The New Neutrals: Neutral Paint Schemes
Infinitely versatile and delightfully easy on the eye, neutral paint schemes are the epitome of harmony and homeliness, tonal tranquillity and stylish simplicity. Inspired by pigments of the earth, neutral colours ground a scheme in nature.
Warmer, more natural neutrals are even easier to use in the home with the introduction of the capsule collection, ‘Stone’. This collection sees families of harmonious neutral shades grouped together. Create tonal pairings within the same family of colours - or use colours from across the families to provide dynamic combinations.
Neutrals may very well be understated but should never be underestimated!
Keep it cool: Using Green-based Neutral Shades
Cool and calming, neutrals with gentle green undertones, such as Book Room Green 322, provide the essential pairing for Sage Green 80 and Green Stone Pale 268.
Create visual interest in a tonal room by painting the lower section of the wall in the darker shade and brighten the look with the paler shade on the upper half of the wall. Further add interest with subtle shadows created by panelling.
Originally, Book Room Green 322 was inspired by the book room at Wimpole Hall where it was the perfect backdrop for white plasterwork and deep red embossed leather book spines. Wood, leather and black furniture pieces look at home in this scheme.
Feel the warmth: Warm Neutral Paint Colours
For rooms at the heart of the home that require a feeling of warmth, neutrals that lean towards earthy, brown tones will do just the trick. These hues feel cosy without being overbearing and warm without being stifling.
Discovered at Basildon Park where it was used to warm up the look of a cold corridor, Travertine 319 looks at home in a sitting room with contemporary styling. Keep this neutral shade fresh by pairing it with Stock 37 on the ceiling.
For grand reception rooms with fireplaces and plenty of natural light, consider using Lute 317. Originally associated with the Bloomsbury Group of the 1920s, this neutral interior colour can be brought up to date for today’s interiors when paired with the deep Scullery 318 and intense Purple Brown 8.
Go for deeper neutrals in kitchens and intimate spaces, in wide horizontal bands of Light Bronze Green 123 highlighted with a stripe of Nether Red 315 and Elysian Ground 320.
Spa Days: Neutral Bathroom Paint Colours
For the ultimate in tranquillity, treat your bathroom to a calming transformation and layer tonal paint colours to create a backdrop for some much-needed rest and relaxation.
Use the Travertine family of warming hues alongside fresh Stock 37 to create a soothing haven. Alternatively, use Rolling Fog Dark, Mid and Pale in the same room for a slightly darker, but equally restful, scheme.
Explore bathroom paint colours beyond the neutral palette in our inspiration section.
Make an Entrance: Neutral Hallway Paint Colours
Provide an air of peace and calm when welcoming guests to your home by using soothing neutrals in your hallway. Neutrals are not only inviting, but they expand the sense of space and order in one of the busiest and often most confined areas of the home.
To brighten shadier hallways, use a combination of Wormwood 300, Edith’s Eye 301 and citrus-white Pique 299. Paint radiators the same colour as walls to further accentuate this harmonious look, as seen in this warm scheme that uses the Stock family of colours.
Or use Portland Stone 77 on woodwork and below the dado rail alongside Portland Stone Light 281 for a cooler scheme.
Discover further hallway ideas amongst our inspiration gallery.
Add Contemporary Accents: Contrasting Colour Schemes
Neutral colour interior design gains real impact when used as part of a contrasting scheme. Neutrals are sharpened and are given a contemporary edge when used alongside black. Paint floorboards in Jack Black 119 Floor Paint together with walls in Ulla 290 and pale putty green, North Brink Grey 29.
For a softer look when using neutral paint colours for living rooms, use the dark grey-green Pompeian Ash 293 instead of black alongside warm shades of Portland Stone and dark grey Baluster 321.
Explore the use of contrasting floor paint further in our Advice Hub.
Keep calm in the kitchen: Using Neutral Paint to Balance a Busy Space
If your kitchen is a busy socialising space, keep the mood calm and convivial by painting walls in inviting neutrals. These colours also do wonders for smaller kitchens and spaces that lack natural light.
White cabinets look fresh beside these off-white tones. Mushroom 142 has a hint of red oxide for warmth and is contemporised here by the addition of a stripe of Pompeian Ash 293. Flint 236, a purely mineral based warm white, further freshens the scheme.
For advice on painting kitchen cabinets, visit our Advice Hub.
Bright Idea: Pale Neutrals
Pale, calming neutrals look contemporary when combined with the unexpected. Here, punchy bright green Sage & Onions 288 punctuates this sophisticated French Grey Pale 161 and Portland Stone Dark 157 scheme.
Alternatively, a room of warm off-white Ferdinand 313 and plaster-like shade Castell Pink 314 is injected with energy from Nether Red 315 and Arras 316 on panelling and woodwork.
And, in this vibrant kitchen, walls are painted in barely-there Stock 37 and tiles in cheery Sunlight 135. Woad 251 provides the visual contrast and Heat 24 adds further playfulness.
Step Outside: Neutral Exterior Paint
Neutral paint colours in outside spaces allow plants and statement furniture pieces to remain the focal point. Light neutral paint colours can bring dark corners to life and bounce much-needed light back into courtyards and smaller city gardens.
Refresh your entertaining space with walls in Linen Wash 33 and woodwork in Loft White 222. For a Mediterranean twist, add in accents of Smalt 255 and Bone China Blue 107. For a more Scandinavian feel, use the warm grey Dolphin 246 with its red undertones and Rubine Ashes 243 – a gentle grey with a dusky hint of pink.
Use Masonry paint or Limewash for brickwork and Intelligent Exterior Eggshell for woodwork. Find out more about our exterior paint finishes here.
Discover the Stone collection, designed to offer warmth, tranquillity, timelessness and harmony.
