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Using the Classic Neutrals
The ‘classic neutrals’ are a popular choice for interior design, offering real longevity. These subtle shades provide a restful alternative to cooler grey and blue tones. Instead, classic neutrals are warm, relaxing and simple to complement with fabrics and furnishings.
Discover how to embrace classic neutrals in your home, using paint colours in the Little Greene palette.
What Defines a Classic Neutral?
Neutral paint colours are a staple in interior design. These shades are useful for creating a light, airy and open feel in both large and small spaces. Due to their subtle warm undertones, classic neutrals will maximise your space. Additionally, neutrals deliver a calm and cosy setting that’s easy on the eye and comfortable to live with.
Classic neutrals are all about timeless style and flexibility. Colours like warm brown shades, honey tones and gentle taupes blend effortlessly with various palettes and design elements. These subtle hues create a peaceful background in different spaces, allowing furniture, textures and accents to stand out.
With their unique adaptability, classic neutrals are at-home in both traditional and contemporary settings. These versatile hues allow easy shifts between design trends and personal tastes, always radiating sophistication.
Walls & Cupboard Doors: Bombolone
Window Trim: Silt
Ceiling Beam: Flint
How to Interpret Classic Neutrals in a Contemporary Way
Skillfully combine timeless neutrals with modern elements for a harmonious scheme. Doing so allows you to create an environment that embodies sophistication and contemporary flair. To give classic neutrals a contemporary twist, mix contrasting textures and materials for a dynamic look. Add bold colour accents through furnishings, artwork or lighting fixtures to make a statement. Simultaneously, warm neutral shades will create a strong backdrop.
Madeleine, a muted gold colour, creates an inviting entryway with an instant warm welcome. Paired with the classic light neutrals, Linen Wash and Portland Stone, the scheme is elegant and carefully balanced. The addition of contemporary details, such as a statement mirror and rug, bring a touch of liveliness and add to the relaxed, homely feel.
Consider pairing classic neutral walls with a darker shade to add contemporary impact to your scheme. Lute is a soft, mid-strength hue that creates an interesting contrast when juxtaposed with Pompeian Ash on the lower walls. Introduce an unexpected colour highlight, such as a burnt orange lampshade, to energise the space.
Walls, Dado Rail & Panel: Madeleine
Ceiling & Architrave: Linen Wash
Door: Portland Stone
Classic Neutral Interior Design Inspiration
Mushroom Kitchen
Try Mushroom, a classic neutral with a hint of red oxide, perfect for adding warmth to kitchen walls. Pair this gentle interior colour with related neutrals like Flint on woodwork, and introduce natural wood, rattan or jute finishes for an organic feel.
This soft neutral colour combination will suit any room where you want to create a feeling of tranquillity, comfort and relaxation. Bedrooms, living rooms or utility spaces are the perfect settings.
French Grey Living Area
French Grey is the perfect warm grey to create a balanced, understated backdrop without any harsh cool undertones. Add texture to your French Grey living space through the use of rugs and furnishings, creating a comforting scheme to relax in. Instead of the habitual white, paint the trim and skirting boards in French Grey – Pale. Doing so will provide a delicate contrast that will elevate your scheme.
Rolling Fog Hallway
Classic neutrals are a wonderful choice for your hallway. These shades provide a welcoming atmosphere and transition effortlessly into the adjoining rooms.
Rolling Fog - Light offers gentle warmth and intimacy, an ideal neutral to use all-over on your hallway walls. For added depth and character, consider introducing a strong complementary brown like Attic II on panelling. This dark, earthy shade is a beautiful accompaniment to rustic flagstone flooring for a traditional finish.