There’s a definite trend in home decorating these days that seems to be leaning towards a more neutral palette.
Source: Cote De Texas
White walls, natural fiber rugs, linen-color sofas and chairs and a lot of gray hues…
Source: Country Living
It seems like pops of color in the room are used in the way of accent pillows, small painted furniture pieces and art.
Source: Better Homes and Gardens
I love the trend, if only because it gives you so much flexibility. For a indecisive person like me, a neutral base makes decorating a room easy. It allows me the flexibility to change the look and feel of the room without have to change any of the base (aka expensive) items. Neutral rugs, window treatments, walls and furniture means that I can go bright for spring with accent colors and accessories. It means that I can draw attention to a small furniture piece in a room by painting it a fun and happy color. It means that I can change the look of a room to match the season and holiday if I feel like it.
But color gives a room so much personality.
Source: House Beautiful
You remember rooms with a fantastic print on a couch.
Source: Chinoiserie Chic
Lime-green walls stand out in your memory as opposed to all the neutral ones that blend together (literally) in your brain.
Source: House Beautiful
Where do you fall when it comes to your living room? Color… or not?
Anxious to hear what your readers think! I tend to gravitate towards neutrals too. I would love to be brave enough to do a big bold statement, but I feel like every time I’ve done that I change my mind soon after and am not happy with my decision. So I usually stick with bold things that can easily (and inexpensively) be changed.
I love all the neutral because I too have trouble committing to a style or color scheme. My only issue with an overly neutral palette is I think it’s hard to keep it from looking worn and dirty after a few years of use. Patterns and colors are more forgiving of grimy little fingers. The green on green above is a bit much, but I could commit to the room above with the buffalo check sofa
. I would love a white on white kitchen though but with lots of colorful glassware and ceramics.
I noticed that the most recent issue of Country Living had a lot of all-white interiors. I respond to neutrals when I see them online or in mags, but I love color. In my home, I have a lot of neutral walls but pops of color and pattern on upholstery and case goods. I’m definitely not an all-white room person.
Bold is beautiful but is in your face so I tire of it quickly. I have always tended towards neutrals but with soft color mixed in. Like you said, color in accessories makes it easy to change on a whim or for the seasons and less expensive. In today’s economy that’s so important.
I’m having this same debate right now for my living room. I have neutral walls, trim, and big stuff like our sectional and big chairs, but I love pops of color. I’m thinking that I’m going to keep the walls neutral, but paint the back of the bookcases with a bold color.