When you think of neutral colors, you probably think of white, black, or gray—colors that most people would find bland or boring. But neutral colors are making a comeback in interior design, driving out the bold, high-contrast colors that dominated modern décor. More and more people are starting to appreciate the timeless appeal of neutral colors and discovering stylish new shades like beige, brown and cream. If you want to go back to basics and reintroduce neutrals into your home, here are some simple ways to get started.
<em>Wooden furniture. </em>Wood has a warm yet neutral tone that goes well with any décor theme. Although often associated with country design, it also goes well with traditional, colonial, and even contemporary. A wooden bench or couch can tone down colorful room fabrics and give the room a sense of balance. Choose a shade that blends well with the rest of your home—dark woods usually suit large, elegant spaces while lighter ones are best for casual rooms.
<em>Area rugs. </em>Most people immediately think of bright colors when they think of area rugs. But manufacturers are quick to jump on the trend, and many are now rolling out neutral-colored rugs that perfectly fit modern styles. Beige, yellow, and gray are some of the most popular colors. Use it to soften a room with lots of color and personality. If these shades are too plain for you, look for patterned pieces—they'll add texture and movement to make your space more interesting.
<em>Window treatments. </em>Contemporary décor favored brightly-colored drapes and curtains that gave a nice play of light to the room. But this tends to dim your space down and make you less productive. Pale neutrals like yellow and cream can still give you that soft glow while keeping the room bright and sunny. Alternatively, you can use blinds on larger windows to get better control of the brightness.
<em>Wall features. </em>Prints, paintings and photos make excellent wall accents, but what if your wall is already an interesting color? Tone it down with neutral-colored accessories like wooden frames and sculptures. It helps even out the color in the room while bringing out the natural beauty of your walls. Some of the most useful wall colors are brown, gray, and black.
<em>Wooden furniture. </em>Wood has a warm yet neutral tone that goes well with any décor theme. Although often associated with country design, it also goes well with traditional, colonial, and even contemporary. A wooden bench or couch can tone down colorful room fabrics and give the room a sense of balance. Choose a shade that blends well with the rest of your home—dark woods usually suit large, elegant spaces while lighter ones are best for casual rooms.
<em>Area rugs. </em>Most people immediately think of bright colors when they think of area rugs. But manufacturers are quick to jump on the trend, and many are now rolling out neutral-colored rugs that perfectly fit modern styles. Beige, yellow, and gray are some of the most popular colors. Use it to soften a room with lots of color and personality. If these shades are too plain for you, look for patterned pieces—they'll add texture and movement to make your space more interesting.
<em>Window treatments. </em>Contemporary décor favored brightly-colored drapes and curtains that gave a nice play of light to the room. But this tends to dim your space down and make you less productive. Pale neutrals like yellow and cream can still give you that soft glow while keeping the room bright and sunny. Alternatively, you can use blinds on larger windows to get better control of the brightness.
<em>Wall features. </em>Prints, paintings and photos make excellent wall accents, but what if your wall is already an interesting color? Tone it down with neutral-colored accessories like wooden frames and sculptures. It helps even out the color in the room while bringing out the natural beauty of your walls. Some of the most useful wall colors are brown, gray, and black.