Decorate Your Home in Neutral Tones

Many people decide that decorating in neutral tones is a good idea; the concept is that since you can add different colors any time you like, you don't have to spend a ton of money when you want to update the look.  Are neutral tones boring?  Far from it!  While they can look lackluster and dull, your rooms can be more beautiful than ever if done right.

Here are a few tips to help you create rooms that are comfortable and appealing.

The walls and floor should be the foundation of the room.  Neutral colors include taupe, sand, soft tones of blue, gray and any color that doesn't have a warm or cool overtone.  For the walls, you might want to consider a taupe shade finished out with white baseboards and trim.  The white gives a crisp, clean look to the room and brightens things up a bit.

Floors, whether tile, carpet or wood, can be anything from cream or gray to brown tones, such as you often find in pine or oak flooring.  For the ceiling, consider bright white if you want the room to appear taller and more open; a dark sand or taupe makes height diminish, and is perfect for those rooms with tall ceilings.  

When updating the look of a living room, it's best to keep furnishings in neutral tones as well.  Soft blue, sand and rich brown are stunning when combined in patterns such as plaids or stripes; add a punch of color with burnt orange throw pillows!  Your sofa, recliner or love seat can also be in a solid color; you will then want to use throw pillows that have striped, checked or abstract patterns to contrast.

Natural wicker also works well when decorating with a neutral color scheme.  Use cushions and throws for additional color and texture.

In any decorating scheme, whether neutral, cool or warm colors are used, it's best to stick with three predominant colors.  One color should dominate the other two, and additional tones can be added sparingly to give the room an added punch of color.  You may want to use a color such as sand as the dominant hue, then mix in country blue and rich chocolate brown.

To add a bit of excitement to this trio, add a splash of color here and there through vases, wall hangings and an area rug.  A vibrant peach tone would work well with these colors as well, and adds a bright, cheery appeal to the room.  Large plants add further appeal and an element of nature to the surroundings.

Neutral colors don't have to be boring!  Through the use of various patterns and textures, you can create rooms with depth, beauty and comfort.  Everyone loves a room that looks inviting and relaxing; this is exactly what you will get when you use neutral shades over all, and add brighter color sparingly through the use of small accents. 

You can get many exciting ideas on using neutral tones by searching online and looking through magazines - mix in a little of your own personality and creative ideas, and your home will have a unique look that all your neighbors will envy.