Some have golden undertones, others are a little cooler with pink or lilac bases, so there are options to suit all kinds of spaces. It’s an excellent alternative to white and grey if you want to create an understated look, and it encompasses a huge range of shades – everything from pale creams and taupes to richer camel, honey and sand hues. ‘LADY 7637 Exhale’ by Jotun (shown in the first image above)īeige is often considered a bland, uninspired choice, but it needn’t be. They work especially well in spaces such as bedrooms and bathrooms, where relaxation is key.ġ. If you want something particularly soothing, look for grey- or blue-based greens with cool undertones – delicate minty pastels and soft sage greens are good bets. It’s perhaps no surprise that Dulux has chosen ‘Tranquil Dawn’, a beautiful pale green inspired by the morning sky, as its ‘Colour of the Year’ for 2020. It provides a physical connection to the natural world and gives interiors a sense of balance and harmony it’s even been proven to aid our health and wellbeing, with research suggesting that it reduces stress and helps hospital patients recover more quickly. Green is one of the most calming options around thanks to its association with nature – it’s the colour of rolling fields, dense forests and soaring mountains. ‘Plaster V’ by Paint & Paper Library | 5. ‘Sulking Room Pink’ by Farrow & Ball (shown in the second image above) | 3. ‘Plaster III’ by Paint & Paper Library | 2. They’re warming and calming at the same time, and they look fantastic against grey, beige and white, as well as pale wooden furniture. They also work brilliantly with darker colours like rust red, deep blue and forest green if you want to create a bit more impact.ġ. I’m not talking about bright fuschia pink, but more muted, sophisticated shades – blush pink, romantic rose pink, pale powder pink.
Pink is an incredibly versatile colour, and its popularity means it’s become something of a neutral in its own right. Always do a test patch, and watch how the colour changes from morning to afternoon to evening before making a final decision. For each, I’ve included a couple of photos to show how it can be used in real-life settings, and I’ve picked out some example shades from my favourite paint brands to get you started.īut first, a little disclaimer: remember that light can have a huge impact on colour, and the same shade can look very different in different spaces and at different times of day. So, I’ve rounded up eight ideas below, ranging from pale pink and green to darker colours such as burgundy and chocolate brown. But soothing, understated interiors don’t rule out using colour, and there are plenty of options if you want to inject a bit of interest while still keeping things fairly muted. If, like me, you want your home to be a calming sanctuary, then you’re probably drawn towards neutral walls in grey and white.