. The effect is timeless and sophisticated.
Whichever kind of wood you use – whether lighter woods such as birch or beech, or darker ones such as mahogany – try sticking to one tone and finish to keep things looking sleek and upmarket.
Dare to bare
An artfully bare plaster wall can have a surprisingly stylish effect on a room. More interesting than plain paint, plaster has natural colour variations that create a subtle marbled effect. This rustic retreat also features stone tiles in neutral shades, so the overall impression is of simple, back-to-basics elegance.
An artfully bare plaster wall can have a surprisingly stylish effect on a room. More interesting than plain paint, plaster has natural colour variations that create a subtle marbled effect. This rustic retreat also features stone tiles in neutral shades, so the overall impression is of simple, back-to-basics elegance.
Inject some mono magic
No longer seen as too 1980s or stark, the trend for monochrome interiors is having a resurgence. It’s a way to do neutrals in a quirky, cool way that isn’t bland, while still keeping things relatively simple.
Rather than automatically sticking to blocks of black or white, think about whether pattern could work, too. In this living room, graphic cushions, rugs and artworks all add pizzazz.
Want the monochrome look? Check out this story
No longer seen as too 1980s or stark, the trend for monochrome interiors is having a resurgence. It’s a way to do neutrals in a quirky, cool way that isn’t bland, while still keeping things relatively simple.
Rather than automatically sticking to blocks of black or white, think about whether pattern could work, too. In this living room, graphic cushions, rugs and artworks all add pizzazz.
Want the monochrome look? Check out this story
Focus on structure
If you have stylish, structured elements in place, then colour becomes less important. In this super-cool room, the oversized pendants, designer dining chairs and clean-lined table are the stars, while the sophisticated neutral palette contributes to a relaxed atmosphere.
If you have stylish, structured elements in place, then colour becomes less important. In this super-cool room, the oversized pendants, designer dining chairs and clean-lined table are the stars, while the sophisticated neutral palette contributes to a relaxed atmosphere.
Embrace brown
The right shade of brown can work beautifully as a paint colour, creating a backdrop that’s both cosy and inviting, as this bedroom proves. Brown has also been slowly edging its way back into vogue, with colours such as ‘almond’ and ‘hazel’ popping up on colour charts.
Warmer than grey, the key is finding the right shade, so be prepared to splurge on a few tester pots. But if you want a more modern effect, steer away from muddy reddish shades and opt for cooler taupes and stones. Then team with crisp white paint on ceilings and doors, as here, to ensure the brown doesn’t drag things down.
TELL US…
What ideas do you have for using neutrals cleverly? Share your tips and photos in the Comments below.
The right shade of brown can work beautifully as a paint colour, creating a backdrop that’s both cosy and inviting, as this bedroom proves. Brown has also been slowly edging its way back into vogue, with colours such as ‘almond’ and ‘hazel’ popping up on colour charts.
Warmer than grey, the key is finding the right shade, so be prepared to splurge on a few tester pots. But if you want a more modern effect, steer away from muddy reddish shades and opt for cooler taupes and stones. Then team with crisp white paint on ceilings and doors, as here, to ensure the brown doesn’t drag things down.
TELL US…
What ideas do you have for using neutrals cleverly? Share your tips and photos in the Comments below.
Once derided as dreary, grey has had a meteoric rise to become the fashionable neutral paint colour of the last few years – an instant signifier of sophistication and calm. And it looks set to stay on-trend for a while yet.
If you’re worried about rooms seeming too dark, choose a lighter grey, or use it in spaces with a decent natural light source, as here. Then lift the room with some brighter touches. These beautiful white winged armchairs add welcome points of light against the dove grey backdrop.