I find myself increasingly drawn to rooms decorated almost exclusively in neutrals — Pinterest is flooded with such spaces and they seem so restful. In fact, I’ve made a systematic effort to create more neutral spaces into my own home and in the process I have landed on some tips to achieve the serenity of a neutral space without it seeming flat or boring.
Vary the tones. Having a variety of wood tones and/or painted pieces to break up the wood tones lends a nice movement to a space. The same could be said of paint colors — consider different tones or shades of the same color for a feature wall or interesting trim detail — and tile in bathrooms or kitchens, and fabrics, too.
Layer textures. Think about rugs, drapes, throw pillows for sure, but don’t forget metals, glass and other reflective surfaces to keep the eye moving around the space.
Add a piece with interesting lines or patterns. An unusually shaped chair, light fixture, lamp or table add dimension to neutral spaces. Don’t shy away from patterns on your fabrics or rugs and unique wall decor. Even in coordinating shades of neutrals, details like these will catch the eye.
Add a pop of color. As cliche as it sounds, a contrasting pop of color makes every space more interesting, especially when used sparingly. In the neutral kitchen it can be a bowl of fruit. In the dining room it can be a colorful centerpiece. Black accents can serve the same purpose, whether window frames or a framed mirror.
Not sure where to start? Collect images of neutral rooms that appeal to you, whether you’re pulling pages out of shelter mags or pinning to a new board on Pinterest. Once you have lots of images to look at, study them — give thought to what draws you into each image, considering paint colors, fabrics, art work, furniture, rugs, lighting. Then I recommend creating your own mood board on a site like Polyvore, using specific pieces you have in mind. In fact, create a few, tweaking as you go, and look at similar mood boards from other users. This helps you collect all the pieces you might use on one visual aid.
Good luck creating your serene neutral space!
Find more DIY home projects and decor inspiration on my blog, Decor & More.
