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Discover simple steps to transform your home with neutral living room ideas. Learn how to create a timeless, cozy space with a neutral palette, natural materials, and personalized accents.
This post is for those of you who have been thinking about adopting a neutral palette for your home’s decor, but are unsure if that’s what you really want, or are unsure how to do it. Are you worried a neutral space will be boring or bland?
I promise it won’t be! In this post, I will walk you through the easy steps for transitioning to a neutral backdrop, how to incorporate different shades within a neutral color palette, and tips for adding natural materials.
What Is A Neutral Color Scheme?
Neutral means “without color.” It’s calm and cool, relaxed and restful. The following neutral shades are the best place to start:
- White
- Ivory
- Beige
- Taupe
- Brown
- Gray
- Black
Why I Switched To A Neutral Scheme
Many years ago, our family home on Sutton Place was decorated from floor to ceiling with color. I had bright yellow walls in the living room, red and gold wallpaper in the entry, and navy wallpaper in the kitchen. All the window treatments were made from large-scale colorful fabrics. I had a red sofa, yellow toile chairs, and dark wood furniture. 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, and lacked that cozy feeling I was craving.
- 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.
Start With The Background
I lived with all this color for a long time, but I knew I wanted to make a drastic change. My transition to a neutral look was gradual, and began with neutral walls, which are the perfect backdrop. The walls and trim in our current home are painted Snowbound by Sherwin Williams. The walls are a satin finish, and the trim is semi-gloss.
The next steps are flooring and window treatments. These big ticket items will take time, but keep in mind that the changes don’t need to happen all at once. I took one thing at a time, and saved money in between projects. That’s the beauty of decorating with neutrals. They “go” with everything.
Furniture
Once you have your background neutralized, it’s time to move on to furniture and accessories. In my own home, I chose furniture pieces in various shades of beige, and warm whites. Again, this was a very gradual process. I began with a comfortable sofa, and moved on to sitting chairs and accent chairs. I added a coffee table and end tables in warm wood tones. At this point, it was time to accessorize.
Accessories
- Showcase your favorite neutral accessories by creating curated collections. For instance, arrange a group of neutral-toned pitchers or vases, or a collection of antique books on a shelf. This will create visual interest, and showcase your personal style while maintaining a cohesive look.
- The simplest way to embrace natural elements is with your decor accessories. Neutrals and natural elements are the perfect pair. Consider incorporating elements like different tones of wood, stone, jute, or fresh seasonal flowers to bring a sense of nature and warmth to the space. This will add a touch of organic beauty to your neutral color scheme.
- Accessories are also where you can add pops of your favorite colors, and bring in seasonal style. Neutral colors are enhanced with the addition of contrasting accent colors. Consider incorporating bold colors, such as vibrant throw pillows or artwork. A focal point can be created by simply adding color. This is also the perfect opportunity to bring in you own personal style.
How Neutral Home Decor Can Save You Money
Decorating with neutrals can help you save money by minimizing the need for frequent updates and replacements, providing versatility, and increasing the longevity of your decor. Neutrals go with ANYTHING. Once you paint your walls a neutral color, there will be no need to paint them again for many years. Once you neutralize your window treatments, they are there for the duration.
By choosing neutral colors for your “big ticket” items, color and style can be added with inexpensive soft furnishings and accessories. This can save you money in the long run by reducing the need for major redecorating projects. If you get tired of a color, or want to add seasonal decor, you have a lovely neutral background to work with. 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. In minutes, you can create a completely new look for literally no money.
Add Color If It Makes You Happy
Of all the color palettes available, it’s the neutrals that make me happy. I do, however, use blue as an accent color. Using an accent color, or using a variety of accent colors, is the best way to add your own personal style. Even though I don’t think I could live without neutrals, I am positive I couldn’t live without blue either! So it doesn’t have to be all or nothing. The most important thing is that you feel relaxed and happy in your home.
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Candleholders on mantel | vases (similar) | berries | candles | blue block print pillow covers | blue striped pillow covers on sofa | plaid throw blanket on chair | blue striped pillow covers on chairs | 3 tier side table | tufted chairs | living room rug | lamps (similar) | coffee table | round basket tray on coffee table | small dough bowl | large lidded basket on vintage chest | end tables | basket blanket ladder | faux eucalyptus | blue check throw blanket | blue chevron throw blanket | pitchers and bowls are from my personal collection | wall color: Snowbound from Sherwin Williams | flooring: Mannington Restoration Collection French Oak in Peppercorn.
Neutral decor offers a laundry list of benefits that make it a perfect choice for creating stylish and cost-effective living spaces. By embracing a neutral color palette, you can achieve a classic appeal that stays away from trends, saving both time and money in the long run. The versatility of neutrals lets you explore new styles, as smaller accessories can be easily swapped out to refresh the look of a room without breaking the bank.
For window treatments, choose a classic design that won’t go out of style. Full, simple panels, or plantation shutters are a good choice.
FAQ’s
In a world where design trends come and go, neutral decor stands the test of time. It brings balance, peace, and beauty to living spaces while offering practical benefits that make it a savvy choice for those who are looking for both style and savings. Decorating with neutral colors continues to be a no-fail approach to creating beautiful, inviting, and classic homes.
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I love your ideas on decor, and I cannot wait to make the muffins. One suggestion you might consider is adding green to the “neutrals” list. I was told by a decorator that it is the color of nature and is a neutral. In any event it is soothing and goes with just about every color.
Any suggestions for neutral window drapes?
Hello! I don’t currently have any drapes on our windows. When we lived on Sutton Place, I had Pottery Barn Emery window panels in 2 of our bedrooms. I loved them. Here is the link: https://rstyle.me/+vCgmlGlnojsd1ighc_AoeA. My girlfriend just redecorated her bedroom and she hung window panels from Amazon…and they look great. Here is that link: https://amzn.to/42bVLYR. I hope this gets you started!
You created a lovely and peaceful place.
Ann,
I am loving your posts about calm and serene spaces. I could walk in your home and feel so relaxed. I do love color but In our home on our main level things are more neutral and in some instances a bit feminine. Our lower level family room, guest room and office I have kept a more old world look like I had in our lower level before we right sized our home. Recently purchased a beautiful deep green sofa for that area and it is lovely. Pulls out the green in the chairs we brought with us. The two areas are not visible to each other which works perfectly. Have you ever finished your lower level? Just love your new space but as you do I loved your built in bookcases from Sutton place. Keep the great posts coming.
Great post on describing why a neutral palette is a great choice for your house. This information gives me a lots to consider when decorating.
I do have one question – what kind of pillow insert do you use so that you get that nice crease in the pillow?
Thanks,
Susan
Hi Susan! I always use down feather inserts for my throw pillows. They sit tall, and they hold the karate chop in the middle. Here is an Amazon link: https://amzn.to/3PwEQZo Thank you!
Your neutral decor looks lovely!
Can you please give me the link for your sofa, I did not see it listed in the shop and source list.
Thank you!
My sofa is no longer available. It came from a small furniture chain that closed. I’m sorry I couldn’tc be more helpful!
I have gone neutral in my home.It creates a sense of calm and peace which I want in my life the older I get !!
We have a pendulum clock very similar to the one you have. My husband’s father made it for us as a wedding present 42 years ago.😊
Hi Ann,
I love your living room rug and I am thinking of purchasing it for one of my bedrooms. When I read the reviews there were complaints that it shed a lot. What has been your experience?
Thank you!
Denise
Hi Denise…I have not had any trouble with shedding. When I vacuum, there are a lot of carpet fibers that come up. The other thing I have noticed is that when someone sits in a chair, sometimes there’s some shedding where the feet have been. But it comes up very easily. I have had these rugs in both of my houses, and so has my daughter. We love them. Perhaps try a smaller one first and see how you like it? Thank you!
This subject is so timely for me. I had been holding off replacing our upholstered family room furniture as we had been planning to downsize and wanted to wait until we moved. We had been looking in a very small area prepandemic and nothing has come on the market that suits our needs. I have just recently started looking for a new sofa and two chairs. We did purchase a beautiful new area rug with the colors I will use as my inspiration. The rug is cream/beige with hints of darker blue. My present sofa is beige and in great shape and our two arm chairs are leather but I want a change. I’ve decided not to wait until a possible move, and I’m trying to decide what size to get as I know we want a smaller home.
While I have a neutral paint color in my kitchen, entry and bedrooms, I absolutely will not go neutral in my sunroom. It is painted in SW Humble Gold and has been for 20 years. It cheers me up and compliments the sunny feeling of the room. I do love color and make no apologies for it. I will say I’m curious why you used a satin finish on your walls. Most will use flat or eggshell. What made you go with such a high gloss?
Hi Nanci…no one is asking for an apology, especially me! As far as my walls, I guess I don’t consider a satin finish high gloss. It’s very soft, and it’s easily washable. Thank you!
So true Ann. Eggshell and Satin are basically the same. I tend to buy Benjamin Moore and they call it eggshell finish. Not shiny at all.
I appreciate your advice on using neutrals in the home…your posts are always lovely, calming, and perfectly timed. I’m ready for some changes and will be using your suggestions!
I love your home decor!! Neutrals are very elegant but I love my emerald green couch! Can I mix the two in an elegant way?
Absolutely! An emerald green sofa sounds lovely. Pair it with neutral pillows, and bring the emerald green color in with one or two pillows with a pattern. A floral that features the same green would be beautiful. Good luck!
I am not a neutral decor person…it looks nice but for me it is boring. I love color and use it proudly as it makes me happy. But I realize this neutral decor is on trend. I subscribe to the English Homes magazine since I’m an Anglophile, and all the decor is so different than it is here. Lots of pattern and colors. I love English decorating.
I started painting walls furniture, refinishing furniture during the shut down. Our home is very small
And I wanted to brighten !!!! I loved how when is look at others homes who went Neutral looked so peaceful, clean and bright. I love what I’ve done and I’m not going back. Accenting with layers of textures makes keeps it interesting and accenting with brass and black. I’m so happy I
Took on the challenge. It’s been a lot of work but so worth it 💕
Love the neutrals in decorating as well and have used throughout our condo as well as our former little bungalow. Just found your blog and joined in November and I have thoroughly enjoyed reading. My husband enjoyed your Potatoes Delmonico recipe addition to our Christmas menu and now I have it on a card in my recipe box. I am commenting today as your dining room harp chairs brought back a sweet memory for me. My grandmother had a harp chair at her desk and as a child I loved sitting in it. I have no idea where that chair is now, but I think I will be on the look out for one (at least) to have in our home. Thank you for your wonderful ideas, recipes, taking the time to write and for today transporting me to a sweet time and place.
I love your home! I probably would have loved the brighter version too because of your sense of style. Last year I switched to neutrals and my family seems to like it better. In fact, when my thirteen year old redid her room this year she wanted to go with a “warm white”. That was not something this 80’s girl would have ever uttered. Hahaha.
Good for you Ann.
In my last two residences (one a condo, one a single family home) I begin with Benjamin Moore’s Linen white on all surfaces…ceilings, walls, trim, baseboards…then over time if I decide to add accent color, I do. The linen white is so easy to live with and I never tire of it.