Neutral colours are muted shades that appear to lack colour but often have underlying hues that change with different lighting. Examples of neutral colours include beige, taupe, grey, cream, brown, black, and white. While neutral colours are not on the colour wheel, they complement primary and secondary colours. You can combine primary colours—like red, white, and blue—to make a range of other colours. Secondary colours are the result of mixing two primary colours, like green (yellow plus blue), orange (yellow plus red), and purple (red plus blue).

Neutral colours can be complex in tone, as mixing different colours creates unique shades. For example, grey is a mix of light grey and beige, with yellow hues in natural light and grey in fluorescent lighting. (Natural light refers to lighting generated from a natural source like the sun.)

The basic neutral colour palette comprises black, white, brown, and grey, with varying shades in between. Here is a breakdown of the various types of neutrals:

• Pure neutrals: The pure neutral colour palette includes black, white, brown, and grey, all of which fall under the category of pure colour, which means they are fully saturated and do not have an undertone (underlying colour). By mixing different pure neutrals and primary colours, you can influence the resulting colour’s saturation and vibrancy.
• Near-neutrals: Mixing a primary colour with a pure neutral colour creates a near-neutral. For instance, to make the near-neutral colour tan, mix the primary colour yellow with the pure neutral brown. Near-neutral colours have lower saturation than pure neutral colours. Similarly, pairing a neutral colour with a bright hue increases the vibrancy of the hue, attracting the eye to that particular spot of colour.
• Warm and cool neutrals: Mixing different pure neutral colours with primary colours creates either warm neutrals or cool neutrals. Warm neutrals have yellow, orange, or pink undertones, such as beige, tan, and gold, while cool neutrals have blue, purple, or green undertones, such as grey, taupe, and ivory.

Interior designers use neutral colour palettes to create different visual effects, playing with focal points, depth, saturation, and highlights to enhance a living space. Here are some of the advantages of decorating with a neutral colour palette:

You can build off neutral tones.

When you paint or decorate a space with a neutral colour, you can build off that tone, incorporating accent colours or bold patterns. Overusing bold colours makes the room overwhelming and distracting for the eye. Neutral colours help balance a room so that you can add different accessories and patterns. 

Neutrals pair well with a range of colours.

Through different seasons, your style and preferences may change. Changing your home décor with a new pattern piece or set of curtains is easy when your room has a neutral colour palette because it's versatile and pairs well with different colour schemes and design elements. Simply adding new throw pillows to your couch can change the look of your living room and match your new style.

Neutrals can have a calming effect.

While bright, bold colours are loud and vibrant, neutral paint colours are calming and gentle on the eye. With little saturation, neutral colours seamlessly flow from one colour into the next. Most neutral palettes also reflect naturally occurring colours, shaping a living area into a relaxing, nature-based space. 

You can use any decorating style.

Different interior design styles incorporate neutral colours, from modernism to rustic to art deco. As a natural foundation for any background, neutral colours enhance different tones and patterns. For instance, neutral shades balance geometric patterns in an art deco room, whereas darker neutrals create a streamlined, sleek effect in a modern room.

When working with a neutral colour scheme, find subtle DIY ways to add texture and colour ideas for versatility.

Use different tints:

Tonal colour palettes add highlights and accents to a neutral colour palette, making areas of a room pop. Incorporate different tints and neutrals to create a more lively and engaging space. Consider pairing sage green with a predominantly grey and white room to add a tint of colour—a pop of pink pairs nicely with warmer neutrals, such as gold or beige.

Consider the lighting:

A room’s lighting influences how your eyes read a colour. Artificial lighting tends to have a yellow hue, so it intensifies warmer neutrals. Consider factors such as the season, time of day, the sun’s position, and the room’s location when choosing your colour schemes. For example, natural light from the north creates a blue tint, making neutral colours appear darker and less saturated, while eastern or western light creates a warmer hue. White paint comes in various shades; they also appear differently depending on the natural lighting.

Add colour with accessories:

Pairing neutral walls with neutrally coloured large furniture pieces can create a calming effect, but that doesn’t mean you must sacrifice colour. Instead, incorporate colour in the different accessories in the room, such as throw pillows, artwork, or curtains. Choosing accessories with colour makes it easier to change the room’s style and décor to match different seasons.

Choose the right colour:

Different near-neutral and pure neutral colours have varying effects on a room. Dark, cool colours create a cozy feel within a room, while lighter neutrals make a room appear larger. Choose a room colour that aligns with the design and feel you want for the space.