the_misfit OK, now I'm succumbing to the level of complaint on the top-10-kitchens post. Now that I've scrolled through the favorite bathrooms, kitchens, and living rooms, I feel prompted to repeat something that I say or think often (when making home decor decisions and purchases): I HATE BEIGE. I really, really do. There are some nice things about some of these photos (the library ladder, loft, and colored accents in the Massachusetts photo, for example; that stone fireplace, in another photo), but none of those things is beige. And beige is most of what I see here.

I'm not criticizing this ideabook's author nor the selection method for the photos (nor even the homeowners. The adjoining room could be navy with gold furniture. We can hope). They are sound. I guess this criticism has to be leveled at the whole houzz community: once we find the things that are actually statistically most popular, must we descend to the least common denominator? Have none of you any taste that doesn't look like it came out of a (particularly uninspired mass-market) catalog? Do you really need a fascinatingly flexible vehicle like houzz merely to inform you how to lay out your Pottery Barn accessories and match your beige rug and your beige sofa to your beige walls and your beige curtains? BREAK OUT. CHOOSE A COLOR. DEVELOP A STYLE that would look out of place in a model home and fit in a REAL home. LIVE A LITTLE.

That is all.

khonk Barely a hint of color in any of these rooms. I can't live without color in my surroundings.

Joanie It just goes to show, most people like rooms that are light and bright, that's why warm whites are getting popular again.

Amanda I agree with the_misfit & Khonk...that is usually my one critique about any design is lack of color. I understand that neutral/monotone is the look some people are going for but atleast do a neutral wall with accents in color (pillows, rugs, accessories...) I can't stand a room that's all one color, especially white or beige! Don't get me wrong these are very nice Living Rooms designs and I think each designer did a great job but I would not be able to live day in and day out in any of these spaces without splashing a little bit of color somewhere! I don't really agree with this "top" 10 list...

lslav2012 Here's the thing: a lot of people (like myself) live in a place that is cold and grey at least 75% of the year, and gets dark outside pretty early. And many of us don't have ideal or abundant natural light flooding in our windows. We want light, warm colors in our homes. Not dark, cold colors. I'm sorry, but that usually means white/ cream/ or soft beige colored walls with pops of color in furnishings and accessories.

It's obviously something that is reflected in the "most popular" lists you see. Seasonal Affects Disorder is real- and none of us want it induced by our own homes.

plist @the misfit. . . You are special. You showed us unoriginal people how to live. Thank you so much.

shawnaleeah misfit (and other): I like colour; it excites and stimulates me. As such, I don't need to prove it in my home (or to rude people like you) because I feel that my home is my sanctuary from the noise and chaos of the world. Who are you to judge? Live and let live.
P.S. - Just because I prefer neutrals doesn't mean I am a mass-produced automaton. My husband and I design and build much of our own furniture.
P.P.S. - Using all capitals in writing is the equivalent to yelling. Is it really necessary? Perhaps a more extensive vocabulary would help you communicate more effectively and save you some dignity.

sunnycb02 I didn't mean to make my last comment private. Anyway, the single color most likely to induce depression in me here in Michigan is BEIGE. Gag.

sxcymike some ppl may disagree with the beige, but some may disagree with the pop colors as well. True, some photos might lack additional colors but these are photos of someones elses home that are apparently the most popular. The responses here are a bit derisory. Although all of them might not be my personally favorite, they are all noteworthy. :-)

ateenyi Wow! Let's not get emotional. Maybe if we understood the measuring criteria we would understand. I should admit that when I saw the pictures, my first thought was 'What happened to all the striking pix that houzz showed us throughout the year?' Then, I concluded that most people on houzz prefer safe colours. This coming from one with Orange sofas in her living room.

taureg These look like photos from a catalog pitched towards upper middle class folks with mainstream taste. Ditto the bathrooms - and often the comments. AsPhilip Slate wrote in the '60s, why in a time when all the colors and textures of the world are available is "tastefu"l a grey suit and a beige raincoat?

The pool house is the only one that comes close to being interesting, and tant is for its nap lofts as much as anything.

patricia beharry I hate beige. I'm just saying.

cami19 How odd that they are all so...beige. So... Pottery Barn catalog. No wonder those types of stores do so well and this look is what's endlessly featured in design magazines.

Or is everyone but me living in some tropical climate and therefore wants a visual respite from the bright colors outside? I live in a cold, dark climate and I want COLOR to brighten up my life. White and beige and grey... well, for much of the year if I look outside, that's what I'll see. Blech, in my opinion. I leave home every winter for a warm-climate vacation so I don't succumb to SAD and it's such a relief to go someplace where there is blooming vegetation and flowers and color. Beige, white grey.. to me they are depressing. Why would I want to bring that depressing palette inside?

Obviously I am in the minority since all beige comprises the entire top 10 list. And fills the pages of design magazines which is why I seldom buy them. But I guess most people really DO want beige. Well, good for them since obviously the design world understands the majority viewpoint and naturally focuses on it.

Glenda In this day and age of chaos, violence and fast pace, neutral is calming, elegant and captures a time gone by - it doesn't have to be boring and it is not necessarily a "safe" color but it is universal which accounts for its popularity. Color is relative - everyone has their own preference. You don't have to have a purple walled room or a pea green glow space to be "original". Being original is all about creativeness and attitude - it comes in many colors.

Amanda Simons The point of the "most popular" articles isn't to suggest to any one person that this is how you should decorate your home. It's simply to share the favorites. Apparently these rooms were the most added to ideabooks. So if the ideabooks are any indication, a lot of Houzz users prefer soft, muted, relaxing colors over vibrant and lively ones. It doesn't mean you have to, too.

eCustomFinishes Pool house living room wins, yup!

Jonathan Hress Design I think most people just follow what they see from a large retailer like restoration hardware. I have clients who have redone their family room in beige but left the rest of their home done as they did 10 years ago. Looks weird but they don't see it.

oldoklahoma White, White, White, White.... Boring!

amkcc What is great about these photos is the neutral color palette from which to buile. For a minimal cost you can make the room look totally different with pillows, window treatments and a few knick knacks. This allows you to bring the color you are desiring into the room. I am able to change these sort of things over the year as the seasons change. It makes you feel like you are getting a whole new room at least 4 times a year.

bgs1 I love neutrals on walls because I pick up color in other ways!!! I love changing A LOT so I can change out artwork, pillows and accessories--all of which can be inexpensive--with the seasons. I LOVE that I can have several colors all year long without having to spend a fortune on painting and buying everything new. In the fall I love decorating with oranges and fall colors (which is also good for Halloween and Thanksgiving decorations), in December I can go with reds and Christmas type colors. In the spring I use lots of spring colors and in the summer I opt for lots of greens (with the lime green being the focus the past year or two). You can't change out when you have colored walls. You are stuck. Neutral walls make changing the colors very easy. When you walk into my house (with neutral walls) you wouldn't walk out and say I didn't like the neutral walls. I think you would walk out and say I LOVE the colors in her house. Color is awesome but I prefer it not on the walls.

lf_in_sf Boring, boring , boring. No snap, no individuality, no personality, no risks taken. Lots of grey and beige, without the sleek serenity that can bring when well used. Guess it's always that way with "most popular " lists.

Marie Roxanne My mom asked me "You're not going to paint your new condo with crazy colors are you?" It's a good thing I don't listen well... LOL - and here is my inspiration for the living room/dining room area!

smo123 I have to agree with the anti-beige camp. While these rooms are generally attractive, they are entirely lacking in personality. They look more like hotel lobbies or designer showrooms; safe, with mass appeal.

Tres McKinney Design Yes there seems to be a common neutral color scheme in most of these images which may or may not appeal to everyone. But there are other common elements that anyone can appreciate in these room images. First of all take a look at the interior architecture (woodwork, cabinetry, fireplaces, wall finishes and ceilings) in each image. This attention to detail is what sets good rooms a part from just OK. Each one of these rooms has "beautiful bones". The spaces flow beautifully between rooms because of this attention to detail. These images show you how incorporating them into your remodeling plans will really pay off. The furniture arrangements, styling and mix of materials in these images could be used with any color scheme or decorating style. Look beyond your own preferences. Take the opportunity to learn to discern good design regardless if it exhibits your favorite color or furnishing style.

genevievealexandra You go Misfit...if you're a designer, I'd hire you! You think like me. I personally would never buy certain things simply because...everyone has them. Mass palette does not appeal to me, If it ain't refreshingly unique, it ain't mine.

carolperkins88 I see neutrals, not beige. I like neutrals and naturals. My living room looks out to my garden.
Lots of color there!

calikym I think this list will be so, so different in 2012, much less neutrality. Color is making a BIG comeback for sure. I certainly have changed a lot in the past 2 years, especially past 6 months. Just look at all the colored glass tile people are installing. That says a lot about the trends. Most people are tiring of beige and stone. Ok, I'll just speak for myself and a few on this article. No mo beige for me. ;)

calikym Different in 2013, not 2012. Oops again.

CAROLE MEYER I love these rooms....but then again, look what I live in!!

valj3an I love these rooms. A home should be a sanctuary, and warm neutral colors are soothing and restful. Well-planned pops of complimentary color and texture are great for interest, but so often these days "design" consists of marrying unbalanced combinations of too-strong colors and busy patterns that fight for attention.

sadimira I recently changed my floor to a darker color and my bedroom used to be red. I changed it to beige, just like the rest of the house. But, I added color, such as red curtains, artwork on the walls, and colorful pillows. Beige goes with almost everything, and I love it.

sunski Joining in the anti-beige sentiment. I found these rooms sad.

swastling I love the classic clean look and feel of the beige and whites. Some of us don't do color and don't like trying to keep up with color trends.

Shanna Durham I have tried the color schemes, and more bold colors and have always had to go back and repaint my rooms. A person can do different tones on the beige's and other light colors.
But for me give me earth tone colors and I can accent away with other things in my rooms. And by the way I am not opposed to color as I wear many colors like purple, greens, blues, yellows, turquoise, so its just what a person likes to see everyday in their homes.

Heidi Andrade I'm going to weigh in here on the side of color ... most of these rooms are the decorating equivalent of valium.

frenchdecor As many here scream I feel like, too. Those who don't like beige are luckier than I am, as color doesn't come with a half million dollar tag. Hate open concept. Look at this footage and paint it bold, I would feel anxiety in it. If it's a matter of feature wall and colorful accessories then do it as you please, no need Houzz, or to be a designer to incorporate here and there some color you like. I like color different than beige, BUT one color is still boring, with different colors in 3 spaces (kitchen, dining, living) have problem in open concept with cohesiveness. For me easy to change all textile (slipcovers, draperies, cushions) by seasons, BUT I have to keep similar draperies, though I'd like to do them different. Also my favorite silk survive in living room, but would be disposal in everyday eat in dining room and kitchen. As I can't change kitchen by season I do changes around it, BUT I could have more options with closed spaces. I feel I am trapped in the same mass open concept production, food smell everywhere, no sound barrier, therefore can't sleep in the morning, can't watch TV late night....I lived in closed door spaces it's haven. I could sew all night not disturbing my family.

Ruth I don't understand all the "anti-beige" comments. I'm sure the editors/writers and submitting designers don't want us (subscribers) to copy their most popular room ideas. These are just ideas, hence the"Ideabooks" app. Though I would take the Antique Cape by Smith and VanSant, in my neighborhood, of course. (Nothing against Vermont!) I hope the "anti-beige" commenters don't call me boring for liking calm, homey surroundings. I won't call colorful decor, crazy, unsettling, etc. just different. I PROMISE! :)

13908str I've lived with intense color and I've lived with the dreaded beige! I've loved both, but I've been most comfortable and rec'd the most compliments on the rooms that were soothing neutrals. These neutral rooms are so versatile because they can stand on their own or can provide a wonderful backdrop for art, or striking color accents. Beige is not spelled, B-O-R-I-N-G, unless one chooses to make it so. On a practical level---as far as resale, etc., imagine the difference between attempting to sell a house with a fuschia bedroom or a seashell beige one.....think about it.....

Barbara Carlomagno And gray...depressing and boring, doesn't take much thought to decorate with neutrals.

mascafeporfavor Nice, innocuous design and decor that doesn't challenge or impose. I get the idea that a "neutral space" gives the inhabitants room to be themselves, but when I look at these photos of these spaces, I find them sterile, see no signs of life, can't imagine myself living there. I understand that the pressures of life outside one's home could lead to choices of neutrality, balance, and predictability within it, but am confounded that the design of these spaces, the way they are appointed for living, does not seem to result in any evidence of the inhabitant's personalities! My personal response to the majority of them was that I was looking at a home furnishings catalogue, in a mall, or an upscale big box furniture store, looking at floor displays.

Marie Roxanne As for people who think of resale value... If I were to sell my home that has colored walls, i would revert to "beige" so I can sell it.
I would never try to sell a home with "crazy colors" on the walls (but in the meantime, I would like to LIVE with color!!)

deidrem1 while they are lots of areas of the country with weak light and short days in the winter, you can have beige and add things (accessories, pillows, rugs, artwork) in your favorite colors too. I personally just have warmer beiges (light tan, butterscotch, etc) vs. greige. Also, there are upholstery fabrics were beige is the dominant color but have subtle accent colors as well.
Another tip is to avoid brown wood finishes, beige upholstery and brown floors and brown or beige rugs. I think the preponderance of all things brown is what people react to. Throw in some painted finishes to break up the brown. Metallic and mirrored finishes bring light without the beige. I love greys, from warm gray to silver to blue-tinted charcoal but as an accent. Grey tinted beige on beige furniture, rug and accessories with brown floors and cool white or beige walls for me is a non-starter in most of the midwest, and northeast. In the west or the south where you have strong intense light, go for it.

patricia beharry I would consider beige a "crazy" colour. I would have to be crazy before i put that on my walls. That said, there are shades of beige that is not so sterile.

veedles These rooms are all lovely in their own way. The best take-away I learned from my interior design degree from Cornish College of the Arts was to appreciate many things I would not care to live with. I'm not a " beige person" either but would kill for most of these rooms. (Kidding, kidding.) Lucky people who do live there!

13908str I'm with you, Roxanne!

miasf I am also in the anti-beige camp. I think most people don't understand how to use color and are afraid to make a personal design statement. Their insecurity leads them to choose a safe choice like beige. Sure it's a 'neutral', but then again so are black, white & brown and these three provide much more impact. Face it. Beige is the safe, generic choice for those who don't want their design to stand out, who don't want to offend. This is why it is so prevalent in hotels & retail stores. Neutral yes, but also lacking in commitment, artistic vision & verve. I prefer my interiors, like my friends, to be bold, interesting & full of personality! So I don't get the whole beige as 'calming sanctuary' argument. Sanctuary from what? Life? How sad!

So take a risk, try something crazy, fresh, different. Really think about what you find beautiful, interesting, stimulating. And try it! Design is fun. Not frightening.

freedom numbers 2 and 3 are INVITING !! and I have to support Tres McKinney Design: the flow and the layout, both of which incorporate the design touches ,make the room.....i don't care for beige, but my sofa, a Smith Brothers oversized plush could be considered that dreaded color, is actually textured with ivory and white too, and it anchors the room! I change pillows for color, and glass accents, and treasured pieces to make it mine. it's not "just beige".

freedom p.s., I always click on the photo I like because down the right side are the other photos belonging to the residence in that pic... and they adjust from room to room adding color accents .I love Houzz !

missicamps I think the theme of what is most trending for many of these rooms is monochromatic hence the high use of beige, obviously it is well liked by many but not all. It's understandable if that is not your preference but for some of us the use of mostly neutral colors is soothing, calming, and refreshing in a chaotic world. Personally I wouldn't have liked is so much if I had not made over a room as such to bridge style gaps between my husband and myself. The room is eclectic in furnishings but has a very neutral palate only adding one color into the mix of neutrals (creme, white, gray, a small amount of brown, black and white, then PURPLE) we both love it and it taught me that indeed there is more to life than the styles and multi colors I had always preferred and used to decorate with in the past. There are so many rooms and varying styles with pics on this site finding inspiration shouldn't be a problem for anyone. So go find yours and have fun!

Jim Lamb I like COLOR!

954donnah Can't stand the beigeness of it all.

cosmoone1 number 1 is my favorite , I' doing grey and yellow in my house. Not finished yet!

lf_in_sf Hmmm......this post interests me for some reason, I keep coming back to it..
I do not like these rooms at all, as I feel they lack imagination. But my beef is not the lack of colour: Beige, brown, white, black, grey,......greige if you will, can be FABULOUS. In fact , neutrals are my personal preference. I seldom like a hot mess of bright colour . But a neutral palette is EXTREMELY challenging to get right , without it being too safe and boring. People often complain that neutrals aren't "warm" enough....and love to add all sorts of colour. That'd be my worst nightmare. Ends up looking like a Starbucks......like the 80's called, and want their colour scheme back.
No, neutrals are demanding, and certainly not boring, if you do them well. And therein, lies what is lacking in all of these rooms. I look at them, and glaze over......move on, no inspiration here.

Manny's Interior Finishes 3.

sophiakh Sorry, not a fan of beige rooms, but I have a 9" burnt orange silk couch so I am looking froward to having a place I can paint to complement it. And misfit is not being rude, misfit is just bored with the blech colors. Often black, cream, beige is touted as chic, is is, but so are colors.

tamaral There is certainly a sameness to these images. Whether that indicates a Houzz demographic or a real trend or socio-economic reason for this is clearly up for debate. Yes, lots of beige/neutral in those palettes. I think people are generally playing it safe these days, the phrase 'pops of colour' being indicative of our general reluctance to invest in things that may prove to be a poor financial decision. Decor trends of course reflect the emotions of a general public and economic stasis. This is true throughout design history. Case in point: I'm battling an '80s bathroom fixture tragedy that reflected a distinct Laura Ashley beige mindset. Ick.

Someone above noted that 2013's recap will have a different look, and I agree. As we become more settled in this 'un-recession', with many people getting back on track with finances, I predict we'll see this reflected in our general design sense.

13908str sooooo....I see the field is quite disparate in regard to vibrant vs. neutral. Its imprtant to remember that there IS no right or wrong---its what one chooses to live with; what identifies them-----what says 'home', to THEM. No rules---only guidelines. Designers---even do-it-yourselfers are 'wayyyy ahead of the power curve if they can get a sense of who they are attempting to design for.. Its really not about being critical of someone else's taste---its about creating spaces that work for those who spend their time in them. We all want to have a place we can be proud of, but any idea that wreaks of snobbishess has no place in a sincere effort to help clients make their homes HOMES!

Diamondflame I see neutrals and pops of color. But if one chooses to focus on 'beige' that's all they are going to see...

valj3an "Crazy", "risky", "fun", "bold", "fresh", "different" are sometimes interesting and attractive, but are often excuses for lack of planning and poor taste, and the effect is usually discordant and jarring. A preference for neutrals with splashes of color, texture and pattern in some kind of balance doesn't equate to fear of design. Some of us just don't think it's appealing to throw animal prints and neon into a room randomly.

fredericklc Just the word "beige" makes my brain itch.

gseattle The only one I like at all is #7. They are all so bland, All the so called colors are too soft. 1 does have some pop also.

Monika Jones Sheesh folks. Some people like beige....

mshields100 Sometimes it's hard to judge a book by its cover or a movie by its poster. When you see a photo of one room in a house, you don't know the whole story. My last house was full of strong color; it was a 100 year old home with very distinct rooms and they each had their own personality. When I recently moved to an 8 year old house with a very open floor plan, none of my furniture worked together! I have been reupholstering like crazy in - you guessed it - neutral tones. Also, some of my older/wiser friends have taught me that neutrals transfer better from house to house, so if you plan to move often and/or don't want to reupholster, keep that in mind. If you have a bottomless wallet, go crazy with the color if you want! I agree with valj3an that planning is critical either way. So - let there be variety and appreciation for things that might be different from your own personal taste. it's OK!

friamka Colours are wonderfull. Some of us choose bright and colourfull surroundings where we feel comfortable in, and other choose white or pale colours. Does it really matter? I think all the rooms look amazing - Plain Beige , Red, Blue Yellow etc. Who cares it's what you make of the room and how you lay it out that makes the colour fit the vipe.

karelina Too beige, too expensive, all similar, all boring.

Sandra McCarty I am an artist and I will be the first to admit that I love my color! My earlier homes looked as if they were fresh out of the pages of a bohemian story book, but in recent years I tend to like creams and (gasp) beiges on my walls! Throughout my home I have interesting and very personal items, family heirlooms, and bright, expressive art that I change quite frequently to reflect the seasons. I use the cream and beige walls as blank canvases, more or less, to share and enjoy these details. I get sincere and enthusiastic comments quite often so apparently it's working. Boring is a state of mind; not a reality.