Decorating with a neutral colour palette
In honour of #nationalsimplicityday we have created some ideas and suggestions on how to decorate with neutrals. Your home is your own little oasis, and it should reflect your personal taste and style. However, it's also important to create a space that is both beautiful and functional. Achieving a balance between these two can be a challenge, but it's definitely doable.
Many people are electing to use a more neutral colour palette in their homes in order to create a chic, minimalist look. This approach can help you to achieve both form and function in your home décor. Fortunately, we're finally starting to see the value in "less is more" after years of living in a society that's all about disposable items. Perhaps we have all been influenced by famous minimalist Joshua Fields Millburn who believes “Decluttering won’t give you purpose, but it just might uncover a more meaningful life.” We believe using a neutral colour palette is another way to achieve this balance.
When it comes to interior design, neutral means a classic shade without any colour. This includes colours like beige, ivory, taupe, black, grey, and various shades of white. However, it's important to be aware that these colours often have subtle undertones. For example, beige might have a pink, tan, gold, or grey undertone. White might be slightly ivory, yellow, bluish, or peachy. Neutrals can be used in decor in two basic ways—either as a soft, neutral only, quiet look, or as background colours for dramatic accents.
No matter what other colours you want to use, how much natural light your room gets, or what your personal preference is for light or dark walls, there's a neutral colour that will work for you. Just keep in mind that darker walls can make a room feel smaller and darker, especially if there's not much natural light – lighter neutral tons are perfect for these spaces. If your room is large and light, you have more options for dramatic contrasts and paint experiments.
If you want to add a touch of warmth to your home, consider using a layering colour scheme with wood elements. This can include floors, trim, beams, fireplace surrounds, window frames, and even brick or stone. By using different shades and depths of colour, you can create an inviting and cosy space. Let your home's colour scheme be defined by wood tones. Add warmth and depth to a neutral palette with natural wood pieces, this can create a beachy aesthetic or a more Nordic vibe when pair it with some cosy socks and a mug of coco.
A room full of solid neutrals can feel a little sterile but mixing in a few patterns will immediately add interest. For example, all the pillows in your bedroom could be neutral colours, but the mix of geometric and patterned prints keeps it interesting. You can't have a neutral room without some interesting textures. The textural elements bring sophistication to any space and can break up the palette. Layered textures and tones are the key to any look – we recommend terracotta accessories for that warm, holiday lift.
Another way to spruce up a neutral palette is by using metallic finishes. Metallic accessories are very on trend right now and they can add subtle sparkle to your interior. You could also consider adding a metallic wallpaper with a slight sheen to create a feature wall that will really make the room pop. Neutral tones are a stylish way to create an understated chic look in your home. Wire, ceramic, leather, and stone accessories, and vases add further texture while maintaining the natural materials and neutral tones. Don’t forget that black is a neutral shade too, add darker accents to your room and pair with some dried ferns to give it that Ibiza pop.
We know you are all the best designers so don’t forget to share your interiors with us, tag us on instagram @dandarahomes.