Get to Know: Neutral Colours
Associated with calm, slow-paced living, neutral paint colours can make a room look effortlessly coordinated. Ranging from soft cream and clean white, to chocolate brown and elegant grey, we’ve selected our favourite neutral paint combinations so you can create your own cosy, minimalist space.
White
Possibly the most popular of all neutral colours, white paint creates light, bright and airy spaces. Its versatility means you can pair it with essentially any neutral colour. Depending on the mood you want to create, select either a warm white, cool white or true white.
Warm whites, such as our Antique White, tend to have undertones of yellow, red or beige, and are perfect for creating cosy, inviting spaces. Cool whites, such as off-white Steamed Milk, have grey or blue undertones, for that crisp, calm vibe suited to bright south-facing rooms.
Left: Steamed Milk
Right: Antique White
Looking for something in-between? Our true white Cotton is a balanced neutral, perfect for a clean look with no strong undertones.
Left and Right: Cotton by @at_home_with_becks32a
Beige
Neutral beige paint evokes warmth and calm. Playing well with light, beige is associated with elegance and stability, as it provides an uncluttered, restorative feel. Beige is also reminiscent of sand, clay, stone and other natural textures.
Our cool toned beige Hessian looks great with our true white Cotton, and is perfectly suited for south-facing rooms with a lot of warm, natural light.
A neutral paint like Warm Clay will warm cooler north-facing rooms, for that tranquil, comforting feel. The perfect colour for a cosy country kitchen, add depth by softening warmer shades with a creamy neutral like Longsands.
Left: Hessian walls, Cotton ceiling
Right: Warm Clay cupboards, wall, ceilings, Longsands splashback
Brown
Brown paint is essential for any neutral colour palette, as it creates a sense of quiet luxury. It adds more depth than black and more warmth than grey for an intimate, cosy feel.
Our cool dark brown Lockwood has a subtle green undertone, reminiscent of calm, shadowy woodlands. It pairs beautifully with cool earthy neutral Half Light and natural textures such as wicker baskets and wood floors.
A rich, chocolatey brown like Cocoa is perfect for creating a warm, relaxing space. One of our favourite neutral bathroom paint colours, try pairing with gold accents and leafy plants for a serene, spa-like space.
Left: Lockwood, Half Light by @cottagerenovationcwmrhys
Right: Cocoa by @at_home_with_becks32a
Grey
Grey is one of the most popular neutral paint colours for a living room. Its versatility means it will pair with a variety of different shades, while offering fewer visual demands. Perfect for creating uncluttered, soothing spaces.
Our delicate grey Dove works perfectly with soft linen and warm textures such as wood or brass. A sophisticated alternative to white, try pairing with pastels such as blush pink or powder blue for a delicate yet colourful vibe.
Layering varying shades of grey paint is a great way to create elegant, cohesive spaces. Our warm, mid-toned grey Flint works well as a stunning backdrop for a deeper, more dramatic grey like Graphite.
Left: Dove
Right: Flint walls, Graphite woodwork
Black
Black is a neutral used to anchor a space, ideal for a statement feature wall or adding a more subtle contrast through furniture, trims and décor. Black is similar to grey in the sense that it is sophisticated and versatile, pairing effortlessly with both light and dark shades.
Our true black Natural Charcoal is the perfect contrast against our off-white Steamed Milk and similar warm neutral Oyster. The sleek, monochrome palette instantly creates a chic, coffee shop style kitchen.
For a more colourful pairing, our bright lilac Violet Macaroon looks striking opposite our Black Sand. A dense blue-black, the blue undertones pair well with purple, and add a more mature twist to this playful shade.
Left: Oyster, Natural Charcoal cupboards, Steamed Milk wall by @thevictorianterrace
Right: Violet Macaroon, Black Sand
Neutral bedroom paint colours
We love this calming off-white bedroom, with walls painted in Steamed Milk and floorboards in cool neutral Half Light. Pair with comfy cushions and minimalist artwork to complete the look.
Left and right: Steamed Milk wall, Half Light floor by @ourneutralground
Neutral kitchen paint colours
Left and right: Porcelain wall, Café Luxe cupboards, Oyster tiles by @ourneutralground
Looking for the perfect shade to pair with neutrals? For warm and cosy rooms, check out our blog post on warm colours. For cool and soothing spaces, read our blog post on cool colours.