What neutral colours will suit my home?

Knowing what neutral colours will suit your home is partly about your preferences and partly about the pieces you are working with. At Raft, we specialise in a neutral palette, welcoming all natural shades from soft off-whites, to warm beiges and cool greys. We champion an aesthetic that is organic and timeless.

The reason this is important to us is that we want to cultivate an environment that is calming and serene. We encourage slow living and thoughtful interior design and we believe this is best achieved through colour schemes that give people space for creativity. When you are given a blank canvas, it is your opportunity to use it as your playground. Keep reading to learn how we make neutrals exciting, year after year. Timeless living, brought to you by the experts.

How to style neutral interiors

Styling neutral interiors is all about incorporating depth and dimension through texture, varied shapes and lighting. If neutral colours are the theme of your interior design project, create a moodboard to ensure your space will still have character. 

Use natural materials

The first thing that is important when styling neutral interiors is using natural materials. We don't believe in using neutrals just for the sake of it. Our ethos is centred around caring for the planet and cultivating the calming feeling in the home that is exuded by nature. Therefore, start with some wood to offer your space warmth and a strong foundation. At Raft, reclaimed teak is the basis for all of our room set-ups. It is timeless, durable and each piece of reclaimed teak furniture is unique. We love that it has already endured a journey, with each piece holding its own story. For this reason, intrigue is already added to your room, disproving the 'boring neutrals' argument.

Play with texture

In order to avoid your room appearing uninspired and flat, you need to introduce texture. This is essential, whether you're sporting a colourful or neutral palette. However, it's easier to do so with neutrals as you don't have to worry about overwhelming the space. Think smooth, glossy textures (such as glass and marble). Heavy, nubbby materials (such as bouclé). Soft, luxurious velvets and solid pieces made from hardwood. Through combining these textures, you'll give a room depth and prevent a one-dimensional aesthetic that feels as if it can't be lived in. 

Combine different neutral colours 

By virtue of neutral colours being inspired by nature, there are so many options out there! Choose a branch of neutrals and mix and match them by layering different tones and shades. Add depth with charcoal, rich browns and deep terracottas and then pare it back with soft and buttery pale colours. A perfect example of where this can be executed is in the bedroom. 

Above is a Raft bedroom set-up that demonstrates the beauty of neutrals. The power of combining a variety of neutral colours, balancing the cool silver-grey of the Newport Bed and rug with the warmth of the pink plaster walls, rattan chair and teak storage furniture, is timeless. 

6 benefits of having neutral interiors

Implementing a neutral colour scheme in our showrooms is a no-brainer as it allows us to present our customers with a canvas of opportunity. We want you to feel calm, inspired and comfortable in the spaces that we create. However, we believe that this mentality extends to the home. There are ample benefits to having neutral interiors in your home but these 5 are the core pillars that support this decision for us. 

1. Timelessness
2. You can play with texture without overhwhelming the space 
3. You can use sustainable materials
4. You can achieve an organic aesthetic
5. A neutral canvas is the perfect place to experiment with quirky and/or colourful décor
6. Neutral interiors are calming 

What is your neutral colour of choice?

In order to strike a balance between soothing and stimulating style, you need to find neutral tones that speak to you. Are you more drawn to warm beige shades or cool greys? Or, do you lean towards off-white or even creamy tones? Whatever your preference, explore the understanding undertones colour wheel and choose the perfect complementary shades, in both colour and neutrals. This colour wheel was made by colour expert Maria Killim. 

However, don't forget the number one rule in interior design: make sure you love it. Enquire about our Interior Design service by emailing tamara@raftfurniture.co.uk.