08 Jan NEUTRAL COLORS IN INTERIOR DESIGN
Neutral colors are some of the most versatile in the color palette. Although apparently lacking in intensity, neutral colors can create different visual effects, emphasizing focal points, depths or lights, thus adding more style, balance and elegance to the interior space.
Types of neutral colors
The basic neutral colors are black, white, brown and gray, but the neutral color palette is not limited to these. Thus, we can talk about:
– Pure neutral colors: the four basic neutral colors, which are completely saturated and do not have an undertone.
– Almost neutral colors: obtained by mixing a primary color with a pure neutral color, resulting in a hue with low levels of saturation.
– Warm neutral colors: obtained by mixing warm primary colors such as yellow or red with pure neutral colors; the most common colors in this category are bronze and ivory.
– Cool neutral colors: obtained by mixing cool primary colors such as blue or green with pure neutral colors; the most common colors in this category are grey-brown, cool white or intense charcoal blue.
Mixing neutral colors creates unique shades. For example, “greige” is a mixture of light gray and beige, with shades of yellow in natural light and gray in fluorescent lighting.
The benefits of neutral colors in interior design
By choosing neutral colors in your interior design, you can create a variety of different styles, from contemporary to classic, by combining them with brighter accessories and decor, or by customizing an entire color palette that you can use throughout your home.
Here are some benefits of including neutral colors in interior design, regardless of style:
– It creates a calm and peaceful atmosphere – Neutral colors do not compete with each other or with the other features of the interior, thus creating a relaxing, balanced and welcoming atmosphere.
– It provides opportunity for play and creativity – Neutral colors can be a perfect background for accents with bright decorations and accessories. You can try combining neutral colors with metallic shades of gold or silver to add a modern touch.
– It lights up the space – In interior design, light is a vital element. In addition to lighting fixtures, neutral colors highlight and enhance interior light. And placing light sources near neutral colors such as off-white or cream is excellent for this purpose, as it reflects light from outside sources and spreads it throughout the house.
– It provides design flexibility – Changing the home decor or even the furniture is extremely easy when the room has a neutral color palette because it is versatile and goes well with different color schemes and design elements. Neutral colors help balance a room, so you can always add or replace different accessories and textures.
Neutral colors in interior design are not boring or lifeless. They work very well as a blank canvas that can be customized according to personal style. From modernism to rustic or Art Deco, neutral colors enhance different tones or patterns used in interior design. For example, neutral shades balance geometric patterns in an Art Deco room, while darker neutrals create an elegant effect in a modern room. Regardless of your preferred interior design style, there is an extensive variety of neutral colors from which you can choose the right shades to achieve the balanced and elegant atmosphere you desire.