How to use colour in a neutral room (without it looking tacky)
As a maximalist interior designer, I believe that colour offers a vibrant home transformation that neutrals simply can't match!
If you’re uninspired by white walls but are feeling a little apprehensive about the change, here is how I would recommend introducing colour while keeping your home feeling curated and personal.
We often default to beige or cream when it comes to the base colour for our homes because colour feels so daunting. We’re afraid of it looking ‘too much’ or, heaven forbid, a bit tacky!
But the truth is, when it’s chosen carefully and used with intention, colour will transform a space. Colour can wrap you up in gorgeous, feel-good vibes in a way neutrals alone just can’t.
If you’re currently uninspired by your existing white walls but are feeling a little apprehensive to paint them, here is how I would recommend you can introduce colour while keeping your home feeling beautifully curated, cosy and personal!
Ask yourself this question first
Before you start considering a colour, it’s important to ask yourself this. How do you live in this space?
You need to consider the energy you crave in this room. A neutral room often feels flat, so to add colour without it looking like an afterthought, think about what the colour needs to bring.
Do you need warmth? Cosiness? Calm? Do you need mood-boosting home interiors for a home office? Or a bold palette interior design for a social dining room that offers a little spark of joy every time you walk in?
The ‘tacky’ look usually happens when the colour's energy clashes with the room's purpose. If you match the mood first, the rest can follow.
Look for inspiration
Think of a space drenched in beautiful colour, like a restaurant with wallpaper you notice before the wine list. Use those unexpected places you visit for bursts of gorgeous inspiration that feels you.
Texture is your secret weapon
If you're nervous about a bright colour looking cheap, bring it in through texture. A flat, glossy red might feel garish, but a deep burgundy in velvet or a chunky knit can feel expensive and rich. Texture softens the impact of colour and makes it feel lived-in. By focusing on furniture sourcing and high-end sustainable fabrics, we can achieve a high-contrast interior that feels cozy, curated and bespoke.
Don’t disregard neutrals entirely
They have their place! Neutrals are the breathing space that allow your colours to sing. By pairing a vibrant shade with a neutral, you ground the palette. They help balance a colourful scheme in paint, accessories and furniture. But, if you want a home that feels alive, layered and completely fabulous…colour is definitely the secret ingredient.
Ultimately, your home should be a reflection of your personality, not designed through fear of making a mistake.
Use colour as your tool to add depth, warmth and that spark of joy you’ve been missing. Don’t just settle for a house that could be anyone’s, but one that feels like you.