Dear Cortney,
Thanks for your question.
This is a great topic as I’m sure a lot of people find themselves in the same boat. That is, a beige boat with a beige deck and beige seats. The neutral zone is a comforting place for people. We are creatures of habit, we go with what’s familiar to us.
We love Mother Nature and Mother Nature is all about the basics: simple tones and soft hues. The good news is your colours don’t equal ‘blah’. They are just the beginning of great things to come.
Think of your space like a painting. First you have to choose the colours that will set the tone. The background colours are often neutral. You’re off to a good start – so far you’ve played it safe and it’s easy to build on a neutral palette.
The stronger colours in a painting are usually featured in the foreground, and the stronger the colour, the more attention it draws. The same principles apply to your room. To punch things up a little, layer some stronger colours atop of your existing neutral base.
Keep in mind that strong doesn’t necessarily have to mean bright. They could just be deeper shades of existing colours, like a chocolate brown to contrast with the beige, or a white to pop against the grey.
So much of our inspiration for interior décor comes from the wonderful world of fashion. With clothing, we often wear basic colours and then spruce up our outfits with accessories.
The same idea translates into design and décor. Add some pizzazz to a room by adding a colourful chair. If you are afraid of colour, try adding a funky patterned fabric in a more quiet colour, for example, do a bold stripe but in grey and white, or an Ikat pattern in taupes and browns. It doesn’t have to be an occasional chair in the living room either – we just created the most gorgeous dining room by adding orange dining chairs to a simple wood and glass dining table. Add a bright desk chair to liven up an office, or upholster a rocker for a nursery in a beautiful shade of blue or yellow.
It’s easy to add a pop of colour to a room without changing your furniture. Toss cushions and luxurious throws are a simple way to liven things up. You can change them up at any time for a fresh new look – do some bright florals in the spring or summer, and switch them out with a warmer colour when the temperature starts to dip! Window treatment is another great way to do this. Try using a punchy fabric for drapery panels. It’s amazing the difference this can make in a room. If you’re worried that this could be a little too bold of a look for you, stick to a solid fabric, but add a stripe of coloured banding in a complimentary colour, or, try adding a tinted sheer to your existing window treatments. Even this subtle hint of colour will add interest to an otherwise neutral space.

Other simple ways to introduce colour and add drama is through your art and smaller accessories. Hang some paintings or photographs with colours that you love. Create a gallery wall with funky frames. Art shouldn’t be limited to the wall sculpture and pottery count too. Repeat the colours of the accessories throughout your space with flowers or a plant. Stack some beautifully bound books on your shelves or coffee table and add an area rug with some pattern and punch.
A rich combination of texture, pattern and colour is sure to liven up your neutrals!