What Are Neutral Colors? 6 Color Palettes Straight From Our Favorite Designers

Neutral colors are relaxing and soothing. A palette composed of neutral colors such as white, beige, gray, and black creates a timeless backdrop that complements any interior design style. 

You can energize a neutral space with brighter color accents, contrasting murky and featherlight shades, patterns, and texture. A neutral backdrop will allow you to update and refresh your interior easily with wall decor, rugs, furniture, and accessories.

What Are Neutral Colors? 

Neutral colors are subtle, muted shades that lack saturation and hue, and do not appear on the color wheel. This makes them versatile and uncomplicated to pair with more assertive colors. 

There are two main types of neutral colors: true neutrals and near-neutrals. True neutrals lack prominent undertones, whereas near-neutral colors have subtle undertones that add a hint of color and make them slightly softer than true neutrals.

Common Neutral Colors

• Black
• White
• Gray
• Beige
• Greige
• Taupe
• Ivory
• Cream
• Brown
• Near-neutrals such as navy, olive, or blush pink

Creating a Neutral Color Palette

Neutral colors are uncomplicated to mix and match. Focus on a single neutral such as white, gray, or black to complement a minimalist or contemporary space. Or mix featherlight or murky neutral shades such as browns and tans or grays and whites to add depth to a established or up-to-date interior.

Here are a few examples of how to put together an uncomplicated neutral color palette for any room. 

Shades of White

Reduce decision fatigue by committing to an all-white palette. Choose shades from pure white to cream, ivory, and beige to add variation.

All-Black

Create a moody feel with an all-black palette. Shades of charcoal that straddle the line between gray and black will have a softer feel than true black on walls, rugs, and upholstery.

Black and White

Black and white is a classic neutral combination that provides plenty of contrast and can work in any style interior. Combine black walls with pale wood flooring and neutral furnishings and decor for a up-to-date look.

Brown and Beige

Decorate a midcentury up-to-date living room with shades of off-white, beige, and brown. Use varying tones of wood and leather accents to add warmth to an off-white room.

Mixed Warm and Cool Neutrals

Combining both balmy and frigid neutrals will lend balance to your room. Paint the walls balmy beige and pair with a gray rug and cool-toned upholstery to complement a established, transitional, or up-to-date space.

Gray and White

Gray and white is a classic neutral color combination that can work in any style interior. Pair frigid grays and brilliant whites for a up-to-date feel, or choose warmer shades of gray and off-white for a more established space.

Decorating With Neutral Colors

Incorporate Multiple Textures

The key to keeping a neutral space from feeling flat is to mix textures and finishes. Think elements like bouclé upholstery on the sofa, a textural rug, a concrete skim coat on a brick wall, or a sheepskin draped over an armchair.

Add Shine With Metallics

Add shine to a neutral space with metallics. Choose silver, gold, copper, or mixed metals on lighting, accent tables, or decor objects to suit your taste and style.

Highlight Rustic Materials

Rustic materials like brick, wood, and stone will add warmth and texture to a neutral color scheme. Complement reclaimed wood beams, a rustic brick tile floor, or a stacked stone fireplace with neutral colors on upholstery, window treatments, and rugs for a harmonious quality.

Accent With Natural Greenery

Potted plants, living walls, preserved moss wall art, or vases filled with branches will energize a neutral interior. Pick up shades of green in accents like throw pillows for a cohesive design.

Introduce Subtle Patterns

Patterns in subtle color combinations will add interest to a neutral space. On upholstery, throw pillows, window treatments, lampshades, and rugs, a mix of understated patterns from plaid to florals will add coziness to your room.

Brighten With Color Accents

Brighten a neutral living room with colorful accents. Make it straightforward and combine a colorful rug with accent pillows on the sofa and armchairs to introduce color that can be swapped out easily over time.

Choose a Near-Neutral

Near-neutral olive green is a up-to-date alternative for creating a soothing earth-toned backdrop in a living room, family room, home office, or bedroom. Paint both the walls and the ceilings for an enveloping atmosphere.

Warm With Shades of Pink

Pink is a versatile shade that complements neutrals and can act as a near-neutral when combined with plenty of white and natural tones. From blush to nude to balmy terra-cotta, feel free to apply pink to add warmth to a up-to-date neutral interior.

Use Warm Lighting

Complement a balmy beige living room with balmy lighting to create a flattering glow and a relaxing feel. Choose balmy featherlight bulbs and prioritize fabric lamp shades that will produce a gentle filtered effect.

Cool With Coastal Blues

Light shades of blue will complement a neutral interior for a fresh coastal look. Pale blues that are reminiscent of sky and sea will add a hint of cool-toned color that feels neutral but adds subtle variation to a room decorated with white, wood, and woven finishes.

What Neutral Colors Go With Anything?

Black, white, cream, beige, gray, and tan will pair with any colors. Brown, olive green, and navy are also versatile near-neutrals that play well with others.

Which Color Is More Neutral, Gray or Black?

Black is considered the ultimate neutral since it is characterized by the absence of color. While black may look more blue or green or gray depending on the featherlight and any undertones in paint or fabric, the mixture of black and white that is gray tends to have more variation, making it less neutral than black.

What Is the Most Popular Neutral Color? 

The most popular neutral color is undoubtedly white. Warm or frigid, this deceptively sophisticated color can look yellow, gray, pink, peach and beyond depending on its undertones as well as the featherlight conditions and furnishings in your room.