Subtle Ways to Infuse Life into Neutral Spaces: Expert Tips for Balancing Minimalism with Pops of Color in Modern Home Interior Design
Neutral tones dominate recent home design trends. From Gwyneth Paltrow’s pale California home featuring a modern neutral color palette to the beige chairs at popular stores like CB2 and Pottery Barn, and the gray-heavy makeovers on TV shows, the 2020s seem colorless so far. This neutral interior design style with understated color palettes has become ubiquitous in modern interiors.
New York designer Nick Olsen explains, “People worry about costly decorating mistakes or others’ opinions regarding interior design. They might think, ‘What if someone sees my bright green sofa?’ This pushes them towards safer, neutral colors like white and beige or no color at all, resulting in neutral interiors.”
Research shows that using color in homes can boost mood and productivity. But you don’t need to go overboard with vivid walls or bold furniture to brighten your space while still maintaining a minimalist aesthetic and timeless design. Here are some ways to add subtle pops of color without turning your neutral home color palette into a circus.
Start subtle
Soft neutral colors like light pink, pale green, or faint blue on ceilings and walls can liven up rooms more than plain white while still providing a cozy atmosphere. D.C. designer Annie Elliott notes, “When people say they dislike color in interior design, they often mean intense shades like bright red or yellow.”
Try gentler neutral tones and color palettes instead. Look at the lightest or second-lightest shades on paint cards to find neutral colors that go together. Test colors by putting up painted poster board pieces or large sample stickers on walls. Check these samples on all surfaces at different times to see how natural light affects them. Some designers or paint experts offer in-person or video consultations, typically charging $100+ per hour for home visits or around $50 per hour for video chats from brands like Farrow & Ball and Benjamin Moore to help you select the perfect neutral color names.
Use patterns as inspiration
Instead of paying thousands for a professional neutral color scheme design, create your own using a favorite fabric, rug, or artwork as a guide. Geometric patterns and organic shapes can provide a starting point for a cool neutral color palette.
“Begin with something that has multiple colors: a lively fabric or multicolored carpet,” Olsen suggests. “This sets your neutral color palette and does the work for you. Then pick out colors from it, maybe using one shade for lamps and pottery, and another for a lampshade or chair to add visual interest.”
Arlington, Va. designer Nicole Lanteri often encourages clients to choose a vibrant painting or print, even in more neutral color scheme rooms. “Art isn’t the biggest item in your home decor. You don’t sit on it. It just stands out and makes an impact.”
Inject color in unexpected places
Overlooked areas of your home offer great opportunities to experiment with vibrant touches while maintaining an overall neutral design. Consider using electric blue tiles in a powder room or a multicolored striped comforter in the guest bedroom. Charles M. Boggs, associate chair of interior design at the Savannah College of Art and Design, notes, “If warm neutrals are the comfort food, then color is the spice that brings life and flavor to a home.”
“I enjoy painting ceilings and interior doors in shades that contrast with the walls,” Olsen shares. “For one client, I’m adding Tiffany blue to the inside of her closet, which will make her shoes pop.” Wall and window trims are also prime candidates for a splash of color in a neutral tan color palette.
Incorporate a hint of wallpaper
Many homeowners find a fully wallpapered room overwhelming. However, applying a light-colored toile to a single wall adds interest and drama without appearing too eccentric in a monochromatic palette. You can also use wallpaper to line the back panels of a bookshelf or hutch.
Elliott often recommends texture-rich grass cloth to clients. “It introduces much more texture than paint, yet remains fairly subtle,” she explains.
Draw inspiration from nature
Natural materials and colors are trending in home renovations. Think warm wooden kitchen cabinets in shades of brown or unpolished stone flooring in earthy tones like taupe, khaki, and ivory. One reason for this is that natural elements tend to complement everything and work well in a light neutral color palette. “I love using green houseplants to add color to a room,” Lanteri says. Alternatively, fill a vase with soft-hued dried flowers.
Move beyond a single-color accent
While a lone strand of turquoise beads looks stunning against a simple black or white blouse, adding just one burst of a saturated hue to an otherwise neutral interior design can feel disjointed. “It’s easy to toss some royal blue pillows onto a gray sofa in an all-gray living room,” Elliott notes. “But it’s more enjoyable – and creates a more cohesive feel – to also include a rug with some blue in it, or perhaps reupholster an accent chair in fabric with similar shades.”
Also, remember that rooms within the same house should complement each other. Weave subtle touches of similar colors throughout your space for a dimensional neutral scheme. For example, navy blue walls in a home office could echo a sapphire velvet sofa in the living room.
Give your furniture a colorful makeover
Purchasing a smaller piece of furniture in an interesting color – or painting a bookcase or end table in your favorite shade – can liven up a space while still maintaining a warm neutral color palette. “I’m a big fan of painted furniture in a room full of dark wood,” Elliott says. “You can hire a professional who’ll use a sprayer for a glossy finish. I use Unique by Ruth. Alternatively, you can DIY, especially if you’re going for a matte finish or visible brushwork.”
For rooms with bold furniture, opt for subtle wall colors. “Vibrant pieces stand out better against muted backgrounds,” Boggs advises. “Select wall hues that complement but don’t overpower the furniture to create a sophisticated elegance with layered neutrals.”
By thoughtfully incorporating color through these neutral interior design ideas, you can create a contemporary interior style that feels both soothing and energizing. The key is finding the right balance of versatile colors within an overall understated color palette to design an inviting home you’ll love for years to come. Neutral entire house color schemes allow you to change up accent pieces over time while maintaining a timeless foundation.
Source:
Jennifer Barger (August 29, 2024). 7 ways to get a colorful home without going gaudy. https://www.washingtonpost.com/home/2024/08/29/how-to-use-more-color-at-home/. Accessed September 26, 2024
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