Skip to main content

Bring these 5 neutral decor ideas into your home

neutral decor with plants
Followtheflow/Shutterstock

It happens—you fall in love with that bold graphic wallpaper, the color of the moment, or a show-stopping fabric that is right on par with the latest trend. At first, you love it. It is a big, eye-catching statement. But fast forward to a year later—the trend is over, and that same quality that made it stand out starts to be a bit too much. When you go with a loud design overall, it leaves little room for change later. The solution is embracing a neutral color scheme that offers flexibility and can be refreshed one piece at a time.

Recommended Videos

We know what you are thinking, won’t neutral be boring? The answer is a resounding no. Neutral design offers an open airiness that lets a space breathe. The key is to bring in texture, various shades of relaxing hues, and layering pieces to give the design depth and interest. Here, we share our tips for how to create a neutral design that is anything but forgetful.

Start with the walls

The easiest way to freshen any space is with a coat of paint in a soothing neutral shade that will serve as the perfect backdrop for everything else you bring into the design. Often when thinking about painting, shades are selected to be a strong part of the design itself. In this case, try thinking about it in reverse. What does that mean? Instead of the color of the walls being the star, a neutral shade allows other elements to stand out.

Even though they may be softer shades, there is still a wide variety to choose from. There are many paint colors within the neutral territory—ivories, whites, warm beiges, soft grays, and blues all work well. One of the biggest bonuses about these hues is they reflect light and give the illusion of making a space feel larger. Who doesn’t want that?

Add in larger pieces

Ground the space with solid furniture pieces that will stand the test of time. A neutral color scheme living room, for example, provides a solid base that can be updated with smaller accent pieces. For couches, love seats, and chairs, whites and beiges will go in any interior and can be dressed up with pillows and throws instead of strong colors and patterns. As always, when choosing large pieces, pay attention to scale and make sure the size will work in your space.

Look at your feet

No design is complete without a rug to ground it. Neutral floor coverings come in all kinds of materials and options. Rugs should be used to designate portions of the room—seating area, dining area, and so on. For a busy home, sisal and jute are popular for their durability. Wool and synthetic will have more options in patterns and hues. If you want to add in a bit more color, rugs are a good place because they are much less expensive and easier to replace than bigger furniture pieces.

Bring in the warmth of wood

One of the best ways to warm up any neutral design is to use wood elements. Look for pieces that reinforce what you want to say—a coffee table made of reclaimed wood, bamboo shades, chairs with a farmhouse vibe, or a live edge shelf are all good examples. Adding touches like these will bring in strong design elements without being overpowering. Vintage and rustic pieces with interesting texture and character work particularly well.

neutral couch with textured pillow and throw
Jodie Johnson/Shutterstock

Infuse the space with personality

One of the best things about having a neutral backdrop is accessories, and accent pieces can be continually added and replaced to mix up the design. By bringing smaller pops of color, you can create vignettes that draw attention instead of getting lost. As with rugs, this is also far less costly than committing to larger bulk items in strong colors.

A great example of this is wall paintings for living rooms. In a busy space, they have a lot to compete with, but they can take center stage in a neutral design. Pillows also add color and subtle patterns. Layering them will create interest. Even pillows all in the same color family can be striking when sizes and fabrics are mixed.

Finally, don’t underestimate the power of plants. Bringing in organic elements adds warmth and softens any design. Large scale plants are a great way to make a statement in a modern space. Smaller botanicals can be added to tables and changed to reflect different times of the year.

A neutral design may not have the flashiness of one filled with busy fabrics and pops of color, but it offers a lasting foundation that allows new and interesting elements to shine.

Darcey Gohring
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Darcey Gohring is a freelance writer based just outside New York City. She served as the managing editor of New Jersey…
’90s decor: The trends we wouldn’t mind seeing again (and the ones we would)
We share some 1990s trends that we welcome with open arms and those that really should remain in the past
High ceiling kitchen with backsplash and wood cabinets

As millennials enter the housing market and make a statement on their spaces, '90s design trends are returning to the home. Often reminiscent of their childhood, '90s kids crave something that reminds them of their youth. However, not all '90s decor needs to make a comeback. Today, we share some 1990s trends that we welcome with open arms and those that really should remain in the past.
'90s trends making a comeback

Y2K may have held the spotlight for the past year or so, but as the '90s kids enter the housing market and invest in their personal style, many are reflecting back on their childhood homes. Here are some 1990s home decor ideas that are trending again.
Frilly grandmillenial details
Grandmillenial decor has skyrocketed as one of the trendiest design styles among '90s kids. Whether it’s because the aesthetic reminds them of their grandmother’s living room growing up or the furniture looks like it belongs on the set of Bridgerton, frilly grandmillenial details are trending. Think furniture skirting, lace details, tablecloths, doilies, and layered curtains. Add dainty fabrics throughout your space and embrace the frills.
Wicker furniture
Wicker furniture was a must-have in '90s sunrooms. However, the desire for wicker decor has reemerged as millennials gravitate toward coastal aesthetics. For example, coastal grandchild is a trending style that uses wicker elements to offer the perfect beach home vibe. While white wicker is popular, wood tones are also making a comeback in boho aesthetics.
Bold patterns
For the past couple of years, millennials have been craving bold patterns and loud prints. Maximalism sparked this trend, but many homeowners are aching to recreate their '90s childhood homes with stripes, florals, and checkerboard patterns. Patterned sofas, in particular, are gaining more traction. Gingham prints are also resurging in farmhouse and cottage-inspired designs.
Wallpaper
It’s fair to say that many people have been scarred by peeling away the hideous 1990s wallpaper. And sure, some resolved to paint over it. But the next generation of homeowners has a newfound love for bold wallpapers and floral prints reminiscent of the '90s looks. It’s only a matter of time before the '90s kids embrace the floral wallpaper borders of years past.
Large entertainment centers
Entertainment centers in the '90s were massive. If you grew up with a large CRT television with a stereo that housed cassette, CD, and VHS ports all in one, then you know what we’re talking about. We will likely see more oversized console tables and entertainment centers this year. While we no longer need to store our dozens of VHS tapes or CDs, these oversized cabinets offer ample storage space.

Read more
Transform your space with these craft room ideas
Organize your supplies and turn your craft room into an inspiring workspace with these stunning ideas
Person in craft room sewing

A designated craft room offers homeowners a space to store supplies, perfect creative projects, and cater to any hobbies and odd interests that don’t have a specific spot in the rest of the home. While an entire craft room may be a luxury, there are plenty of ways to use an odd corner or blank wall to store your most precious pursuits.

Whether you’re transforming a spare bedroom or tweaking the corner of your living room to accommodate your materials, we have some incredible craft room ideas to make the most of your space.
Go all out with a designated craft room

Read more
Contemporary industrial design: The ultimate guide to this sophisticated style
City-inspired factory-scapes with minimal and modern decor
Contemporary industrial loft with black ceiling and large pendant light

Inspired by big-city industrial lofts filled with eclectic art and neutral color palettes, contemporary industrial design has emerged as a luxurious yet grounded home design style. With exposed architecture, weathered materials, and soft color palettes that pay homage to minimalistic decor, the contemporary industrial design blends modern pieces with cozier rustic furnishings. If you are interested in this sophisticated and eclectic style, then you’ve come to the right place.

Below, we’ll show you just how to blend contemporary design with industrial decor to create an expansive and bold look in your space.
What is contemporary industrial design?

Read more