25 Neutral Color Living Room Resources That Are Anything But Boring • Inspired Design Talk

Looking for neutral color living room ideas to update your home? Check out this design that’s sure to be a show stopper!

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Neutral Color Living Room

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Are you afraid a neutral color palette will be boring in your home and you are not sure where to begin? Neutral colors are the perfect backdrop for any space.

When you start with neutral colors you can add any pop color you want. You can also change the look and feel of your space seasonally by changing out your accent color.

Neutral colors will make a space feel inviting and calm. They are also timeless and will last for many years to come.

If you’re wondering where to start, I’m sharing my top tips that’ll give you the confidence to design with neutrals.

This post is all about neutral color living room ideas.

Shop The Look | Neutral Living Room

1. Contemporary Artwork // 2. Sputnik Chandelier // 3. Wall Sconce // 4. Curtain Rod // 5. Linen Curtain // 6. Kelly Wearstler Pillow // 7. Colorblock Pillow // 8. Charly Right Chaise Sectional // 9. Giza Black Side Table // 10. White Marble Coffee Table // 11. Brass Metal Objects // 12. Faux Cowhide Area Rug // 13. Cosway Barrel Chair // 14. Marble Brass Side Table // 15. Lumbar Pillow Cover // 16. Modern Round Dining Table // 17. Neutral Area Rug // 18. Gold Lumbar Pillow // 19. Black Velvet Pillow // 20. Grey Fur Pillow // 21. Tufted Velvet Ottoman // 22. Tufted Grey Upholstered Bench // 23. Sheepskin Area Rugs // 24. Gold Drink Table // 25. Quote Decorative Book // 26. Flush Mount Light

Neutral Color Living Room Measure Guide

Before we get into the design steps I want to remind you to measure your room before you order furniture. It’s important to always start with a floor plan because without it you won’t know what size furniture you need.

Download your FREE how-to-measure guide to avoid returns!

Once you have your measurements you’ll be able to order your furniture with confidence.

This video will help you create a floor plan based on the measurements of your space.

Best Neutral Color Living Room Tips

Well-designed neutral spaces have layers of texture, contrast, and interest. This is done by applying the principles of design to create a balanced harmonious look.

My top tips for designing with neutrals are:

Choose your Neutral color palette
Layer Textures and Patterns
Add Mixed Metals
Use Repetition
Create Moments
Add Artwork
Use Dramatic Lighting
Incorporate Interesting Shapes & Silhouettes
Accent Wall

See below for more details on each area. Once you know the formula for designing with neutrals you’ll be able to repeat the process throughout your home.

1. Neutral Color Living Room Color Palette

This may seem like common sense but you need to decide what neutrals you’re using. In the living room below the palette is gray, black, and white. You could have a room that has taupe, cream, or brown as your neutrals as well.

Keep in mind the fixed elements in your space when choosing your color palette. You’re going to want your home to flow from room to room.

This means you need to consider the stone, tile, and flooring used in your home. If you have warm yellow neutrals but choose a cool blue neutral palette your space will feel off.

It’s best to look at all your colors as a whole when planning your design. The colors should complement each other and have a similar vibe.

2. Layer Textures and Patterns

A great way to create a space that’s not boring is by using different textures and patterns. In this room, multiple fabrics and textures were used. There are velvet, linen, faux shantung, fur, and metallic fabrics.

Patterns can be found in the quilting, faux hide rug, and geometric printed pillows.

living-room-with-classic-gray-walls-and-gray-chaise-sofa-1200x840

3. Mixed Metals

A popular trend to use in contemporary spaces is mixed metals. In the above neutral living room inspiration, both gold and silver are mixed throughout the space.

This repetition adds interest and helps your eyes move through the room. If you already have silver accessories you can add in touches of gold for warmth and interest.

Just remember to use the metal in three places so it to makes sense. One gold item when everything else is silver will look out of place.

On the other hand, three gold items will create flow and make a statement. This is known as the design principle of repetition.

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4. Repeat Elements

As mentioned above an important design principle to incorporate in your design is repetition. It’s a type of rhythm where shapes, forms, lines, or colors are repeated in a harmonious manner.

All the neutral colors used in the feature living room have been sprinkled throughout the space. This makes the space feel warm and inviting.

5. Create Moments

“Moments” are the different areas within a room that make a statement. This sitting area with the large abstract artwork, velvet bench, and drink table is a great example.

It’s separate from the main seating area but makes an impact on the room. The space welcomes visitors to sit down and relax while enjoying long conversations.

Just adding artwork to the wall wouldn’t have the same visual interest. It would make a statement but not invite visitors to walk over and enjoy the details.

contemporary-black-and-gold-art-with-gray-velvet-bench-fur-rug-800x550

Here’s another “moment” in the opposite corner of the room. It has a round table, accessories, and ottomans. The round table softens the curves of the corner and creates another focal point.

This design composition would also look great in a foyer or beneath a curved staircase. It’ll make a dramatic statement that’s sure to be a conversation starter.

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6. Neutral Color Living Room Artwork

The artwork in this space is contemporary and whimsical. The peace sign art is by Kelli Ellis for Leftbank. It totally sets the tone of the room.

The other pieces have the same black, white, gray, and gold color palette. This helps create flow and a cohesive look in the room.

Since the artwork has movement it helps carry your eyes throughout the room.

bernhart-cosway-chair-with-peace-sign-art-1200x840

7. Dramatic Lighting

The Jonathan Adler chandelier in this neutral living room is the star of the show. Lighting or the jewelry of a room adds that finishing touch.

It creates interest and drama which makes your space anything but boring.

For accent lighting, sconces were added to the fireplace and door walls. Dimmable lighting really helps set the mood.

Make sure you add dimmers to all your lighting for drama and atmosphere.

8. Interesting Shapes & Silhouettes

This neutral room has so many interesting shapes and silhouettes. The Bernhardt Cosway Barrel Chair mixes high-performance ivory velvet with a brushed metal frame that is so sexy.

The Giza Side Table adds a cool geometric shape that is much more interesting than your average modern side table.

9. Neutral Color Living Room Accent Wall

Another way to add interest is by adding an accent wall. This space has a dramatic black feature wall using Benjamin Moore Obsidian paint.

The goal was to minimize the large TV in the living room. Adding this dramatic wall does just that.

The grey border linen drapery adds to the sophistication and drama of the space. They also help lighten the dark wall as does the white fireplace.

Neutral Color Living Room Paint Colors

I know you are wondering so here are the paint colors used in this living room design. Benjamin Moore paint is my jam so all colors are from this amazing company!

Walls: Benjamin Moore Classic Gray OC-23 (eggshell finish)

Accent Wall: Benjamin Moore Obsidian (matte finish)

Trim: Benjamin Moore Simply White OC-117 (semi-gloss finish)

Budget Worksheet

DOWNLOAD this FREE Living Room Budget Worksheet to calculate how much your makeover will cost.

Hope these tips and resources help you design your neutral color living room with confidence.

Have a great day full of Unicorns and Rainbows!

xo Nicole