Neutral Is the New Black. Yes, you read that right! The word neutral often gets a bad rap because it is often associated with all things bland, boring, cold, or sterile.
Guess what, sweet friends? Neutrals are none of those things! A room curated with a neutral palette can be just as warm, cozy, and impactful as any other space. It gives you more options for layering in color and texture to suit your preferred style.
Our owner and principal interior designer, Michelle, pulled together some of her favorite neutral living room design ideas that we know you will love!
8 Neutral Living Room Design Ideas That Will Inspire You
1. Soft beige, Natural Wood, and Brass Metal Accents
Set against a neutral paint color, you can easily stage a beautiful neutral living room featuring a neutral plush sectional sofa or armchair, natural wood finishes, and brass metal accents. Depending on your selections, the space can transform into a cozy, masculine den or a gentler, softer feminine living space.
This vignette is an excellent example. By mixing fabrics, wood, and a gorgeous area rug, this is space is sleek, yet cozy. It invites you in for a cocktail, a game of cards, hanging with friends or a good read!
2. Modern Design Featuring Cream Neutrals
Yes, a white slip-covered sofa can lean coastal, but a white sofa with English or rolled arms will be more traditional. Whereas, if you opt for a white sofa with square track arms, you’ll instantly have a more modern feel. Go for timeless furniture pieces, like a pale beige sofa or gray couch, and play with symmetry to create the ultimate modern design featuring cream neutrals. Your space will feel fresh, inviting, and liveable.
This living room is neutral with modern touches brought in via fabric, lighting, and styling. The medallion chairs add a bit of traditionalism for much needed depth and a well-traveled look.
3. Shades of Gray
Gray doesn’t have to feel cold, drab, or dull. Mixing different shades of gray with warmer neutral tones can create a dynamic atmosphere. Choose darker grays with a purple undertone to add a little drama to your space.
A lighter gray with a warmer undertone or a hint of beige will keep the space warm and inviting if you include a lot of white touches in your space. Trust us, we could go on and on about choosing the ‘right’ gray for your home. As a trend for wall color it’s ‘out’ but furniture, no.
I love a modern design when it’s executed well, this cozy conversation spot doesn’t disappoint. Notice the neutral colors chosen for the additional furniture, decor, and woodwork. They are all combined with unique elements that give this room a classic, yet fresh and modern feel.
4. Muted Colors and Bright, Natural Light
Soft, muted coastal colors make a great addition to your neutral color palette. We love how blues can bring out coastal, airy notes in your living room. Combined with the natural light, pops of faded colors will brighten your space! If we have failed to convince you that neutral is not another word for boring, but another name for versatile, hopefully, the following example will change your mind.
This airy design is light, bright, and just right. Beachy, casual, and oh-so-comfortable… just the way we like it! We’re obsessed with these faded blue throw pillows! And those fuzzy pillows and nesting wood cylindrical tables? So fresh!
Designer Tip: Do you love blue as much as we do? Then read our blog about the blue and white trend that we can’t get enough of!
5. Neutral Color Palette With earthy Accents
Powerful shades of charcol sprinkled throughout a neutral living room space feel stylish and sophisticated. Mix in bold contrast and taupe prints, sleek woodworking, or add black and gray abstract art. To add warmth, hang up a brass mirror or frame your art in an ornate gilded frame. You could also toss in more natural wood finishes like a cocktail table to add even more warmth to your neutral color palette.
This neutral living room has masculine notes and very clean lines… just look at those floors! By mixing in modern art pieces with neutral colors and oversized furniture, you are transported to a very European setting…
6. A stunning neutral oasis
The best thing about a neutral living room design is that you can easily switch out different pops of color depending on which furniture you choose! Maybe you’d like to accent the indoor plants in your space, so you bring in a velvet green sofa. Perhaps you like the warmth of earth tones such as terracotta red or rusty orange. Either way, there are so many directions you can go once you lay down a neutral foundation.
All the details in the spacious, gorgeous entertaining space keep the party vibes happening. Adding layers with plenty of pattern and texture give this space an eclectic and sleek global vibe!
7. Natural Textures and Warm Neutrals
There are so many ways to bring nature indoors with a neutral color palette without leaning too far into the bohemian territory. We love tying in organic touches in a mature and elevated manner. Incorporate natural textures throughout the space with design elements such as a woven area rug, stone table tops, stunning stone fireplace facade, or a waterfall countertop. Earth and clay tones warm up a space. You could also finish with some brown and beige ceramics!
We can’t get over the natural drama of the exciting vaulted ceiling and windows that let all of the amazing natural light into the space!
8.dramatic glamorous Touches
Such a gorgeous take on a glamorous cozy, updated neutral space. We love to add fun touches many of our rooms in the accessories department. We love decor touches of white, flax, and wood via furniture, accessories, and rugs. When you select neutral furnishings, you can visit the wild side with a dramatic color palette pulled in with paint, pillows, and artwork! We hope we have presented a compelling case to lure you to the dark… errr… neutral side, sweet friends!
If you’re interested in seeing more of the amazing neutral interiors on the daily, follow us on Instagram, then hop over to our historic home renovation page for more ideas! There, you can peruse before and after photos and read more about Michelle and her husband, Brian’s, journey in renovating a historic Charleston single-style home in Summerville, SC!
Design the Neutral Living Room of Your Dreams With One Coast Design!
Don’t be afraid of creating a neutral living room design because neutral is anything but boring. It provides you with a solid foundation that can be built on or changed over time with an ocean of choices for colorful decor accents, and ultimately, it will stand the test of time!
We’re more than happy to help design the neutral living room of your dreams! Schedule an initial design consultation with us, and our principal designer, Michelle, will walk you through some suggestions to get you started on your journey!
