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Style
3 Neutral Interior Design Ideas That Are Anything But Boring
The internet may poke fun at the “sad beige aesthetic,” but there’s a reason that neutrals remain in heavy rotation no matter what style is trending. Interior designers understand that soft neutrals like tan, ivory, white, and gray are the key to creating a serene sanctuary that feels like an escape from everyday life. Neutrals also serve as a great complementary base for bolder colors, patterns, and textures. So, if you’re looking to build a color scheme for your home that will last the test of time — and complement a range of styles — here are a few ways to decorate your rooms with versatile neutrals.
AUGUST 22, 2024
Neutral living room design ideas
The easiest way to pull off an intentional neutral look is to create some artful moments of contrast. Whether you’re highlighting a sculptural curvy sofa or a wrought iron chandelier, let these special design elements (and your eye for design) really shine against a backdrop of white space that’s created with neutral tones. The overall effect is a calming minimalist look with enough modern edge, so it never feels boring or blah. This is also a great style trick for art lovers. By creating a neutral foundation with wall paint, wallpaper, or large pieces of furniture, you can ensure nothing else in the living room will be visually competing with your masterpiece.
Neutral bedroom design ideas
Why are most bedrooms painted in a light neutral color? It creates the illusion of a brighter, airier, and larger space, which is perfect for smaller bedrooms. Plus, a neutral on neutral bedroom can create a soft, calm, and cozy atmosphere that’s often favored in Scandinavian-style homes. As you layer on the neutrals from light-colored wood to neutral bedding, take note if the monochrome bedroom starts looking a bit one-dimensional. You can counterbalance this flattening effect by adding organic materials that add depth and texture. We recommend classic elements like a wool rug, boucle accent chair, or woven rattan and wicker lighting to serve as visual interest.
Neutral nursery design ideas
If you’re looking to add a little color to the nursery — while still keeping the overall aesthetic gentle and soothing — look no further than earthy neutrals and pastels. And because most parents want to incorporate a dose of bolder color to aid brain development for the little one, here’s our favorite trick to balancing multiple colors in a room: the 60:30:10 rule. This golden ratio dictates that 60 percent of the room should be your base neutral, 30 percent is a secondary color that shares undertones with the base, and 10 percent is the accent shade that can pop without looking gaudy or overwhelming. For a two color scheme room, you can modify it to the 60:40 rule. Following these ratios will make it a breeze to choose a nursery chair, changing table, and crib that all works together seamlessly.
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