Budapest Post

Cum Deo pro Patria et Libertate
Budapest, Europe and world news

Neutral living room ideas for a cool and calming scheme

Neutral living room ideas for a cool and calming scheme

These neutral living room ideas prove that decorating with the classics is anything but boring

In an interiors world where maximalism is making a comeback, the term more is more is frequently used to describe trends, and the Colors Of The Year are just getting wilder and wilder, neutral living room ideas may seem a bit... safe. But bold shades and animal prints aren't the only ways to create interesting, stylish spaces.

The classic neutrals are so versatile, you can design rooms that feel serene and soft and calming or ones that are fun and fresh and every bit as exciting as a bright color scheme. And there's the big plus that neutral schemes have longevity. A white, cream or grey living room is never going to go out of style, no matter how outrageous the trends get and you can always use these colors as a backdrop to switch up the room as styles come and go.

So to pay homage to the neutral living room, we've rounded up all our favorite looks that prove playing it safe can still result in some of the most beautiful spaces...

1. Layer textures and patterns in a neutral living room




When it comes to neutral living room ideas where color isn't going to be the focal point, you want to be adding interest in other ways, and that interest comes in form of texture and maybe some subtle patterns too.

Pick plenty of tactile fabrics that have different looks and feels to them and layer them up. Bring in slubby linen cushions, open-knit throws, long pile rugs, rattan pieces, wooden pieces – more is more when it comes to textures.

2. Experiment with brown tones




Neutral schemes are often associated with white, cream, grey and the ever-growing in popularity, beige, but we would say darker hues like brown and even a soft black can work as a neutral.

Bringing brown tones into it a lighter color scheme can give the space depth and create a nice contrast that's not as harsh as black or grey. It creates a very cozy, inviting feel to a room. Here, cream walls and white woodwork bring a freshness to the lovely warm tones of the aged leather sofa and wooden pieces, plus it ties together the classic pale neutrals on the walls with the orange and pink tones in the vintage rug.

3. Go for a monochrome scheme




There something so chic about a living room that sticks to just one neutral tone, whether that's grey, beige or as can be seen in this space white. Again, if you want to go monochromic texture is key so be sure to pick plenty of different fabrics and finishes for the room.

Sticking to just one color works wonders in small living rooms too as there is very little visual clutter, so the space appears bigger and brighter.

4. Neutral doesn't always mean light




A neutral living room doesn't always have to be about soft pale tones, a neutral palette can also include deeper colors. Case in point with this dark living room, the overall feel is still neutral and calm, but mixed in with the cream of the carpet, rug, and throws, are deep grey-toned blues that create a more dramatic feel and adds a richness to the scheme.

5. Incorporate natural materials




Back to that all-important texture. Bringing in natural materials to a simple neutral scheme gives a living room a rustic, beachy edge creating a relaxed, laid-back vibe. Here, something as simple as a stack of logs can add texture and color that doesn't distract from the overall white living room scheme.

6. Pick pastel tones for a whimsical look




And a neutral living room doesn't have to be void of color either, as this fabulous space proves. Soft pastels work perfectly in a neutral space, just be sure to pick the right neutrals. You want go with something crisp and cool-toned to contrast the whimsy of the pastels, a really clean white would work, or be inspired by this color palette and pair a soft light grey with baby blue and blush pink. A very grown-up take on the pastel trend.

7. Go cool and sophisticated with layers of grey




It's easy to see why grey is everyone's favorite neutral. It's so versatile, always looks stylish, and is a classic so you know you aren't going to be painting your walls or buying a new sofa in a few months time.

Commit to your love of this cool tone by choosing it as the sole color for your living room. Match the walls to the sofa as can be seen in this grey living room and add layers of both darker and lighter grey shades for a really sophisticated but cozy look.

8. Add depth with richer hues




Choosing an accent color for a neutral living room can really add depth and ground the space. Balance out all those light airy shades with something strong and rich like this deep velvety blue. This space still feels neutral but that large pop of color from the sofa gives the room a focal point.

When choosing an accent color do look at the undertones of the neutrals you are working with. Match the undertones to the color you want to bring in. Neautrals with warmer tones work best with warmed toned colors like oranges, reds, pinks and yellows. Whereas cooler toned neutrals pair best with blues and greens.

9. Bring in multiple colors




The best thing about neutral living rooms is you can change up the look of the room really easily. Keep the walls and furniture neutral and then just rotate cushion, rugs and throws as a way of making the space feel different throughout the seasons.

The pops of purples and blues here feel fresh and summery, perfect for this time of year, but come fall it would be a simple switch to add in some deeper burgundies and brown tones.

10. Create a calming atmosphere with the palest of greens




Some colors, in their palest form, are so barely there that they can almost act as a neutral. See how the pale grey/green walls gives this space all the calming, uplifting qualities you'd expect from a green living room, and yet paired with the grey chair and cream rug and woodwork the room looks effortlessly neutral.

AI Disclaimer: An advanced artificial intelligence (AI) system generated the content of this page on its own. This innovative technology conducts extensive research from a variety of reliable sources, performs rigorous fact-checking and verification, cleans up and balances biased or manipulated content, and presents a minimal factual summary that is just enough yet essential for you to function as an informed and educated citizen. Please keep in mind, however, that this system is an evolving technology, and as a result, the article may contain accidental inaccuracies or errors. We urge you to help us improve our site by reporting any inaccuracies you find using the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of this page. Your helpful feedback helps us improve our system and deliver more precise content. When you find an article of interest here, please look for the full and extensive coverage of this topic in traditional news sources, as they are written by professional journalists that we try to support, not replace. We appreciate your understanding and assistance.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
France Faces New Political Crisis, again, as Prime Minister Bayrou Pushed Out
Nayib Bukele Points Out Belgian Hypocrisy as Brussels Considers Sending Army into the Streets
France, at an Impasse, Heads Toward Another Government Collapse
The Country That Got Too Rich? Public Spending Dominates Norway Election
EU Proposes Phasing Out Russian Oil and Gas by End of 2027 to End Energy Dependence
More Than 150,000 Followers for a Fictional Character: The New Influencers Are AI Creations
EU Prepares for War
Trump Threatens Retaliatory Tariffs After EU Imposes €2.95 Billion Fine on Google
Tesla Board Proposes Unprecedented One-Trillion-Dollar Performance Package for Elon Musk
Gold Could Reach Nearly $5,000 if Fed Independence Is Undermined, Goldman Sachs Warns
Uruguay, Colombia and Paraguay Secure Places at 2026 World Cup
Trump Administration Advances Plans to Rebrand Pentagon as Department of War Instead of the Fake Term Department of Defense
Big Tech Executives Laud Trump at White House Dinner, Unveil Massive U.S. Investments
Tether Expands into Gold Sector with Profit-Driven Diversification
‘Looks Like a Wig’: Online Users Express Concern Over Kate Middleton
Florida’s Vaccine Revolution: DeSantis Declares War on Mandates
Trump’s New War – and the ‘Drug Tyrant’ Fearing Invasion: ‘1,200 Missiles Aimed at Us’
"The Situation Has Never Been This Bad": The Fall of PepsiCo
At the Parade in China: Laser Weapons, 'Eagle Strike,' and a Missile Capable of 'Striking Anywhere in the World'
The Fashion Designer Who Became an Italian Symbol: Giorgio Armani Has Died at 91
Putin Celebrates ‘Unprecedentedly High’ Ties with China as Gazprom Seals Power of Siberia-2 Deal
China Unveils New Weapons in Grand Military Parade as Xi Hosts Putin and Kim
Rapper Cardi B Cleared of Liability in Los Angeles Civil Assault Trial
Google Avoids Break-Up in U.S. Antitrust Case as Stocks Rise
Couple celebrates 80th wedding anniversary at assisted living facility in Lancaster
Information Warfare in the Age of AI: How Language Models Become Targets and Tools
The White House on LinkedIn Has Changed Their Profile Picture to Donald Trump
"Insulted the Prophet Muhammad": Woman Burned Alive by Angry Mob in Niger State, Nigeria
Trump Responds to Death Rumors – Announces 'Missile City'
Druzhba Pipeline Incident Sparks Geopolitical Tensions
Cost of Opposition Leader Péter Magyar's Economic Plan Revealed
Germany in Turmoil: Ukrainian Teenage Girl Pushed to Death by Illegal Iraqi Migrant
United Krack down on human rights: Graham Linehan Arrested at Heathrow Over Three X Posts, Hospitalised, Released on Bail with Posting Ban
Asian and Middle Eastern Investors Avoid US Markets
Ray Dalio Warns of US Shift to Autocracy
Eurozone Inflation Rises to 2.1% in August
Russia and China Sign New Gas Pipeline Deal
Von der Leyen's Plane Hit by Suspected Russian GPS Interference in an Incident Believed to Be Caused by Russia or by Pro-Peace or by Anti-Corruption European Activists
China's Robotics Industry Fuels Export Surge
Suntory Chairman Resigns After Police Probe
Gold Price Hits New All-Time Record
UK Fintechs Explore Buying US Banks
Greece Suspends 5% of Schools as Birth Rate Drops
Apollo to Launch $5 Billion Sports Investment Vehicle
Bolsonaro Trial Nears Close Amid US-Brazil Tension
European Banks Push for Lower Cross-Border Barriers
Poland's Offshore Wind Sector Attracts Investors
Budapest Central European Fashion Week Kicks Off
U.S. Celebrates Labor Day
Hungarian National Team Captain Scores Epic Goal
×