Eight alternatives to grey and white for fans of neutral decor

If, like me, you want your home to be a calming sanctuary, then you’re probably drawn towards neutral walls in grey and white. But soothing, understated interiors don’t rule out using colour, and there are plenty of options if you want to inject a bit of interest while still keeping things fairly muted. So, I’ve rounded up eight ideas below, ranging from pale pink and green to darker colours such as burgundy and chocolate brown. For each, I’ve included a couple of photos to show how it can be used in real-life settings, and I’ve picked out some example shades from my favourite paint brands to get you started.

But first, a little disclaimer: remember that light can have a huge impact on colour, and the same shade can look very different in different spaces and at different times of day. Always do a test patch, and watch how the colour changes from morning to afternoon to evening before making a final decision.

Pink

Pink is an incredibly versatile colour, and its popularity means it’s become something of a neutral in its own right. I’m not talking about bright fuschia pink, but more muted, sophisticated shades – blush pink, romantic rose pink, pale powder pink. They’re warming and calming at the same time, and they look fantastic against grey, beige and white, as well as pale wooden furniture. They also work brilliantly with darker colours like rust red, deep blue and forest green if you want to create a bit more impact.

1. ‘Plaster III’ by Paint & Paper Library | 2. ‘Sulking Room Pink’ by Farrow & Ball (shown in the second image above) | 3. ‘Threadneedle’ by Mylands | 4. ‘Plaster V’ by Paint & Paper Library | 5. ‘Pink Ground’ by Farrow & Ball | 6. ‘Blush’ by Little Greene

Soft green

Green is one of the most calming options around thanks to its association with nature – it’s the colour of rolling fields, dense forests and soaring mountains. It provides a physical connection to the natural world and gives interiors a sense of balance and harmony; it’s even been proven to aid our health and wellbeing, with research suggesting that it reduces stress and helps hospital patients recover more quickly. It’s perhaps no surprise that Dulux has chosen ‘Tranquil Dawn’, a beautiful pale green inspired by the morning sky, as its ‘Colour of the Year’ for 2020. If you want something particularly soothing, look for grey- or blue-based greens with cool undertones – delicate minty pastels and soft sage greens are good bets. They work especially well in spaces such as bedrooms and bathrooms, where relaxation is key.

1. ‘Tranquil Dawn’ by Dulux | 2. ‘Mews Blue’ by Mylands | 3. ‘Fennel 03’ by Bert & May | 4. ‘Glass I’ by Paint & Paper Library | 5. ‘Green Smoke’ by Farrow & Ball | 6. ‘LADY 7637 Exhale’ by Jotun (shown in the first image above)

Beige

Beige is often considered a bland, uninspired choice, but it needn’t be. It’s an excellent alternative to white and grey if you want to create an understated look, and it encompasses a huge range of shades – everything from pale creams and taupes to richer camel, honey and sand hues. Some have golden undertones, others are a little cooler with pink or lilac bases, so there are options to suit all kinds of spaces. Just avoid anything too yellow (particularly if you’re decorating a south-facing room with strong light) if you don’t want to end up with a sickly 1970s magnolia look.

Most beiges work well as a backdrop to wooden furniture and other natural colours and materials, but if you want a sleeker vibe try pairing them with grey and black as shown in the second image above – a room set based around a Crown Paints shade called ‘On the Rocks’, which I created as part of a collaboration with the brand last year.

1. ‘Whitehall’ by Mylands | 2. ‘String’ by Farrow & Ball | 3. ‘Sand III’ by Paint & Paper Library | 4. ‘LADY 11174 Curious Mind’ by Jotun (shown in the first image above) | 5. ‘Beauvais Lilac’ by Little Greene | 6. ‘On the Rocks’ by Crown Paints (shown in the second image above)

Terracotta

An orange-based colour such as terracotta might seem like an odd suggestion for people who veer towards muted interiors, but its earthiness means it works brilliantly if you want something that’s warming yet soothing at the same time. Look for soft shades with peach or brown tones – think the colours of African adobe walls, sun-baked soil and desert landscapes at sunset. They suit rustic spaces particularly well, but as the above photos show they’re a viable option for contemporary and urban settings, too.

1. ‘Tuscan Terracotta’ by Dulux | 2. ‘LADY 20144 Grounded Red’ by Jotun | 3. ‘Leather 01’ by Bert & May | 4. ‘Leather 02’ by Bert & May | 5. ‘LADY 11175 Adventure’ by Jotun (shown in the photos above) | 6. ‘Red Earth’ by Farrow & Ball

Watery blue

Another colour with strong links to the natural world, blue is both calming and uplifting; it’s also a timeless choice, having featured in interiors for centuries and rarely dropping out of fashion. There are lots of muted options, from silvery blues reminiscent of pale winter skies to darker, green- and grey-tinged blues inspired by seas, lakes and rivers. They look fantastic offset by crisp white or striking black accents, or as a backdrop to brown and beige pieces.

Blue is ideal for balancing out strong southern light but it can look cold in north- and east-facing rooms, so choose your shade carefully.

1. ‘Bone China Blue’ by Little Greene | 2. ‘Borrowed Light’ by Farrow & Ball | 3. ‘Navy 01’ by Bert & May | 4. ‘Lambeth Walk’ by Mylands | 5. ‘Between Dog & Wolf’ by Paint & Paper Library | 6. ‘Lead III’ by Paint & Paper Library

Khaki and olive green

I’ve already covered soft, blue- and grey-tinged greens, but brown-based greens such as khaki and olive are also worth considering. They’re ideal if you want something a little warmer and cosier – just steer clear from those with a strong yellow pigment if you want to keep things subtle. They work well with rich wooden furniture, but I particularly love seeing them paired with beige and black as in the beautiful bedroom above.

1. ‘LADY Wonderwall 8546 Local Green’ by Jotun (shown in the first image above) | 2. ‘Forest 04’ by Bert & May | 3. ‘Westmoreland’ by Mylands | 4. ‘Messel’ by Mylands | 5. ‘Lusi’ by Paint & Paper Library | 6. ‘Hornblende’ by Paint & Paper Library

Burgundy

If you want to experiment with darker colours, how about shades of burgundy or plum? You might associate red-based hues with drama and passion, but those at the browner end of the spectrum tend to be more muted. Their earthy undertones create an air of laid-back luxury, adding richness to a space while remaining grounding and reassuring. Embrace it by painting the entire room in the same shade, or pair with swathes of white and beige to keep a hint of airiness.

1. ‘LADY 20142 Daydream’ by Jotun (shown in the images above) | 2. ‘Rothschild Street’ by Mylands | 3. ‘Masai’ by Paint & Paper Library | 4. ‘Adventurer’ by Little Greene | 5. ‘Eating Room Red’ by Farrow & Ball | 6. ‘Plum Brandy’ by Paint & Paper Library

Chocolate brown

Or go darker still with chocolate brown. It’s a colour I saw used to stunning effect at the Copenhagen showroom of Danish brand New Works (shown in the photos above), where it created a very elegant and sophisticated look. Painting a room in such a deep hue might seem like a strong statement, but the results can be surprisingly soft and cocooning – and the fact that shades run the full gamut, from rich red-based ones to cooler ones with grey or green pigment, means you’ll be able to find something to suit most light and settings.

1. ‘English Chocolate’ by Mylands | 2. ‘Heath’ by Paint & Paper Library | 3. ‘Tanner’s Brown’ by Farrow & Ball | 4. ‘London Brown’ by Mylands’ | 5. ‘LADY Pure Color 20145 Wisdom’ by Jotun | 6. ‘Spanish Brown’ by Little Greene

Room photos by Jotun (top); Rikka Kantinkoski for Matri and Farrow & Ball (pink); Jotun and Alvhem (green); Jotun and Max Attenborough for Crown Paints (beige); Jotun (terracotta); Alen Cordic for Bjurfors and Jonas Berg for Stadshem (blue); Jotun and Rikka Kantinkoski for Matri (khaki and olive); Jotun (burgundy); and Abi Dare (chocolate brown).