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Mix different shades of the same color. The operative color here is beige, but different shades work together to create this sophisticated bedroom look.
by Mary Douglas Drysdale
Use metallic details in rooms with neutral colors. Picture frames are excellent ways to add shimmer on walls or layered in with furniture.
by Cecilie Starin Design Inc.
In a room with neutral colors, consider using distressed furniture for a textural layer that adds an interesting patina. These black lampshades have a great anchoring effect on the desk area.
by Best & Company
Use reflective pieces to add interest to rooms with a neutral palette. This beautiful room screen with an antique mirror is the perfect focal point for this neutral space.
by Branca, Inc.
Use wood effects to create texture. There are so many great faux wood products available in beautiful neutral colors. This wallpaper is stunning and creates a textural elegance that is definitely not boring.
by Benjamin Dhong Interiors
Use animal prints in fabrics and art against neutral colors. Another detail that works in this room is the negative space in the shelves. This room is quiet and calming because it is not cluttered.
by Benjamin Dhong Interiors
Geometrics within a neutral palette create a soft modern aesthetic. Notice the geometric patterns in the rug, the coffee table, and the circles of the end table here.
by Sean Michael Design  
With neutral palettes you can throw in an unexpected, whimsical detail. These cowhide chairs are just the thing to contrast the neutral colors and add interest.
by Tara Seawright
In a room of neutrals it's very important to add texture, and floors are a great place for this. Layering rugs is an easy texture trick. Notice this sisal rug with a white cowhide layered right on top. This can also be done with a smaller Persian rug on top of a woven rug.
by Ellen Grasso & Sons, LLC
Mix materials for a striking effect. Take a look at how many different materials are mixed together here. Wood, mirror and acrylic all blend together for a visually stimulating room. Don't match your woods; different colors and textures are more interesting.
by Jamie Laubhan-Oliver  
One of my favorite tricks for bathrooms with a neutral palette is to lay down a heavily patterned rug. It's really all you need to contrast the monochromatic color scheme. I love Persian rugs for this effect, but modern patterns work well, too.

Color guides: More ways to work with neutrals
by Thom Filicia Inc.  

Comments

bubblyjock Interesting.....imo, the only thing that pulls together most of these beige and grey spaces IS a judicious and subtle injection of rich colour, for instance the greens in the painting on the wall in the second photo, or the red-ish flowers in a couple of others.
6 months ago · ·
Dana Veach Charmean, I'm always impressed by the taste displayed in your articles: whether charm, whimsy, old world dignity, or modern sleekness, all your selected photos display class. Thanks!
6 months ago · ·
Charmean Neithart Interiors, LLC. Hi Dana.
Merry Christmas! Thank you for that kind observation. I really do try to select pictures that illustrate the point. It's equally important for me to expose readers to ideas they mat not have considered. Of course, I like a pretty picture too. I really appreciate your comments and always enjoy hearing from you. Best. Charmean
6 months ago · ·
Dana Veach Merry Christmas to you too, Charmean! I think you've succeeded in the idea stimulus department. I've selected a good number of "ideas" from you to include in my Houzz idea books! I've been a home owner, but I'm currently renting a town house, and my ability to implement these ideas are thus more limited than I like, but "one of these days..." Meanwhile, I'm refining my ideas...learning what I truly consider "necessary" to a comfortable, aesthetically pleasing, and functional home. Houzz is my favorite addiction!
6 months ago · ·
newmouse I notice that almost every photo includes natural elements- flowers, plants, shells, or artwork depicting nature.
6 months ago · ·
JAN MOYER Neutral IS color, and if you don't believe it, just try getting a scheme of whites and beiges and the like together for a client! One can sift through a thousand whites in search of the perfect tone and texture for a chair. But when all is said and done, neutrals still produce some of the most timeless and soothing rooms. Be they rustically, casually textured, or gleamingly and richly tactile and lush, with a more formal feel or anything in between.... they hold up against all the fads that come and go. Yes I love color too. But this is why God made the gardens. Cut em up! : )
6 months ago · ·
Tile-Stones I like the idea of adding textures and metallics to a neutral room (even though I'd probably do them in a bright color LOL). Careful with the distressed furniture though... I feel like too much can just add to the "sadness" or "flatness" of a neutral room.
6 months ago · ·
sjmom Neutral does not have to mean boring and with the addition of pillows, paintings, a throw rug or other items which can be removed or changed at will can be a beautiful space to live in.
6 months ago · ·
Paintings by Kirsten Elizabeth Gilmore This article has information I think homeowners could definitely use. My favorite suggestions are the use of interesting textures and the combining of hues (and, I would argue values from light to dark) within a certain family of neutrals.
6 months ago · ·
patscats2 All of these very prretty, not all my style, but still very nice.
6 months ago ·
Paul D'Amico - Period Design Neutrals are appreciated by subtle minds or/and those needing calmness. With neutrals, mouldings and frames: their forms and textures - delimit themselves just enough from ceiling and wall planes. During the day their shadows will evolve in size thus ensuring atmosphere changes to a room. All this is appreciated by the subtle mind.
6 months ago · ·
Paul D'Amico - Period Design Of course all this neutralism can be seen as a canvass ready to receive that colorful oriental rug, the abstract painting, Chinese vase, completing the composition with mimosa yellow and burgundy flowers.
6 months ago · ·
JAN MOYER Perhaps our color vocabulary is just not yet wide enough! We deem all the whit/creamy/beigy/grayish/taupy/sandy/toasty shades "neutral" when in fact, many other "colors" can take on total neutrality when used together in varying shades and tones, and layered upon one another. We call those monochromatic schemes, but they do in fact become "neutral", successfully "taking" virtually any other color you may want to add. Not to throw a monkey wrench in the thread or anything lol.
6 months ago · ·
Lanie Brown While I personally prefer a room bathed in color, these neutral-based inspiration rooms do exude elegance and serenity. Thanks for another beautiful idea book, Charmean. Happy New Year!
6 months ago · ·
Charmean Neithart Interiors, LLC. You're very welcome Lanie. Thanks for your comments and Happy New Year!
Charmean
6 months ago ·
A. Peltier Interiors I used to really love color and happened to have a slew of clients who did as well, but as my career and tastes progress I am finding that I am loving neutrals more and more. They also allow you to add trendy colors to a room. A neutral sofa will last (style wise) for many years and allow you to throw in pops of color with pillows (such as emerald green). Love these suggestions because a neutral room is all about the details.
6 months ago · ·
Angela Pascoe My conmment is how do you add neutral into a room that is painted in color...
3 months ago · ·
Charmean Neithart Interiors, LLC. Hi Angela. What color are you trying to work with?
3 months ago · ·
Angela Pascoe Orange
3 months ago · ·
Angela Pascoe Orange, need help with curtains accessories, end table and coffee table accessories. Already have curtain rod and will be moving them lower and out more.
3 months ago · ·
Dura Supreme Cabinetry Angela Pascoe - White and Grays would work great with orange (or any bright accent color). This room (photo below) is a perfect example.

I would do 2 walls in a light gray to make the orange pop more on the walls. Swap your curtains, blinds, throw pillows a other accents with material that is mostly white and gray with a splash of orange. I would also add some large wall art behind your couch. I would remove the green accents and keep a few of the red. For your hardware, light fixtures, and other non fabric items, I would stick with silvers, blacks and whites.

3 months ago · ·
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