Many homeowners lean toward neutral décor for the sense of tranquility, timelessness, and class it brings to a home. That said, it’s easy to feel bored when you spend all your time in a neutral space—especially when we’ve been social distancing at home for so long. If I start feeling restless in my house, I know it’s time to experiment with the décor. Make your room a little brighter with my best tips for how to liven up a neutral space in your home.
Make That Accent Wall
One of the dangers of a neutral room is that you risk all the details blending together. An accent wall can attract the eye and make a room stand out. Of course, if you go too crazy, you’ll no longer have a neutral space. However, there are still plenty of ways to make part of the room pop. A new wall color adds a lot of personalities, and you can stick to neutral variants like grays or creams. Alternatively, you can give the wall a unique texture by adding wooden wall planks. If y’all don’t want to change the whole wall, consider adding a piece of art to draw the eye and add even more personality to the room.
Pattern, Texture, Character
One of my favorite ways to break up a neutral space is with a good pattern. While you don’t want to go overboard, a couple of matching throw pillows, a fun rug, or eye-catching drapes can add a lot of style to your room. If patterns aren’t your thing, y’all can experiment with textures instead. For example, a thick, soft rug looks great in front of a sleek sofa. Try to create a texture balance throughout the room: offset shiny with matte, coarse with smooth, and so on. If everything starts to feel monotone, add furniture or wall décor that brings some character to the space.
Pick One Color—and Stick With It
When experimenting with how to liven up a neutral space in your home, remember the golden rule: add a pop of color (and don’t worry—the color doesn’t have to be gold). From the bold and bright to the serious and classy, picking a color to incorporate with your neutral décor helps keep the room interesting. While I recommend sticking with just one color, you don’t have to limit it to one piece. If your standout item is a green chair, try adding pillows, art, or shelf decorations with a touch of green to match. Your big piece will still be the highlight of the room, but the smaller accents keep the rest of the space interesting, too.
