Home Decor That Should Always Be Neutral

Designers Say These Home Decor Items Should Always Be Neutral

Neutral colored palette living room interior

Not all shades are fair game in every room of the home—interior designers are adamant that some home decor items are better off left neutral in color. If you're planning on purchasing some accent decor or piece of furniture for your home, you'll want to be mindful that bright colors are not always the answer.

Below, designers weigh in to share seven types of home pieces that you should purchase in a neutral hue, not a vibrant one.

Oversized Furniture

You're better off purchasing large furniture pieces including sofas, sectionals, and cabinets in colors that you won't likely tire of in the near future, Amy Switzer, the founder of Amy Switzer Design, says. "Neutral tones or subtle colors are often better for larger furniture items as they can offer versatility and can be easier to complement with brighter decor elements," she explains. Plus, large furniture items in bold hues can easily dominate a space—and not in a good way—the designer notes.

Ashley De Boer, the founder of Ashley De Boer Interiors, expresses similar views.

“These pieces, when selected from the right vendor, can last a lifetime," she says of large furniture items. She explains how a neutral hue will be seen as more timeless.

Flooring

While colorful rugs can add a welcome dose of personality to any space, you'll want to ensure that your actual flooring, be it tile or hardwood, is not a loud shade. Flooring that is neutral or natural in color is most ideal, Switzer says, as this makes it easier to change your space down the line as you desire.

Bathtubs and Toilets

Skip the colorful toilets and bathtubs, Alisa Popelka, the founder of Alisa Cristine Interiors,says. "This would make a design look trendy rather than timeless," she says, referencing the funky colors used in bathrooms of the '70s and '80s.  Can't resist at least a tiny pop of color in the loo? Melissa Griffin, the founder of Indigo Ink Designs, offers a compromise: opting for a neutral sink and countertop but purchasing a vibrant faucet to finish off the look.

"Changing that single piece out in five to seven years won't break the bank if you've changed your taste and style, nor will it have the snowball effect of having to change all other adjacent materials," Griffin says.

Appliances

Don’t buy the red microwave, put that brightly hued aqua blender back on the shelf and select something more subdued instead, Katie Maudsley, the founder of Mave Interior Design Studio, says." Consider getting some more decorative dishware or mugs to display in your kitchen instead," she says. "That way, you can swap things in and out of the cupboards when you want a change."

Patio Furniture

Maudsley also cautions against going bold with patio furniture. "Sometimes it's nice to have something more neutral outside so it's not competing with the plants or gardens surrounding," Maudsley says. In the right locale, such as a tropical or beachy area, bright furniture may be just fine, but in places that are not as warm, it can look out of place. Maudsley suggests bringing in color with a variety of native foliage and flowers instead.If you go the neutral route, you won't need to worry about it not fitting in with the rest of your outdoor space. Beige or off-white shades are reliable and timeless even for years to come.

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