Our Top Tips for Neutral Schemes

Neutrals may be many things – delicate or intense, warm or cool, soothing or striking – but with our top tips for using neutral paint colours, they certainly needn’t be complicated. For the ultimate guide to combining your favourite Farrow & Ball neutrals, check out our six Neutral Groups, but if it’s ideas and inspiration for your next space you’re after, you’ve come to the right place.

1. Keep it Simple

Certain spaces call for simplicity, so rather than introducing various shades of grey, white or beige into a single scheme, why not try an ultra-minimalist approach and stick to one hue? The lower the level of contrast between colours used in a room, the less straining the eye has to do when looking at the bigger picture, creating spaces that feel inherently restful. Take your cues from the light, bright Wevet study above, or the soft, diffused feel of this living room with its Ash Grey walls and trim

Soft Focus

Wevet No.273 in Estate Emulsion; Strong White No.2001 in Estate Eggshell

Grey Haven

Ash Grey No.W9 and Snow White No.W1 in Estate Emulsion

2. Warm It Up

Warm neutrals have always had a place in our hearts (and on our colour cards) but they’re having something of a moment right now. Delicate greige, soft taupe, or a more robust grey-brown are all great alternatives to grey. Our sandy neutral, Jitney, shares many of the same charms as cult shade Elephant’s Breath, pairing its soft allure and incredible versatility with an extra dose of warmth – try it with rich, dark Tanner’s BrownOrange Coloured White is another excellent all-rounder, especially paired with Snow White on trim to create an inviting feel.

Golden Hour

Jitney No.293 and Skimming Stone No.241 in Estate Emulsion; Tanner’s Brown No.255 in Estate Eggshell

Peachy Keen

Orange Coloured White No.W5 in Estate Emulsion

3. Add an Accent

Few things bring out the best in a neutral scheme like a single, striking pop of colour. Rather than pulling the focus away from a carefully considered neutral wall colour, a flash of something bold adds balance, structure and personality. In the Pavilion Gray kitchen above, a ceiling-height alcove painted in Calamine highlights well-loved pottery pieces, bringing in a personal touch without disrupting the flow of the room, while the Full Gloss Arsenic doors of this Wevet-painted kitchen make a real statement. 

Hint of Pink

Pavilion Gray No.242 and Calamine No.230 in Modern Emulsion; Pavilion Gray No.242 in Estate Eggshell

Glorious Gloss

Wevet No.273 in Modern Emulsion; Arsenic No.214 in Full Gloss

4. Be Adventurous

When we think of neutrals, we often think of the lighter end of the spectrum – the ivories, beiges, off-whites, taupes and pale greys. But there’s a lot to be gained from jumping in at the deep end, too. We’re thinking intense dark greys and just-off-blacks that, rather than feeling claustrophobic, can blur the boundaries of a room, creating instant depth and a cocooning feel. Try paring dark shades with a white of equal intensity for a carefully considered look.

Teen Escape

Down Pipe No.26 in Modern Emulsion

Modern Monochrome

Pitch Black No.256 and All White No.2005 in Modern Emulsion