Choosing a Non-Traditional Neutral Color for Your Interior
Let’s consider the modest neutral color palette. Common neutral colors include tan, white, taupe, grey, beige and greige (the popular grey/beige combo). And contrary to the theory that low levels of saturation define a neutral, some would argue that deep charcoal or even black are neutrals despite their intense saturation. While you won’t find a neutral color on a color wheel, you will find color wheel colors used to create neutrals. And if you’ve seen my videos, you may have heard me speak of a “neutral blue or green.” So just what the heck is a neutral and why should you care about them?!
Gray is often a favorite neutral choice.
Taupes and tans are still among the most popular neutrals.
There are still many who will choose white as their neutral backdrop.
As you might have guessed from the opening paragraph, almost any color can also serve as a “neutral color.” You should care about them because, in my opinion, they are awesome and serve as a great foundation for you to be creative in your home while keeping costs down and creating some interesting options. Non-traditional “colorful” neutrals can make a strong visual statement in a space. They also bring with them an interesting set of pros and cons.
This gray-green would be a beautiful neutral in a bedroom or bath.
While this blue has some saturation to it, the gray mixed in with it certainly gives it a more neutral feel.
To achieve a neutral from any color, you’ll probably want to start with a lighter, non-saturated shade. I’m a big fan of this approach, which delivers a stronger sense of color throughout your home. This can work in any room, not just a “special” space like a laundry or powder room. A colorful neutral also sets up your accent colors to really pop when contrasting or complementing the foundation color.
Choosing this beautiful blue as a neutral and pairing it with the contrasting white makes a beautiful statement in this living space.
If you’re like me, the biggest challenge committing to a colorful neutral is your accent color choices may be limited. Let’s say you have a traditional neutral choice such as a taupe or greige. With that foundation in place, you can literally introduce any other color without fear. All colors are welcome! If you love a color, and you always have loved that color, and you always will love that color, I’d say that’s a safe bet to use as a risk-free color neutral. By all means, go for it!
I like to encourage some outside the box thinking when it comes to the color choices, and these colorful neutrals can be a key ingredient in helping you truly love your home and the way it feels. It should feel personal, and as I’ve said many times, color is a very personal choice. Consider the pros and cons as you choose your foundational colors and choose an interior that feels like you.
Now, what will you do next to love where you live?
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