Wake It Up | The Neutral Space
While pops of color in paint and tile application is very much on-trend, many homeowners are nervous about making such a commitment in their space. The idea of re-design and the cost of it, not to mention the effort involved, is something that many people shy away from. So, they choose to go for color selections that are neutral and classic and will last rather than a bold color in a big way that will need to be updated in a couple of years. And there's nothing wrong with it. We understand that reasoning. But too much neutral can make a space boring and lack-luster, so even if you go to all the time and money to re-do it, it can still feel unfinished. Which is why it's important to wake up a neutral space. There are different ways to do it so after we review them all, figure out which works best for your budget and home and go from there!
Neutral-on-neutral can work when it's done right and one of the few ways to do it right without bringing in color is by incorporating textures. Layering textures in neutrals is what brings depth to the space. Mix up the fabric type, sheen, and weave. And be sure not to limit yourself to the exact same color. A room full of neutrals may have 5 or 6 different shades of the same neutral just in varying darker or lighter tones. It's important to have a little variation so that some visual movement is created. If not, the room will appear dull and lifeless. Depth and dimension wake it up!
Commit to one pop of color. Even if you're terrified of color, force yourself to add at least one pop of it somewhere. Maybe this is in an art piece or a table centerpiece....a couple of toss pillows. Just something! And if you really don't want to incorporate something too far off base, make the pop of color either blue or green. We consider blue a neutral so it can actually flow really well in a neutral space by creating a grounding color that doesn't overwhelm. Green is the same way. If you're going to incorporate green, use greenery. Something organic like plants will still balance out the space by bringing in color but it won't completely dictate the color direction should you want to add something in the future.
Use hard surfaces. If you're having a hard time creating depth using fabric and different textiles, try it by mixing up the hard surfaces. Metals and distressed woods are a great way to bring in depth. Mix up light and dark woods and glossy and dull finishes. All of these things catch light different ways, feel different to the touch and create a unique essence in a space. Don't be scared to add things like this because they'll make your neutral space go far!
Finally, don't skimp on accessories and lighting. When you have a neutral space, you have a blank canvas to display art and sculpture. If you're not going to bring in pops of color as the focal point, at least bring in some cool accessories and fun lighting to liven things up. Accessories can easily be swapped out so they're not a big commitment and lighting is vital to creating a warm, welcoming, finished space. Every little bit matters so don't forget the end goal of a beautiful space!
