Timeless Neutral Open-Plan Living Room Ideas That You'll Love

Think a neutral colour palette is boring? Think again.

Wondering which colour scheme to choose for your open-plan living room? There's a lot to choose from, but a neutral colour palette is all you need to set the tone for a stylish space. Not only does a neutral palette soothe the eye and signify easy elegance, but it can also stand the test of time. In fact, over the last several years, neutral tones have been a dominant trend, due to the surge in popularity of muted home décor, courtesy to reality TV star Kim Kardashian's minimalist home and millennials' obsession with neutral-toned furnishings.

If you like the concept of a neutral open-plan living room, be inspired by these homes, which show that sometimes basic is best!

1. A living-plan living room with calming shades of white and grey

If you’re a fan of monochromatic colour schemes, take design inspiration from this open-plan living room designed by The Grid Studio. The entire space exudes a sense of simplicity and sophistication through the generous use of white and grey.

Walls, ceilings, and floors adorned in shades of white cleverly complement various materials and curves, adding depth to the overall space. Meanwhile, the light grey plaster walls that help to divide the different areas within the space effortlessly brighten every corner, evoking a more modern feel. The overall white and grey hues create less contrast to distract the eye, making the space very visually appealing and as if you’re being enveloped in a big hug.

2. A cosy open-plan living room with various types of neutrals

Instead of going completely monochrome, you can also consider opting for a variety of neutrals. We love how Anwill Design designed this living room with a mix of neutrals such as off-white, grey, and wood tones to create a space that is warm and inviting.

The designer also introduced a few potted plants to brighten up the space and add just the right amount of colour. If you don't trust yourself to keep a live plant thriving, you can replicate this setup with a faux alternative.

3. A dramatic, dark, neutral-tone open-plan living room

A neutral living room isn’t limited to soft pale tones; it can also include darker hues. In fact, using a dark neutral palette is a clever way to create an edgy, modern vibe in a room. To avoid the space appearing cold and uninviting, introduce a bit of contrast through furniture or decor accents.

Draw inspiration from this living room design by The Roof Studio, where rich, deep shades of grey and black envelop the entire space, creating a dramatic and sophisticated ambiance. The pared-back aesthetic allows the gorgeous tan leather armchair to take centre stage.

4. A grounded neutral-toned living room with a mix of shapes

To keep your neutral scheme from looking flat and one dimensional, experiment with shapes. In this serene living room designed by Doubble Interior Associates, despite predominantly featuring white and light wooden tones, the home exudes a modern and luxe feel due to the repetition of soft curvy silhouettes in the furniture and the built-ins. Minimalist decor displayed on the open shelves helps to complete the overall elegant aesthetic.

Moreover, soft blankets and plush throw pillows lend a homey feel to the space, making it a cosy place to rest, laze, or binge-watch TV series.

5. A neutral-toned open plan living space with a mix of patterns

This condo is a beautiful example of how a pared-back, neutral scheme can still feel warm and layered using various textures and patterns. A sage-green wall lifts up the brown furnishings and built-ins, while the lime wash paint subtly introduces patterned accents without compromising the neutral aesthetic.

In addition to the feature walls, the neutral-toned living room exudes opulence and modernity due to the abundance of textures and patterns created by the wide array of surfaces and finishes in this living room. For instance, the herringbone-patterned floor harmonises seamlessly with the design of the built-in console table, which helps to tie the space together.

6. Neutral-tone open plan-living room with navy blue accents

Neutral living rooms don’t have to be devoid of colour; it's all about carefully choosing pieces that will complement your space.

Take design inspiration from this condo, where Pocket Square predominantly used grey, cream and brown for the built-ins furnishings, walls, and floors. But the navy blue tone features walls and blankets serve as pop of vibrancy to the space.

7. Neutral-toned open-plan living room with modern classic design

If you love a neo-classical look, neutrals are a great way to go. The trick is to apply one neutral colour in large doses for a restful effect.

A case in point is this modern classic living room by IQI Concept, where the designer used varying shades of cream to cover the walls, ceiling, sofa, and window treatments, enveloping the room in cosiness and warmth. To prevent the room from feeling monotonous, the designer introduced wall panelling on the feature walls, cleverly doubling as concealed storage, thereby adding visual intrigue to the space.

Neutral homes are more up your alley?

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