What goes with it, and 3 palettes

Neutral color palettes

A neutral palette is whites, creams, beiges, greiges and browns with no strong color, and it only looks expensive when it is layered. Use three or four neutrals from light to dark, mix textures like linen, wool and wood, and add black in small doses for definition.

#E2D8C8

What colors go with neutral

Warm white #F3EFE6

The base of most neutral rooms: walls and ceilings.

Greige #CFC7BA

A gray-beige that bridges warm and cool neutrals.

Taupe #A39584

A mid-tone neutral for sofas and rugs that hides wear.

Walnut #5C4232

A dark wood gives a neutral room its contrast.

Black #232323

A little black on frames and lamps keeps neutrals from looking washed out.

Sage green #9CAA8C

If you want one color, sage is the one that behaves like a neutral.

Neutral palettes, on real rooms

Hex codes to match against paint and fabric samples. Colors on screens and in daylight never quite agree, so hold a sample up in the room before you commit.

Layered Neutrals

Cream, greige and taupe with dark wood, a calm, classic living room. Pictured: a Traditional living room.

Warm white Walls #F3EFE6
Greige Sofa and armchairs #CFC7BA
Taupe Rug and curtains #A39584
Walnut Wood furniture #5C4232
Black Lamps and frames #232323

Design with this palette

Neutral Bedroom

Ivory walls with linen and taupe, a quiet bedroom with nothing loud in it. Pictured: a Traditional bedroom.

Ivory Walls #F1EBDF
Linen Bedding #DDD3C3
Taupe Curtains and rug #A39584
Walnut Bed and wardrobe #5C4232
Greige Bench and cushions #CFC7BA

Design with this palette

Neutral Kitchen

Cream cabinets with greige and oak, a soft kitchen that never dates. Pictured: a Mediterranean kitchen.

Warm white Walls #F3EFE6
Cream Cabinets #EDE6D6
Greige Backsplash tile #CFC7BA
Light oak Countertop #CDAE82
Bronze Hardware and faucet #7A6247

Design with this palette

How to use a palette

Every palette here is listed from the most of the room to the least. Keep roughly to that order and the colors hold together.

1
Most of the room: the first color

The walls, and often the ceiling. A light, quiet color that everything else sits against.
2
A third: the next two

The big pieces: the sofa, the rug, the wood. They set the mood of the room.
3
A tenth: the last two

Cushions, a lamp, frames, a vase. Small, so a bold accent stays an accent.