Making Neutrals Feel Timeless, Not Trendy

Learn how to use texture to add character and dimension to neutrals, infusing your palette with warmth and personality.

I feel like two very distinct and contradictory interior trends are blossoming from the COVID years and beyond. The first I will explore in this post is the rise of calm, heavily textural, warm neutral interiors and the second being the extremely vibrant, eclectic and vivacious style that is all about celebrating life and joy and colour. It is easy to see why both trends have come about and both are a very valid reaction to the times we are living in.

Warm Neutrals

The colour palette is very much creams, blush pinks, sandy neutrals, caramels and earthy terracottas and the materials are natural pinkish stones, travertine, polished plaster, wools, bouclés and wooden pieces that show the grain and the bark – a celebration of the material’s natural beauty.  Nothing shiny or frivolous or showy.  More heavy and solid and authentic.  It is also a paired down sparsity to this trend which adds to the feeling of calmness.

Creating intimate spaces to relax in

Many paint companies foretold this trend for colours that would boost relaxation and calm, creating intimate spaces that you feel like you can re-charge in.  A haven from the world and the craziness going on outside.  It is also no surprise that part of this trend is the emphasis on health and eco conscious sourcing for the products and furnishings in our homes.  More and more companies are producing environmentally friendly, organic products which also enhance the health and wellbeing of the home.  We are spending so much time in our homes and health is at the top of our consciousness, it is no surprise that the trend is leaning that way.    

To create a successful neutral design, texture is the main tool.  Whether that is different textural fabrics, jute woven rugs and plaster lamps these layers of different textures and tones build up the simplistic beauty of the neutral scheme.  Natural materials such as rattan furniture, stone coffee tables and raw wooden tables with their own grains and living marks also add another dimension and compliment the soft tones on walls and fabrics.  To increase the texture even further, simple wall panelling and decorative mouldings can be used.  And finally choosing interesting shapes to sit against the neutral background creates understated style and elegance.  A carefully sourced Midcentury wall light in patinated brass or a curvaceous Kagan sofa will look beautiful and timeless in these restful spaces.

If you’ve found this advice useful, and you’d like to see more of our style. Please visit our portfolio page to see more of our work.  

Or alternatively, please get in touch – we’d love to discuss how Wilding and Wolfe can support you.