Are Neutrals Making A Comeback? 

In the design world, things tend to be cyclical. Trends once considered passe seem to circle back and emerge back in style once more. The old adage that “what was once old, is now new again” is very true in the design world. Thus the topics of this week’s blog regarding the re-emergence of neutrals in the design scene once again. 

Over the years, we have seen popular primary shades of grays and blues, reds and yellows come in and out of style. What continues to make a comeback time after time is the color palette in the hues of warm neutrals that homeowners are drawn to for their main living areas. Let’s take a closer look at neutrals and how you may want to use them in your home or business. 

What Are Neutrals? 

According to Home & Lifestyle Master Class online, neutrals are “muted shades that appear to lack color but often have underlying hues that change with different lighting. Examples of neutral colors include beige, taupe, gray, cream, brown, black, and white. While neutral colors are not on the color wheel, they complement primary and secondary colors.”

There are several styles of neutrals such as pure neutrals that are completely saturated colors such as white, black, brown, and gray. They are considered pure neutrals because they have no undertones of other colors. 

Near neutrals have undertones of other colors mixed in with the primary hue. These include the color tan because it uses the primary color yellow neutralized by the color brown. 

Warm or cool neutrals mix different pure neutral colors with primary colors. Warm neutrals have yellow, orange, or pink undertones, such as beige, tan, and gold, while cool neutrals have blue, purple, or green undertones, such as gray, taupe, and ivory.

Benefits of Neutrals 

Neutrals are making a comeback as they have in the past because of the advantages the hues have over bolder color choices. 

One major advantage of using a neutral tone is that the room is not overwhelmed by a certain color. Reds, blues, and greens can make a statement, but unfortunately, they can cause an oversaturation of color in a space. In contrast, neutrals are easily used to build a color palette in a room and allow for splashes of color to be accented throughout a space. Neutrals are also easily paired with other colors and allow the eye to rest when viewing a space. 

Decorating styles come and go and neutrals tend to coexist in harmony with so many of them. Whether you like modern, traditionalist, country farmhouse, or minimalist looks, neutrals can play a role in the design and color choices. 

As a side note, many homeowners find that neutrals have a calming effect which may be desirable in spaces such as a family room, den, dining area, or main living space in a home. 

Talk to our color specialists about what neutrals you gravitate toward and get our team to work in your home or business this fall or winter. 

Categorised in: Color Trends, Interior painting, Jerry Enos