Creating a neutral colour scheme for your home is an excellent opportunity to play around with layering texture and pattern to create a sophisticated look. While I am a true lover of colour, I definitely have an appreciation for a neutral colour scheme done well. The scandi style of design that continues to be popular is a great example of a neutral colour scheme. Creating a neutral colour scheme for your home is a wonderful way to achieve a calm and restful space. Pops of colour can also be added, as I discuss below.
Neutral Colour Scheme
Creating a neutral colour scheme for your home is achieved by having all major areas being shades of neutrals eg. grey, beige, cream, ivory, black or white. It is important that the neutral colours work together, for example a green toned beige will not work with a red-yellow toned beige. Creating a neutral colour scheme for your home can consist of using only different shades of the same neutral throughout – by layering different hues of the same colour to create a very sophisticated scheme. Alternatively neutral colours can be used as a background, with pops of one or two colours as accents. If using colour as an accent, it should be used in focal points and not dotted all around the room. A benefit of a neutral background is that it allows room for change by simply swapping out the accents for those of a different colour.
Tips for creating an all neutral room
- Be sure to choose colours with the same undertones or colour temperature.
- Use different shades of colour.
- Choose a lighter shade for the walls, and use darker neutrals for upholstery, accent wall or curtains to anchor the room. If you are using dark neutrals in a colour scheme that is the colour that you should pick first.
- Choose a rug that is a shade or two darker than the walls, but lighter than the furniture to ensure that there is enough contrast that your furniture can stand out.
- Use furniture and soft furnishings such as curtains, cushions and throws to add layers of shades and textures, which makes the room feel warm and inviting.
- Neutral schemes are a wonderful opportunity to play around with pattern. Choose accessories that have pattern and texture, and that have a few of the shades you have used in other pieces to pull the look together.
- Use dark colours like charcoals, dark browns and blacks to help draw the eye and add some ‘oomph’ to the room.
- Add accessories in wood to create depth and texture, and metallics to lift.
Tips for creating a neutral room with pops of colour
- Start by choosing a neutral wall colour, being mindful of what other colours you will be using, and whether you will be creating a lighter or darker space.
- If using a rug, choose one that is a few shades lighter or darker than your walls to create a cohesive contrast.
- Choose one or two accent colours – not too many, and be careful to consider the colour temperature of the accents.
- Use a pattern that has elements of your ‘canvas’ (wall and rug) colour as well as the colour or colours you are using as accents for furniture or accessories.
- Be sure to use some of your base colour in the smaller accessories such as cushions.
- Choose a patterns in a variety sizes – eg thick stripes on a couch with cushions in the same colours but thinner stripes or a small floral pattern/ geometric etc.
- Use wood and metallic accessories for texture, depth and lift.