Ever wondered how to create a timeless design in your rental that ensures relaxation of the senses while still looking stylish, regardless of current trends? Have you ever asked yourself why you feel completely relaxed more easily in a simple environment with natural colors and materials around? It’s widely known that colors have a significant effect on our mood and well-being. Neutrals can ensure a restful, tranquil and inviting environment. They are also extremely versatile and easy to incorporate into various design styles, from modern and minimalist to rustic and traditional. Let’s find out together how you can easily create a relaxing, welcoming atmosphere in your rental to provide total relaxation and comfort for your guests.
Which Colors Are Considered Neutral?
Neutral colors include beige, taupe, gray, cream, brown, black, and white. Pure neutrals are fully saturated and do not have undertones. The pure neutral color palette includes black, white, brown, and gray. When these pure neutrals are mixed with primary colors—red, yellow, or blue— they form near-neutrals. For example, blending pure neutral brown with primary yellow produces the near-neutral color, tan. Additionally, we can categorize neutrals into warm and cool neutrals. Warm neutrals are made by mixing a pure neutral with warm colors like orange, yellow or red. On the other hand, cool neutrals are created by blending pure neutrals with cool primary colors like blue, green, or purple.
The Influence of the Neutral Colors on Mood
When choosing a color palette, it’s important to prioritize the emotional impact it will have on those who experience it. As rental hosts, our goal is to provide a warm, welcoming, and homey environment for our guests, helping them escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Neutral colors, which softly connect us to nature, have a profoundly calming effect, creating a cozy setting and reducing stress. Incorporating neutral tones throughout your space promotes a sense of peace and harmony—something most of us crave during a getaway.
The most important factor when choosing the color palette for your place should be its ability to evoke overall positive emotions without overstimulating our already overtaxed minds and senses.
How to Work with Neutrals
Choosing neutrals when designing or decorating your rental goes beyond just aesthetics. It’s about creating a space that feels restorative and balanced, helping guests unwind and reflect. Neutral interior design adds simplicity and clarity to your rental, combined with a touch of elegance. Let’s explore how to seamlessly incorporate neutrals into your Airbnb to achieve the best results.
Brighten up your Rental Place
A light neutral wall color acts as a blank canvas, offering endless possibilities for your design. When selecting a wall color, consider how the room’s lighting influences the perception of color. Factors like the season, the sun’s position, and the room’s orientation can significantly affect the lighting and alter how colors appear. For instance, northern light creates a cooler, blue tint, while eastern or western light casts a warmer glow. Even white paint varies in shades and can look different depending on the natural lighting. Adding textured paneling or subtle trims can bring depth and character without overwhelming the senses. Explore shades of white or beige for a calm backdrop, striking the perfect balance between simplicity and sophistication.
Play with Texture and Layers
One of the key elements in decorating with neutrals is incorporating various textures to bring the room to life. Texture adds visual interest and engages the sense of touch. By blending different textures and shades, you can create depth and warmth in rooms that might otherwise feel flat or uninspiring.
Personally, I love using diverse textures in my design projects. For example, a woven natural fiber rug can beautifully complement wooden flooring, while woven baskets provide an attractive contrast in a room filled with white furniture. Try adding soft velvet throw pillows for a luxurious touch. A cozy chunky-knit throw draped over a smooth leather sofa can create a cozy atmosphere, while linen curtains can add a relaxed, airy vibe. Mixing different materials and finishes—like smooth marble, rustic pottery vases, soft textured bed covers, or metal table lamps—generates even more tactile and visual interest.
Adding a Pop of Colour
Incorporating a pop of color into a neutral room can truly liven up the space and break the monotony of a monochromatic ambiance. It can be as simple as adding a vase of vibrant flowers or creating a focal point with a colorful armchair. Introduce color through accessories like throw pillows, artwork, or curtains. Using accessories to introduce color also allows for easy updates, making it simple to change the room’s style and décor to match different seasons. As the seasons pass or your tastes change, you can swap out these accessories to refresh the room and give it a brand-new feel.
Balancing Neutrals with Natural Elements:
In today’s fast-paced world, maintaining a connection with nature helps us slow down and find peace. Incorporating natural and organic elements into interior design is not only visually appealing but also promotes a sense of tranquility and connection to the earth. Neutral colors pair beautifully with natural materials like wood, stone, woven baskets, and indoor plants.
Personally, I prefer using genuine wood in furniture pieces and love pairing it with metal or glass for a modern touch. If you’re a fan of rattan, there are numerous ways to incorporate it into your rental’s decor for a cozy, rustic feel. Besides woven baskets, consider rattan lampshades, plant pots, or even armchairs to add texture.
Another natural material often used in interior design is stone. In Dalmatia, for example, exposed stone walls are a striking and effective decorative element in traditional stone houses. When working with natural materials, achieving balance is essential. Overusing one element can overwhelm the others, so integrate them thoughtfully to create a harmonious and cohesive atmosphere.
Creating Contrast and Depth
Working with neutral colors is like starting with a blank canvas that you can bring to life with your creativity and personal taste. By choosing pieces that reflect your personality, you can bring warmth and character into the space. Begin with a light base and gradually introduce darker shades to add dimension. For a striking effect, consider incorporating black accents in the form of artwork or architectural elements.
How I used styling elements in my rental bedroom
When I designed our apartment’s bedroom, I chose white wooden furniture as a base, paired with oak-colored flooring that provided a decorative contrast to the light-colored pieces. To further enhance the room’s texture and depth, I added woven baskets, a rattan-framed mirror, and a rattan armchair. The black wrought iron stair railing provided a dramatic accent, which I balanced with black metal-and-glass bedside lamps and black-framed wall art. To complete the look, I added a rustic, textured cotton bed cover in dark beige, along with a matching throw pillow for the armchair. The combination of these elements creates a calm feeling, giving the room a cohesive, cozy vibe.
By thoughtfully using neutral tones, natural elements, and textures, you can create a serene and stylish retreat that resonates with guests long after their stay. Whether you’re redesigning a room or updating small accents, the power of a well-balanced neutral palette is in its timeless elegance and universal appeal. Remember, it’s not just about following trends, but about creating an atmosphere that offers comfort, relaxation, and a memorable experience. Take the leap, experiment with your space, and watch your rental transform into the perfect haven for your guests!
I’d love to hear your thoughts! Do you have any ideas or tips for using neutral colors in your space? Feel free to share your experiences and join the conversation in the comments below!
Curious to see how I redesigned my Airbnb? Click here to check out my Before and After: My Airbnb Redesign Journey!
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