27 Neutral Living Room Ideas
27 Neutral Living Room Ideas for a Cool, Calm, and Collected Space
Looking to create a neutral living room? You’ve come to the right place.
Neutral interiors are a foolproof way to create a space that you’ll love for years to come. While they’re easy to maintain, they’re not boring.
In fact, neutral spaces are some of the most interesting and serene rooms, thanks to the play of light, materials, and tonal texture.
But just because a room is neutral doesn’t mean it has to be monotonous. Create a neutral living room with a few well-placed elements of interest.
1. Play with pattern
Who says that a neutral color palette means you can’t have any fun with pattern? Not us.
In fact, using patterns in a neutral color palette is a great way to add interest to a room without overwhelming the space with color.
In this living room, the patterned rug is the focal point of the room.
The rest of the space is kept very simple, with just a few decorative objects and the fireplace wall painted in a soft white.
2. Make a statement with texture
If you want to create a living room that’s neutral but still has plenty of interest and depth, then texture is key.
You can add texture to your space with soft furnishings like rugs, cushions, and throws, but also consider the larger textural elements in the room like the flooring, walls, and furniture.
This neutral living room idea is a masterclass in how to add texture to a space.
The walls have been treated to a rough plaster finish that adds a subtle but effective texture to the room.
The rug too adds a different texture and the armchairs are upholstered in a soft, tactile fabric that contrasts with the sleekness of the sofa.
3. Go big with a neutral statement piece
If you’re a color lover, but want to keep the rest of your living room decor neutral, then a large piece of artwork is a great way to add some interest.
A print like this is easy to bring in other colors, but you can keep the rest of the room neutral and just add in a few more subtle accents of the artwork’s colors.
4. Add a pop of color
If you’re a color lover, you might think that a neutral living room isn’t for you.
But that’s not the case. You can easily add in some pops of your favorite color to break up all the beige.
In this living room, the color is brought in through the artwork and the rug.
It’s a subtle way of adding color and you can switch up the artwork and the rug when you want a new look.
5. Create a focal point
If you have a large, neutral living room that’s feeling a bit flat, create a focal point to draw the eye to a specific area of the space.
This can be achieved with a bold piece of furniture, a gallery wall, or a large piece of art.
In this living room by Emily Henderson, a colorful gallery wall creates a stunning focal point that contrasts beautifully with the white walls.
A large, neutral area rug helps ground the space, while a modern chandelier draws the eye up.
6. Mix and match
If you want to give a neutral living room a bit of a lift, introduce a few different pastel colors.
This room has a lovely mix of blues and pinks that add a subtle hint of color and interest.
You could also use this mix and match approach with the textures and patterns in the room. Here, the look is tied together with the rug and the artwork.
7. Keep it simple
You don’t need to go all out with your neutral color scheme to create a cozy space.
This living room is a great example of how to use a few different shades to create a simple, cohesive look.
The colors are all quite muted, and the space is kept very simple with just a few pieces of furniture and a couple of accessories.
The result is a very calming, elegant living room.
8. Add a touch of glam
A neutral living room is the perfect backdrop for adding in some glam touches.
You can keep the color scheme simple and still get that opulent feel by adding in some metallics and lush textures.
We love the subtle touch of gold in this living room. It’s not overdone but still brings in that hint of luxury.
The gold coffee table and matching accessories on the side table add just enough glam without overpowering the rest of the space.
9. Bring the outdoors in
We all know that houseplants are a surefire way to add some color to a neutral color scheme, but you can also use the natural world to inspire your color palette.
In this space, the soft, sandy colors are a nod to the desert landscape outside the windows.
The layers of pale pinks, beige, and white create a warm, inviting space that still feels light and fresh.
10. Go for a modern look
Modern living rooms are all about simplicity, clean lines and a neutral color palette.
This space designed by Studio McGee is a great example of how to create a modern living room that still feels warm and inviting.
The key to this look is layering different shades of white, cream and beige.
The neutral colors keep the space feeling cohesive, while the different textures and patterns add depth and interest.
11. Add a pop of color with a neutral background
If you love color but also love the soothing look of a neutral living room, you can have the best of both worlds.
Simply keep the larger, more expensive pieces of furniture and the walls a neutral color and layer in pops of color with your decor.
This way you can easily switch out colors or patterns when you want to change up the look of your living room without having to invest in new furniture.
Conclusion
The living room in this Nashville treehouse captures a cozy, eclectic vibe. The slipcovered sofa is from ABC Carpet & Home, the windows are covered in their house fabric, and the 8′ x 10′ rug is by Merida.
