The new neutrals

We embraced the warm neutrals trend by layering contrasting neutrals in this chic living space.

Whether it's a classic white living room or a bedroom bathed in soft taupe, neutral tones have long held their place at the heart of interior design. There’s a reason neutrals never go out of style – they’re the embodiment of simplicity and sophistication. Neutrals are set to get warmer and earthier. Make way for deep velvety neutrals like Resene Quarter Perfect Taupe and Resene Otter.

Neutral-toned rooms are generally associated with a clean aesthetic, but keep in mind neutrality doesn’t necessarily mean blandness. Hues like Resene Quarter Perfect Taupe, Resene Otter and Resene Eighth Rice Cake are incredibly versatile. It’s all about building around your neutral palette and adding plenty of dimension and interest to a space. That’s the greatest strength of neutrals: they allow for maximum flexibility when it comes to accessories and soft furnishings, enabling you to inject both seasonal and personal touches. The greenery of plants, funky ceramic additions and interesting furniture are a must.

We embraced the warm neutrals trend by layering contrasting neutrals in this chic living space. Starting with our walls, Resene Quarter Perfect Taupe offers a gentle, earthy tone that creates a warm and inviting atmosphere. It isn’t a harsh or cold hue, but a great balance of light and soft grey-brown. The shade offers a serene backdrop for the room, while its understated elegance adds a little sophistication. Taupe works exceptionally well in living areas because it doesn’t overwhelm the space, but still brings depth and richness.

We let Resene White shine on the skirting, a crisp and fresh neutral that contrasts with the warmth of our Resene Quarter Perfect Taupe walls. This bright white works to define the boundaries of the room, creating clean lines that visually elevate the space. It’s also an excellent choice for making the room feel more expansive, a key consideration when designing family living spaces where space can sometimes feel limited.

We mixed darker neutral tones to punctuate the room and add a sense of structure for the doors. On the door, Resene Otter’s earthy undertones offer a sophisticated contrast to the lightness of our walls and skirting. Paired with Resene Mondo, a rich mix of green, charcoal and grey, for the door jamb, the combination gives the room a grounded, architectural feel. These dark tones give an elegant balance to the light neutrals and prevent the living room from feeling flat.

For the flooring, we opted for Resene Colorwood Breathe Easy colour wash wood stain, a soft, pale timber tone that complements our neutrals without overpowering them. This shade has a natural warmth that fits seamlessly with the Resene Quarter Perfect Taupe painted walls while maintaining an airy feel. The lightness of the floor helps to balance out the darker tones used elsewhere in the room, creating a bit of cohesion that stops the space from feeling too heavy.

A cream sofa with brown cushions and throws serves as a cosy foundation that aligns perfectly with our room’s neutral palette. The cream acts as a gentle contrast to the darker elements, while the brown cushions add richness and warmth, making the space feel inviting. The addition of throws in complementary tones ties the look together and adds layers of comfort. A rope side table painted in Resene Otter adds a textural element. Its organic design contrasts with our more polished elements in the room.

The coffee table painted in Resene Mondo is another example of using darker neutrals to bring contrast and dimension to the space. The deep grey-green adds sophistication while keeping the overall mood of our room serene. We also added plenty of vases and an art piece for an injection of personality. An ombre vase on the coffee table painted in Resene Eighth Rice Cake, Resene Grey Chateau and Resene Carpe Noctem introduces soft layers of colour. For artwork, a frame in Resene Carpe Noctem contrasts beautifully with the canvas, which mixes deeper tones of Resene Seaweed, Resene Plum and Resene Waterloo.

A mushroom stool painted in Resene Mangrove brings an organic and rounded touch to the room, its sophisticated muddy green hue offering more contrast to our neutrals. The inclusion of greenery – in the form of a small vase with poppies painted in Resene Eighth Rice Cake – adds life and freshness to the space.

The beauty of neutrals lies in their ability to offer balance and contrast. By mixing light and dark hues, you can create a living space that feels inviting and well-rounded. The combination of warmer shades like Resene Quarter Perfect Taupe with darker, more grounding tones like Resene Otter and Resene Mondo allows the room to feel layered without losing its sense of calm. The key to making neutrals work in family rooms is always to layer them thoughtfully; that way you’ll strike the perfect balance between serenity and sophistication.

Colours and products mentioned in this article

Styling by Katrina Hobbs. Photography by Bryce Carleton. 2024