As promised when I shared some Easy Neutral Winter Decor Ideas, I’m back to talk about why I love neutral home decor. Before I get started though I want to make sure you know that I’m not trying to talk you into anything. I decorate with neutrals because I truly love them…but if you like color, then stay the course. This post is mostly for those of you who have been thinking about going neutral, but are just not sure. Maybe you think it will be boring or bland…but it won’t be, I promise! Read on for tips on switching to neutral home decor.
Before we get started, I’d like to share what comes to mind when I think of neutral colors:
- White
- Ivory
- Beige
- Gray
- Black
Neutral means without color. It’s calm and cool. It’s relaxed and restful.
Neutral Home Decor: Why I Switched.
Several years ago, our home was decorated from floor to ceiling with color. I had bright yellow walls in the living room, red and gold wallpaper in the entry, navy wallpaper in the kitchen. All the window treatments were made from large-scale colorful fabrics. I had a red sofa and yellow toile chairs. When I chose all this color, I did like it…but after a few years, it became oppressive.
- I couldn’t change a thing because the colors were so specific.
- It was dark.
- There was no place for the eye to rest. There was so much going on that I literally felt edgy.
- I chose fabrics that were trendy and when the trend was over, I was stuck with something I didn’t want.
How to switch to Neutral Home Decor…and where to start.
About five years ago I decided to correct my decorating mistakes. The biggest space is our living room so the first thing I did was paint those walls a very light ivory. I had yellow walls below the chair rail in the dining room and changed those to ivory as well. So…
The first place to start is with the background.
- Walls
- Carpet/Flooring/Rugs
- Window Treatments
Keep in mind that all these changes don’t have to happen at once. I took my time and saved money in between projects. That’s the beauty of decorating with neutrals. They “go” with everything. Once these elements are neutralized, it’s time to decide if you want to stop there or keep going.
I kept going and chose a light ivory sofa, chairs, and ottomans. Some of my accessories are neutral but some are not, especially the seasonal ones. Accessories are where you can add color…or not. That’s totally up to you!
How Neutral Home Decor can save you money.
Decorating with neutrals can save you money in a few different ways. First, they go with ANYTHING. Once you paint your walls a neutral color, there will be no need to paint them again for years. Once you neutralize your window treatments, they are there for the duration.
Tip: For window treatments, choose a classic design that won’t go out of style. Full, simple panels are a good choice.
Second, by choosing neutral colors for your “big ticket” items, color and style can be added with inexpensive soft furnishings and accessories. If you get tired of a color or want to add seasonal decor, you have a lovely neutral background to work with. Last, by decorating with neutrals, it’s easy to give your home a fresh look without spending a dime. Furniture and accessories can be moved from room to room because they are all in the same color family.
Although I honestly could be very happy in an all-neutral home, I still have some color here and there. The walls in our entry are light blue and I have little navy slipper chairs in our living room. It doesn’t have to be all or nothing. The most important thing is that you feel relaxed and happy in your home.
That’s my take on neutral home decor but I have a few blogger friends who are masters at decorating with neutrals. I’m including a few links for more ideas and inspiration!
First up is Kim from Savvy Southern Style. Her great room is all neutral but it’s anything but bland. She mixes beiges, ivories, and whites beautifully. As your eye easily moves around her room, the pops of color add interest.
Next is Yvonne from StoneGable. Yvonne is one of the bravest decorators I know. She is not afraid to try something new and she is constantly updating her decor. She’s confident and has her own personal style down pat!
How to Warm Up White Decor
Cozy and Warm Winter Decorating
Last but not least is Kris from Driven By Decor. Kris is the ultimate master at decorating with gray. Her home is warm and inviting, yet all neutral with pops of gray and black. I could move in and live happily ever after! She recently participated in The One Room Challenge by redecorating her family room. My jaw dropped when I saw her reveal. Take a look!
One Room Challenge Family Room Reveal
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What colors would you recommend for a living room with old woodwork, stained an oak finish? I do love the neutral colors.
If you want to go with a neutral, try to find an ivory with no yellow. Look at paint swatches with the darkest colors in the blue or black families. Stay away from the paint swatches with browns, golds or reds. I hope this helps!
Your photography is just awesome. Love your style.
Oh, but I love your beautiful blue slipper chairs and pops of greenery with boxwood. I have always thought your decorating was colorful and love it.
I love your simple approach to adding neutrals. I have gone through periods where I feel stuck because I have committed to too many colors in one space. It can be hard to begin, but I agree with you about changing the background first. It really can make a difference and get you started in a new direction. And the examples you listed along with your own, are definitely some of my favorite neutral spaces!
Shelley
These are some great tips,thank you and i love all you have done to your home.
Just lovely. Love your ideas. We are planning on a 20×20 all season sunroom this year. I have some ideas but think I need a decorator for sure. We just finished renovating our 1999 Ranch house completely, inside and out. We didn’t do anything to the deck as this is where my dream sunroom will go. Cant wait. I’m making a notebook of ideas. Thank you for your blog. It’s great. Do you travel? Lol God Bless.
My younger self chose a beautiful cabbage rose chintz upholstery for my traditional sofa. My “mature” self longs for the versatility and simplicity of more casual, neutral furnishings.
Your rooms are so pretty. I am torn. I lived in white apartments for so long I want color. My house is from 1910. I am trying to take it back with modern furniture. I have creepy brown walls in every room but kitchen and bath are icky yellow. Flippers. And not good ones either. I like soft but not fond of greys. What is a girl to do? House will be mine in one month when I can do what I want.
Ann- I am with you. I like neutrals, too! I have had color in other homes but this one calls for neutrals and I am happy with it. I can add pops of color in bits and pieces here and there and change it up when I am tired of it.
You features some great ones here. xo Diana
I love neutrals. This is beautiful. This is all I use. I tend to do alot of Ivory.
Anne,
Love your ceam quilt coverlets on the gwin beds . Would you share where you purchased them ?
Thanks,
Molly Devers
Neutral doesn’t have to be bland as you all have shown! I LOVE what you have done! It’s so soothing. Thank you for showing how beautiful neutral can be!
Hi, Ann….
I love your decorating ideas and recipes. I’ve used many and always receive compliments.
Can you give me a few ideas for a winter arrangement for my front porch using one of the metal olive buckets?
Thank you!
Hi Ann, Well as they say, great minds think alike. I have your same end tables and coffee table, however, mine are more of an oak color. I do love the ladder where you have hung throws. My Mother was a quilter and she made my sisters and I each a quilt. I have mine on a quilt rack which I love but it takes up so much room. I’m thinking the little ladder would solve my problem (where did you buy your ladder)? Even though I agree with you regarding neutrals, I can’t seem to get away from color. Even in clothing those colors seem to wash me out but if I wear a pretty coral color my complexion pops. So to that end, I will go on decorating with color but incorporate a neutral here and there. As always, I love your ideas and encouraging me to strive to try something new.
Such great inspiration and advice. For those of us that started decorating in the 1980s, these neutrals are a breath of fresh air! So many old beautiful pieces still fit in, just in a calmer, quieter way! I love your posts, thank!
Great and timely (at least for me!) article. Painters are here this week painting the yellow and gold walls in my entire downstairs to more calming, neutral colors. BM Bleeker Beige in the den, BM Clay Beige in the living room and dining rooms and BM Vapor Trails in the kitchen and utility rooms. The foyer was wallpapered in a neutral tone on tone wide stripe many years ago and I still love it. The colors will work beautifully with the art work and blue and white porcelains I have collected, as well as my beautiful wood furniture. As soon as I saw the colors go up, I realized how much I had come to dislike the yellow and red color scheme! I did keep my sunroom a pretty shade of pale green. All of these are warm neutrals and work really well together. Thanks for continuing to share your lovely home and updates you make to it. Love your blog!
Great article Ann! You make some great points and your pictures do an equally great job of pulling everything together!
When we built our home about 45 years ago, I went with white for the bathrooms but very dark cabinets for the kitchen as was in style in the early 70’s. About 20 years ago, we redid the kitchen in white also. I prefer colors but I save them for quilts and pillows and my collection of blue and white transfer ware. Updating the house as things wear out is so much easier with a neutral background even when you prefer a lot of color.
I love neutrals, too! They create the perfect backdrop for punches of color, which I love to change out from season to season!
I love everything you post! Such good ideas. I live in an older home and can always use your recommendations. Love you Ann!
My home is very neutral as well. I love the calming effect of decorating with neutrals. However, I feel like I need some guidance on how to add gray. My home is mostly white, brown and beige with touches of black. I feel like I should stick with the warm neutrals I already have going on, but I really want to add gray to the mix. Is it okay to add cool neutrals to a sea of warm neutrals? Are there guidelines for doing that?
Hi Kim! Yes it’s perfectly OK to add gray if you want to. The easiest way would be to find a fabric, or maybe a rug, that has both gray and beige/brown. If you have just one element that combines them, then you can add the gray on its own. I hope this helps…good luck!
OK.. Now I have been given spring fever…. let me out of here!!! lol
Its hardly been winter so far here in the south but your blog today makes me want to go home and get going on my projects.
Love your inspiration.
Sandi
Thanks for the article. In the process of going neutral and can’t believe how calming it feels in rooms now. Looking to replace sofas with ones that have slipcovers (kids and dog.) Any suggestions on what to look for in fabrics that wash and wear well?
Ann, I just love your home and am totally inspired to move toward a more neutral décor. I would love to know the paint color you used on your walls if you’re willing to share. I always look forward to your posts, you make it all look so do-able!
Your home is so pretty. Thank you for sharing how you found your decorating style. I love neutral backgrounds with blue. I feel I could live in your home very happily. Smiles
I agree with your comments on neutrals. I live as you describe with adding color to neutrals.
What I have a problem with is creams/ivory and pure whites. STILL DO NOT HAVE THIS FIGURED OUT!
Creams/Ivory looks dirty to me with pure whites. I continue to search for white WALL paints that could be used creams/ivory.
How do I over this? Any suggestions would be appreciated!
I followed your lead in using neutral backgrounds after my downstairs flooded this spring…the walls were painted a neutral called Biscuit, the new carpet was a neutral and when it came to replacing the furniture it was beige and brown….my accent pieces were the pops of color. I have now moved on the the next level in my house and it’s made a huge difference. The only thing I did use for color was inexpensive drapes in a trendy print….less than $20 a window so I know when I change them, it won’t be a big expense. Thx for the encouragement!
I love your home, especially the living room. I’m looking for a neutral paint color like yours, do you have any suggestions?
Love all your tips and advice, Ann. We are working on “going neutral” as we speak. Just bought some lovely Benjamin Moore paint to try and am about to order some beige/khaki slipcovers for the furniture to soften that out. Thank you for providing links to some of the items you discuss. It is sooooo helpful!
I am thinking of changing things in my home to a more neutral palette. You mentioned changing the wall color in your dining room. I was wondering, do you still have wallpaper in your dining room?
Hi Laura…yes I do. It’s above the chair rail. It’s ivory with a light yellow damask pattern. I still like it so it’s staying at least for a while!
I am loving neutrals and am heading that way.I am
slowly changing out items in my home adding touches of
green.Neutrals are very soothing and easy to live with.
I’m with you, Ann, I totally LOVE neutrals. They’re calm, relaxing and easy on the eye; thank you for all of the information/beauty you provide on your website!
I do like the neutral look with various hues of neutrals as well as some with stronger accent pieces.
Good morning Ann, I need to buy new panels for my living room. The ones I have are gray/green, small diamond panels from Martha Stewart, from KMART years ago. I love them! I have a Target gift card from Christmas and this weekend I’m going to check out the neutral panels there. Kathleen in Az
Do you have names of some of the neutrals you use?
Do you mean paint? The wall paint is a custom Sherwin Williams mix. I found very close match at Lowe’s in their HGTV Home Sherwin Williams line. It’s called Belgian White. I checked on it a while ago so I hope it’s still available. Hope this helps!
Ann, the best thing I ever did was removing the red furniture that limited me. I never thought I would love neutrals so much, but I do love adding pops of color, too. Thanks so much for sharing.
I love neutrals too, but I need some color so I also love plaids..
Oh me too Debbie…there is nothing that makes a statement like a fun plaid!