Decorating
How to Prevent Your Neutral Scheme From Falling Flat
Dodge the bullet of bland interiors with these tips for enticing neutral décor
Sometimes you can think you’re creating a peaceful haven of muted tones, but what you end up with looks more like colour-blocked beige. Effective neutral interiors feature many different elements – combined with subtlety – to create interest without colour. Get the right basics (such as rugs, paint colours and furniture) and it’s then just a case of populating your place with art, books, plants and personal touches to bring it to life.
Look for balance
When working with neutrals in a contemporary kitchen, temper gloss cabinets and sharp edges with more organic elements. Wooden finishes amplify the beauty of clean lines while bringing tactility. With its timber-legged chairs, this kitchen achieves the perfect balance.
A wooden worktop or table would be another easy way to bring in some softness.
See more images for white kitchen ideas
When working with neutrals in a contemporary kitchen, temper gloss cabinets and sharp edges with more organic elements. Wooden finishes amplify the beauty of clean lines while bringing tactility. With its timber-legged chairs, this kitchen achieves the perfect balance.
A wooden worktop or table would be another easy way to bring in some softness.
See more images for white kitchen ideas
Incorporate uplifting colour
Even if you’re keen to keep your neutral scheme feeling clean and serene, there’s no denying the mood-enhancing effect of a little colour. This soothing sleep space is enlivened by bright raspberry cushions in the same floral print as the neutral wallpaper. Floor-sweeping eau de nil curtains are another elegant choice that negates beige overload.
Even if you’re keen to keep your neutral scheme feeling clean and serene, there’s no denying the mood-enhancing effect of a little colour. This soothing sleep space is enlivened by bright raspberry cushions in the same floral print as the neutral wallpaper. Floor-sweeping eau de nil curtains are another elegant choice that negates beige overload.
Toughen up
If your prefer your neutrals with extra edge, combine white or grey walls with a few industrial accents. Think exposed brick, repurposed light fittings and ex-factory furniture. It’s now easy to find industrial-themed pieces that are convincingly aged but reassuringly new (if that’s your thing), so everyone can embrace the trend.
If your prefer your neutrals with extra edge, combine white or grey walls with a few industrial accents. Think exposed brick, repurposed light fittings and ex-factory furniture. It’s now easy to find industrial-themed pieces that are convincingly aged but reassuringly new (if that’s your thing), so everyone can embrace the trend.
Be frivolous
Sometimes you plan how a room will look, but once everything’s in place, it seems to be missing that special something to bring it all together.
If this is your décor dilemma, try lightening the mood with playful accessories, like these camel-print cushions, which tone in thanks to their neutral base colour. Or try a pineapple-shaped lamp or other unexpected element to shake things up.
Discover 10 of the best ways to decorate with pineapples
Sometimes you plan how a room will look, but once everything’s in place, it seems to be missing that special something to bring it all together.
If this is your décor dilemma, try lightening the mood with playful accessories, like these camel-print cushions, which tone in thanks to their neutral base colour. Or try a pineapple-shaped lamp or other unexpected element to shake things up.
Discover 10 of the best ways to decorate with pineapples
Embrace rustic charm
If you fear your neutral scheme straying towards sterile territory, look at incorporating unrefined materials. This bathroom blends cement tiles, stone, soft distemper walls and natural wood to create the kind of rustic- contemporary interior that transfers seamlessly from chic Mediterranean villa to English country cottage.
If you fear your neutral scheme straying towards sterile territory, look at incorporating unrefined materials. This bathroom blends cement tiles, stone, soft distemper walls and natural wood to create the kind of rustic- contemporary interior that transfers seamlessly from chic Mediterranean villa to English country cottage.
Lend some life
The impact of plants in the home cannot be underestimated. They have the ability to transform a so-so scheme into a haven of tranquillity, and create a more healthy environment in the process.
Don’t just populate your place with small houseplants – give it the full jungle effect with large planters that sit on the floor. Anything with a tropical vibe is spot-on this season.
The impact of plants in the home cannot be underestimated. They have the ability to transform a so-so scheme into a haven of tranquillity, and create a more healthy environment in the process.
Don’t just populate your place with small houseplants – give it the full jungle effect with large planters that sit on the floor. Anything with a tropical vibe is spot-on this season.
Define with accessories
Everything about this space is light and bright thanks to those show-stealing windows and a plethora of luxe fabrics. To keep neutrals from becoming bland, it’s helpful to bring in a little delineation between features. Here, metal-framed furniture with dark, angular lines does the trick, as do the sculptural lights.
Everything about this space is light and bright thanks to those show-stealing windows and a plethora of luxe fabrics. To keep neutrals from becoming bland, it’s helpful to bring in a little delineation between features. Here, metal-framed furniture with dark, angular lines does the trick, as do the sculptural lights.
Work monochrome magic
Black and white is the ultimate non-bland neutral union – just look at this stylish bathroom!
If you’re stuck for ideas on how to lift an all-white space without inviting a major overhaul, start introducing small hints of black (or charcoal) via accessories such as side tables, vases, rugs or throws. You’ll soon see your scheme spring into life thanks to the magic of monochrome.
Black and white is the ultimate non-bland neutral union – just look at this stylish bathroom!
If you’re stuck for ideas on how to lift an all-white space without inviting a major overhaul, start introducing small hints of black (or charcoal) via accessories such as side tables, vases, rugs or throws. You’ll soon see your scheme spring into life thanks to the magic of monochrome.
Choose a luxe accent
When you use a neutral colour palette, it gives you the freedom to go for glitz without fearing that things might appear tacky or overdone. For timeless glamour, a crystal droplet chandelier looks enticing, as well as bouncing around lots of light.
TELL US…
How have you lifted a neutral scheme in your home? Share your tips or photos in the Comments below.
When you use a neutral colour palette, it gives you the freedom to go for glitz without fearing that things might appear tacky or overdone. For timeless glamour, a crystal droplet chandelier looks enticing, as well as bouncing around lots of light.
TELL US…
How have you lifted a neutral scheme in your home? Share your tips or photos in the Comments below.
There’s a knack to getting a purposeful-looking, richly layered interior, but using neutrals makes it much easier. A natural woven rug (the bigger the better), like this jute beauty, will work to ground your scheme, adding softness and texture.
Choose artworks in coordinating or complementary colours, and don’t be afraid to “go large” with furniture and accessories. As long as they’re in proportion with your room, fewer larger pieces often give a better effect than lots of smaller ones if you’re after a streamlined, classic look.