Neutral territory: The timeless elegance of neutrals in home design

Forever calming and restorative, the ease at which neutrals create a sanctuary-like setting means they’ll always have a place in the home. Their elegance and sophistication is why many people go back to basics with a neutral colour scheme. It’s probably also no wonder that Resene’s Top 20 paint colours are all neutrals – we can’t get enough! From deep charcoal blacks to warm taupes and timeless whites, you can create the perfect neutral palette in your home with Resene paints and wallpapers.

 

A soft touch

Create the perfect relaxing space in your home with a delicate wallpaper like Resene Wallpaper Collection PP1211.

This quiet and calm space gives off holiday vibes where you can sit and read a book with a warm breeze flowing in. In this mostly white room, this gentle, linen-look design - Resene Wallpaper Collection PP1211 - adds the perfect amount of texture and interest. Try adding delicate touches of other neutrals to keep the space tranquil, like soft greys, rosy taupes and subtle greens using Resene Half Rakaia, Resene Eighth Joss and Resene Half Emerge.

 

Calm and collected

In this unique yet calming living room, the floor is painted in Resene Fossil, wall in Resene Half Fossil with pattern in Resene Black, shelf in Resene Black, U shape vase in Resene Half Fossil, tealight candle in Resene Rice Cake, ribbed bowl in Resene Fossil, tall pedestal bowl in Resene Black, ribbed planter in Resene Half Fossil, ribbed vase in Resene Black, box in Resene Double Fossil, books in Resene Double Fossil, Resene Nocturnal and Resene Fossil and ball decoration in Resene Black. Black boucle cushion from Adairs, boucle chair and pleated tapered shade from Freedom. Project by Vanessa Nouwens, image by Bryce Carleton.

While we love bright pastels mixing with sumptuous, deep shades in home interiors, neutral palettes calmly hold their ground. Quiet, uplifting neutrals such as the taupes in this living room evoke sand and clay – the colours of the earth and natural landscape which connect us with nature and its purity. Resene Fossil’s appeal, as with all the popular Resene Whites and neutrals, is its timelessness. Freshen up your home with Resene’s other top whites and neutrals like Resene Alabaster, Resene Sea Fog, Resene Bokara Grey and Resene Grey Friars.

 

Chic and charming

Dark and moody designs like Resene Wallpaper Collection 38823-4 help create a sophisticated and refined space, perfect for a lounge, home office or bedroom.

In this room, the walls envelop you in a rich, dark textured wallpaper, Resene Wallpaper Collection 38823-4, hinting at depths of mystery and sophistication. The golden lamp and tables add a feel of elegance, while the tan-coloured chair offer a comfortable respite, its subtle hue providing a harmonious contrast to the room's colour palette. This is a great example of a space that is both alluring and comforting, a sanctuary where style meets comfort in perfect balance.

Colours that work well with this wallpaper are dark hues like Resene Porter and Resene Bokara Grey and warm whites like Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream and Resene Eighth Wheatfield. You could also pair this with wood stains like Resene Colorwood tinted to Resene Deep Oak, Resene Natural or the lighter Resene Whitewash to break up the dark tones.

 

Earthy palette 

In this earth toned living room, the wall is painted in Resene Copyrite and the timber floor is stained in Resene Colorwood Natural. Along the shelf the vases are in Resene Sugar Loaf, Resene Alpaca, Resene Raptor and Resene Half Rickshaw. Sofa, table and linen cushions from Citta, neutral patterned cushions and rug from Freedom. Project by Laura Lynn Johnston, image by Bryce Carleton.

With our lives becoming increasingly busy and mounting pressures to always be ‘on’, find some inner peace and ground yourself in nature. You can do this by using natural shades in your home, through paint, décor and textures. Find a photograph, wallpaper or piece of art you really like, and build your nature palette from there. Try using different shades of browns and greens – Resene Slate Brown, Resene Brown Derby, Resene Paddock and Resene Cabbage Pont.  If you need a helping hand to get started, load your photo into the Resene Colour Palette Generator, www.resene.com/palettegenerator, and it will suggest a colour palette for you.

 

Scandi warmth

In this bedroom, Resene Eighth Canterbury Clay, a warming neutral, is painted on the walls while Resene Eighth Joss covers the floor. These two hues offer the perfect base for other colours and textures to be layered on top to really dive into that friluftsliv-feel. Large pot in Resene Quarter Bison Hide and bedhead in Resene Eighth Joss. Bedlinen, lampshade, rug, cushions and purse from Mood Store. Project by Melle Van Sambeek, image by Bryce Carleton.

The two warming hues in this Scandi, boho room provide the perfect base for other neutrals and textures to be layered on top while still adding to the atmosphere of the room themselves. Layered natural textures in the rattan rug, jute pendant light and toe toe add visual interest and depth. If you want to add some deeper, richer tones, try adding pops of terracotta or dark earthy browns with Resene Alert Tan, Resene Tuscany and Resene Double Drought.

 

Past, present and peaceful

The geometric design in Resene Wallpaper Collection SUM102 is made soft and subtle through the light neutral tones within.

This room seamlessly blends the old and the new, with a lavish gilded mirror and timeworn fireplace, contemporary furniture and geometric wallpaper - Resene Wallpaper Collection SUM102. You don’t have to stick to a certain style or era, home design can be a blend of the things you love the most, that’s what makes it your own unique space. Pair this wallpaper with whites like Resene Sea Fog, Resene Thorndon Cream and Resene Quarter Blanc.

 

There’s a reason why various ‘white’ and neutral paint colours top the list of most popular Resene colours each year. They’re just so versatile! If you need more inspiration on which neutrals are right for you, check out our habitat plus – whites and neutrals book online. Alternatively, head to your local Resene ColorShop to chat to one of our friendly staff, or Ask a Colour Expert online.

Published: 04 Apr 2024

Do you have a home full of wonderful Resene paint and colour? Send us some snaps by emailing [email protected].

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Resene Half Rakaia

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Resene Eighth Joss

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Resene Half Emerge

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Resene Half Fossil

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Resene Double Fossil

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Resene Bokara Grey

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Resene Grey Friars

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Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream

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Resene Eighth Wheatfield

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Resene Half Rickshaw

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Resene Slate Brown

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Resene Brown Derby

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Resene Cabbage Pont

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Resene Eighth Canterbury Clay

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Resene Quarter Bison Hide

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Resene Double Drought

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Resene Thorndon Cream

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Resene Quarter Blanc

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