Neutral color schemes are palette combinations that don’t have a predominant color. They are muted and understated, creating a calming effect. Neutrals are versatile and work well in many design contexts from home decor to graphic design.
What colors are considered neutral?
The most common neutral colors include:
- White
- Cream
- Greige (mix between gray and beige)
- Light gray
- Medium gray
- Taupe
- Light brown
- Tan
- Beige
- Mushroom
- Oatmeal
- Khaki
These hues are muted rather than bright. They don’t dominate a space or clash with other colors. Neutrals create a blank canvas effect, adding subtle background interest while letting bolder accent colors pop.
Benefits of neutral color schemes
There are many advantages to using neutral color palettes:
- Calming – Neutrals have a soothing, relaxing effect on the eyes and mind.
- Versatile – Neutral backdrops allow you to easily update accent colors like pillows, art, and accessories.
- Inoffensive – Neutral schemes are unlikely to cause distaste or polarizing reactions.
- Easy to match – Mixing and matching neutrals across materials and textures is effortless.
- Light reflecting – Light neutrals like cream and oatmeal bounce light around a space, creating brightness.
- Spaciousness – Neutral rooms feel more open and airy compared to bold color palettes.
- Texture focused – Subtle neutrals let you highlight interesting wood grains, woven fabrics, and natural stone textures.
If you want a flexible, inclusive color scheme that appeals to a wide audience, it’s hard to go wrong with neutral hues. They provide a blank canvas for almost endless design possibilities.
How to create neutral color schemes
Follow these tips for working with neutral palettes:
- Choose a light, medium and dark neutral such as oatmeal walls, tan furniture and dark wood floors.
- Add visual interest through texture – leather, velvet, linen, rattan, concrete, marble.
- Incorporate natural elements like woven woods, greenery, stone, metals.
- Add pops of color thoughtfully – try a vibrant rug, accent chair, throw pillow or piece of art.
- Mix warm and cool tones for subtle contrast – cream walls, taupe sofa, gray velvet pillows.
- Echo neutral hues in varying shades throughout a space for cohesion.
- Use recessed lighting to add dimension and drama.
- Rely on thoughtful furniture placement and clean lines rather than color to define zones.
Avoid completely flat, all beige schemes. Layering neutrals adds much needed visual interest. Don’t be afraid to blend neutral tones from across the palette like tan, gray, cream and oatmeal when it makes sense for a cohesive look.
Neutral color combination ideas
Here are some winning neutral color schemes to inspire your home:
| Color Palette | Description |
|---|---|
| Cream, tan, chocolate brown | Warm and welcoming earthy neutrals |
| Gray, oatmeal, navy | Cool, relaxing combo for bedrooms |
| White, light wood, cane | Coastal cottage charm |
| Taupe, mushroom, cinder block | Modern industrial vibe |
| Olive green, oatmeal, black | Natural yet bold combination |
Don’t limit your thinking to beige when working with neutrals. There is an incredible range within earth tones from the warmth of sand to the coolness of stone. Layer greys, taupes, light wood tones and natural textures for a soothing oasis.
Examples of neutral color schemes by room
Let’s look at how neutrals can transform specific rooms:
Living room
- Tan leather sofa
- Cream curtains
- Oatmeal colored walls
- Light grey wool rug
- Dark wood coffee table
- Rattan side chair
- Marble stone fireplace surround
This living room uses creamy oatmeal walls as a neutral backdrop for the mix of organic and modern furnishings. Tan leather and rattan add warmth while the dark coffee table and marble fireplace provide contrast.
Kitchen
- White cabinets
- Grey quartz countertops
- Stainless steel appliances
- Wood plank tile floor
- Exposed brick backsplash
- Oatmeal walls
- Black metal bar stools
This kitchen has a modern industrial vibe thanks to the blend of white, grey, black and natural wood against the original brick walls. Oatmeal walls tie the space together without competing.
Bedroom
- Light grey walls
- White bedding
- Medium wood nightstands
- Tan leather bench
- Rattan pendant lights
- White crown molding
Soothing grey walls combined with natural rattan lighting creates a calming, relaxing retreat. Crisp white bedding pops against the neutral backdrop.
Bathroom
- White wainscoting
- Grey subway tile
- Oatmeal walls
- Marble counter and tub surround
- Chrome fixtures
- Tan bath mats
Marble adds elegance and visual interest to this spa-like bath while soft oatmeal walls, grey tile and white wainscoting provide a soothing neutral color palette.
Using neutral colors in graphic design
Neutral color schemes are also extremely effective in graphic design from websites to print materials. Benefits include:
- Flexible – Easy to update or change accent colors
- Readable – Plenty of contrast against white backgrounds
- Professional – Muted schemes feel polished and sophisticated
- Balanced – Neutrals don’t overwhelm the content
- Accessible – Grayscale is legible for color blind viewers
Follow these best practices when using neutrals in graphic design projects:
- Use a neutral background color like white, cream or light grey.
- Make page titles and headings a slightly darker neutral for contrast.
- Use a bold accent color strategically for buttons, icons or interactive elements.
- Stick to a muted color palette of similar tones and shades.
- Add texture and visual interest through the strategic use of images and graphic elements.
- Ensure text remains legible by providing sufficient contrast against backgrounds.
Neutral graphic design color schemes are clean, flexible and encourage focus on your content. By avoiding loud, bold hues, neutrals ensure accessibility for all users.
Conclusion
Neutral color schemes offer many advantages in interior design and graphic design contexts. They provide flexible palettes that soothe, relax and recede into the background. While bold color schemes demand attention, neutrals create spaces and design projects with nearly universal appeal. With visual interest created through careful texture, material and accent colors, muted palettes provide a sound foundation for diverse aesthetics and styles.
