Skip to content

Top Navigation

Better Homes & Gardens
  • Holidays
  • Gardening
  • Recipes and Cooking
  • Decorating
  • Home Improvement Ideas
  • Cleaning and Organizing
  • Shop
  • Rooms
  • News
  • Beauty & Style
  • Health & Family
  • Pets
  • Local Services

Profile Menu

My Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • BH&G Insider
  • BH&G Magazine Archive
Login
Subscribe
Pin

Explore Better Homes & Gardens

Better Homes & Gardens
  • Explore

    Explore

    • 19 Vintage Christmas Decor Ideas That Are Giving Us Major Holiday Nostalgia

      Read More Next
    • 23 of Our Test Kitchen's Best Cookie Recipes of All Time

      We reach for them after school and after dinner. They're essential to holidays and casual gatherings. Homemade cookies are always a welcome treat. Whether it's a tried-and-true 1940s BH&G cookie recipe or a unique twist on sugar cookies, our Test Kitchen's compiled a lot of favorite cookie recipes over the years. Grab a glass of milk because we're about to dunk peanut butter cookies, oatmeal-raisin cookies, snickerdoodle cookies, and many more of our all-time favorite cookie recipes. Read More Next
    • Conquer Holiday Cooking with This Meat Roasting Guide

      All the times and temperatures you need to know to roast turkey, chicken, beef, and pork for your feast. Read More Next
  • Holidays

    Holidays

    See all Holidays

    The CDC Just Updated Its Thanksgiving Safety Guidelines—Here's What You Need To Know

    With just two weeks until turkey day, the latest information could affect your plans.
    • Thanksgiving
    • Christmas
    • Hanukkah
    • New Year's
    • Halloween
    • Valentine's Day
    • Easter
    • Mother's Day
    • Father's Day
  • Gardening

    Gardening

    See all Gardening

    5 Simple Ways to Prepare Your Garden for Winter

    Depending on what's growing in your garden, there's a lot you can do to get your ornamental plants ready for the colder months. We've got the low-down on how to make sure everything from your perennials to your roses are ready when the snow flies.
    • Flowers
    • Houseplants
    • Plant Encyclopedia
    • Garden Pests
    • Trees, Shrubs & Vines
    • Caring for Your Yard
    • Edible Gardening
    • Garden Design
    • Gardening By Region
    • Landscaping
  • Recipes and Cooking

    Recipes and Cooking

    See all Recipes and Cooking

    21 Essential Baking Tools Every Home Cook Needs (Plus 16 That Are Nice to Have)

    If you’re a beginner baker who’s just starting out (or a master chef looking to declutter), start with this list of baking tool must-haves. We’ll help you set up a baking kit for beginners with 21 essential tools. For those who already own these tools, this list may finally provide the motivation you need to toss that never-been-used soufflĆ© dish. Building your essential baking toolbox starts here!
    • How to Cook
    • Chicken Recipes
    • Desserts & Baking
    • Fish Recipes
    • Beef Recipes
    • Healthy Recipes
    • Breakfast and Brunch Recipes
    • Lunch
    • Dinner Recipes & Meal Ideas
    • Ethnic Food
  • Decorating

    Decorating

    See all Decorating

    9 Ways to Decorate Your Front Door for the Holidays

    This winter front door display is layered with holiday cheer. See how you can personalize your home's entrance with holiday front door decorations, including evergreen wreaths, garlands, pinecones, and pops of plaid.
    • Choosing Color
    • Expert Decorating Advice
    • Fireplace Design Ideas
    • Do It Yourself Magazine
    • Window Treatments
    • Styles & Decor
    • Interior Painting
    • Home Makeovers
    • Small-Space Decorating
    • Traditional Home
  • Home Improvement Ideas

    Home Improvement Ideas

    See all Home Improvement Ideas

    What Style Is Your House? The 10 Most Popular House Styles Explained

    With so many types of house styles, narrowing the list down to your favorite can be overwhelming. We'll show you the top 10 most popular house styles, including Cape Cod, country French, Colonial, Victorian, Tudor, Craftsman, cottage, Mediterranean, ranch, and contemporary. Here's how to tell the differences between each architectural style.
    • Home Exteriors
    • DIY Home Electrical Tips & Guides
    • Outdoor Structures
    • Home Remodeling
    • Plumbing Installations & Repairs
    • Remodeling Advice & Planning
    • Flooring
    • Lighting
    • Decks
    • Porches
  • Cleaning and Organizing

    Cleaning and Organizing

    See all Cleaning and Organizing

    A Whole-House Cleaning Schedule You'll Actually Stick To

    Cleaning your home doesn't have to be a daunting, time-consuming chore. The key to managing household duties quickly and efficiently is to design an easy-to-follow routine that includes all the most important tasks. Follow these step-by-step instructions for creating a customized whole-home cleaning schedule.
    • House Cleaning
    • Laundry & Linens
    • Cleaning Tips
    • Closet Organization
    • Organization Tips
    • Kitchen Storage Organization
  • Shop
  • Rooms

    Rooms

    See all Rooms

    Living Room Furniture Arrangement Ideas

    Get tips for arranging living room furniture in a way that creates a comfortable and welcoming environment and makes the most of your space.
    • Bedroom Decorating and Design Ideas
    • Bathroom Decorating and Design Ideas
    • Kitchen Decorating and Design Ideas
    • Living Room Decorating and Design
    • Dining Room
    • Home Office
    • Kid's Rooms
    • Baby Nursery
  • News
  • Beauty & Style

    Beauty & Style

    See all Beauty & Style

    Call Your Stylist: These Hair Colors Will Be Everywhere This Spring

    Deep brunettes, sandy blondes, and bold reds are in this year.
    • Anti-Aging
    • Hair
    • Skin Care
    • Makeup
    • Style
    • Nails
  • Health & Family

    Health & Family

    See all Health & Family

    7 Small But Impactful Ways to Fit Self-Care Into Your Day Right Now

    Staying atop of your wellbeing is a must, especially during uncertain, stressful times. These tips will help you make time for self-care for a mental health boost every day.
    • Family Activities
    • Reunions
    • Conditions
    • Parenting Skills
  • Pets

    Pets

    See all Pets

    Luna Is the Most Popular Female Cat Name for the Second Year in a Row

    Plus, check out the other top options that owners are calling their pandemic pets.
    • Dogs and Puppies
    • Cats
    • Caring for Your Pet
  • Local Services

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
My Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • BH&G Insider
  • BH&G Magazine Archive
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow us

  1. BHG.com
  2. Decorating
  3. Choosing Color
  4. Neutral Colors
  5. Decorating with Neutrals

Decorating with Neutrals

June 08, 2015
Skip gallery slides
Save Pin FB
Neutral colors area reliable decorating tool, providing welcome visual breaks, excellent backdrops and soothing moods, depending on how you treat them. See just how versatile neutral color palettes can be and how you can get a not-so-boring neutral look in your home.
Start Slideshow

1 of 18

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Orange You Glad?

Walls painted a deep putty make for a versatile neutral, as the color not only works equally well with black, brown and white, it pulls all three together. A light, patterned rug warms the wood floor while balancing the brightness created by the white cabinets and woodwork. A cluster of neutral, nature-theme artwork adds understated interest, as do small, simple shots of happy orange.

  • Get Our Best Neutral Paint Colors

1 of 18

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 18

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Neutral Color Scheme

See how to put together a color scheme starring neutrals.

2 of 18

3 of 18

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

A Better Bath

With tiles like these, who needs a shower curtain? Clear doors let the neutral-tone beauties take center stage. It's one of three types of tile, which work together so well in this small space because they're all made up of neutral tones. The mixture of gray and brown, plus the natural materials and abundance of clean, straight lines, give the room a masculine feel.

  • Get Our Best Neutral Paint Colors

3 of 18

Advertisement

4 of 18

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Hub of the Home

A mix of soft, gentle neutrals in this kitchen make it an easy backdrop for the action it naturally attracts. Bare wood beams stand out against a whitewashed ceiling, and are nicely balanced by the wood floor and attention-grabbing black-and-white runners underneath. Note that any bit of dark tugs at the eye amid this cheery sea of light.

4 of 18

5 of 18

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Step It Up

Use neutrals to unify materials in DIY projects. Here, wooden step stools, painted gray and white, stack together as a impromptu library. The painted finish complements the neutral hues and textures used elsewhere in the living room.

  • Get Our Best Neutral Paint Colors

5 of 18

6 of 18

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Smart Art

A backdrop of subdued whites and gentle grays present the perfect way to show off a colorful art collection. Placing pictures in a variety of frames painted the same glittery, elegant gold is a smart way to draw attention and add cohesion without getting too matchy-matchy. 

6 of 18

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 18

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Go Beyond Beige

Use these tricks to take a beige room from boring to bold.

7 of 18

8 of 18

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Go Wild

Here's proof that a color scheme made up exclusively of neutrals is anything but boring. A healthy variety of brown tones, plus black and white, create an upscale look with intrigue. The nubby rug, stone mantel and sculptures add textural depth, and all those unassuming stretches of neutral allow the patterned work of art over the mantel to take center stage. 

  • Get Our Best Neutral Paint Colors

8 of 18

9 of 18

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Rustic Neutrals

Neutrals allow show-stopping pieces to have the attention they deserve. Here, simple white walls, neutral trim, and even the wood ceiling and floor quietly come together so as not to steal the show from the rustic cabinet, weathered farm table, and distinctive overhead light. Employing one color, a muted green, throughout the space adds a little dimension, without taking away from the room's rustic neutral palette.

9 of 18

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 18

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Throwback Country Kitchen

There’s something clean and classic about an all-white kitchen. Warm wood floors and countertops only add to the throwback appeal. Here, simple striped shades repeat both the wood and white, but add some sunshiny yellow. Metal fixtures and appliances find further cohesion from basic, yet shapely metal stools and a standout painted-green light fixture.

  • Get Our Best Neutral Paint Colors

10 of 18

11 of 18

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Sweet Dreams

In a bedroom, a mixture of white, barely beige and the lightest of baby blues are the stuff dreams are made of. The tonal color palette doesn't fall flat, thanks to an abundance of fabrics -- a padded headboard, plush comforter, billowy curtains, and upholstered stools.

11 of 18

12 of 18

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Naturally Good

When a room is lucky enough to be filled with natural light, it makes sense to keep the mood bright with light neutrals. This room riffs off the outdoor theme with layered natural-fiber flooring, weathered wood tables, nature-inspired art and accents in the colors of water and sunshine. Lots of fabric and a mix of patterns big and small keep things casual. Pops of blue inject a just-right visual break from the cocoon of neutrals.

  • Get Our Best Neutral Paint Colors

12 of 18

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 18

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Very Complementary

Here’s a foolproof formula for a pulled-together room: Take extravagant stretches of beautiful neutrals, then layer in a pair of complementary colors, which always look good together. Here, red and green show up in a smart mix of patterns from big to medium to small. Though the drapes and rug are both tan, like the walls and sofa, their subtle patterns defy monotony.

13 of 18

14 of 18

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Change is Good

If you keep the room’s main elements neutral, it makes it a cinch to switch up moods on a whim. In this bedroom, for example, all the basics are classic, comfortable and neutral, including the pale walls, white woodwork, wood floors, and white tufted headboard. Changing the vibe is as simple as changing the comforter and the throw pillows.

  • Get Our Best Neutral Paint Colors

14 of 18

15 of 18

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Pattern Play

When your patterns are neutral, you can layer many of them for intrigue without sacrificing sophistication. Here, painted gray cabinetry creates a certain elegance, while antiqued chairs and three varied gray patterns, spread from floor to ceiling and keep things from getting too serious.

15 of 18

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 18

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Building Focus

When decorating with light neutrals, it’s easy to create focus with bold color, or even other neutrals in darker shades. In this room, for example, the dusty blue rug and patterned pillows are light enough to blend sweetly with the neutral wing-backs. It’s the neutral, yet dark ottoman and art that really grab your attention. 

  • Get Our Best Neutral Paint Colors

16 of 18

17 of 18

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Naturally Industrial

A good material mix is key to a successful neutral kitchen. Here, rugged, multicolor brick, delicate, sparkly glass, gleaming variegated wood tones, handsome gray cabinetry and all shades of metal each bring something fresh to the kitchen, otherwise outfitted in understated neutral shades.

17 of 18

18 of 18

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

So Dreamy

Neutrals are an excellent choice in the bedroom, thanks to their restful vibes. Lots of white plus slightly varied tones of calming beige throughout mix dreamily with sweet bursts of sky blue. Measured doses of dark brown low down -- like the wooden legs peeking out from under the upholstered pieces -- ground the airy palette.

  • Get Our Best Neutral Paint Colors

18 of 18

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook
Trending Videos
Advertisement
Skip slide summaries

Everything in This Slideshow

Advertisement

View All

1 of 18 Orange You Glad?
2 of 18 Neutral Color Scheme
3 of 18 A Better Bath
4 of 18 Hub of the Home
5 of 18 Step It Up
6 of 18 Smart Art
7 of 18 Go Beyond Beige
8 of 18 Go Wild
9 of 18 Rustic Neutrals
10 of 18 Throwback Country Kitchen
11 of 18 Sweet Dreams
12 of 18 Naturally Good
13 of 18 Very Complementary
14 of 18 Change is Good
15 of 18 Pattern Play
16 of 18 Building Focus
17 of 18 Naturally Industrial
18 of 18 So Dreamy

Share options

Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Login

Shop | Better Homes & Gardens

  • Textured Throw Pillows
  • Round Mirrors
  • Kitchen Rugs
  • Hallway Runners
  • Tufted Area Rugs
  • Kitchen Island Pendants
  • Wall Sconces
  • Bedside Lamps
  • Throw Pillows
  • Vases
  • Shop More Next

Better Homes & Gardens may receive compensation when you click through and purchase from links contained on this website.

  • Better Homes & Gardens BHG Logo Products at Walmart
  • Better Homes & Gardens BHG Real Estate Real Estate Services
Better Homes & Gardens

Magazines & More

Learn More

  • About Us
  • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
  • Books from Better Homes & Gardens
  • Help
  • Media Kit
  • Content Licensing
  • Sitemap

Connect

Follow Us
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
Other Meredith Sites

Other Meredith Sites

  • 4 Your Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Allrecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • All People Quilt this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Insights this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Surveys this link opens in a new tab
  • Cooking Light this link opens in a new tab
  • Daily Paws this link opens in a new tab
  • EatingWell this link opens in a new tab
  • Eat This, Not That this link opens in a new tab
  • Entertainment Weekly this link opens in a new tab
  • Food & Wine this link opens in a new tab
  • Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Hello Giggles this link opens in a new tab
  • Instyle this link opens in a new tab
  • Martha Stewart this link opens in a new tab
  • Midwest Living this link opens in a new tab
  • More this link opens in a new tab
  • MyRecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • MyWedding this link opens in a new tab
  • My Food and Family this link opens in a new tab
  • MyLife this link opens in a new tab
  • Parenting this link opens in a new tab
  • Parents this link opens in a new tab
  • People this link opens in a new tab
  • People en EspaƱol this link opens in a new tab
  • Rachael Ray Magazine this link opens in a new tab
  • Real Simple this link opens in a new tab
  • Ser Padres this link opens in a new tab
  • Shape this link opens in a new tab
  • Siempre Mujer this link opens in a new tab
  • Southern Living this link opens in a new tab
  • SwearBy this link opens in a new tab
  • Travel & Leisure this link opens in a new tab
BH&G is part of the Meredith Home Group. © Copyright 2021 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
© Copyright . All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.bhg.com

View image

Decorating with Neutrals
this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.