True neutral colors don't appear on the color wheel.
True neutral colors are any combination of white, black and gray. While brown is not strictly a neutral color, designers often include it in the neutral family. Neutral color palettes don't appear on the color wheel and generally serve as a backdrop for more-vibrant colors. When decorating the bedroom, consider using neutral colors as a base and subtly blending other colors, textures and patterns to create bedroom decor that fits any home.
White
White walls in a bedroom enhance natural light.
White paint and fabric generally comes with some kind of subtle tint---usually cool blue or warm yellow, notes Dream Home Decorating. The clean, open feeling of white makes it an ideal choice for the bedroom, especially when the decorator wants to create a serene, peaceful environment. Natural light is reflected off of white paint, making any room seem more vibrant and brilliant. White paint is especially good for small bedrooms because white walls and ceilings appear to recede, making the room look bigger. White works in any color scheme, such as with sunny yellow and orange for a friendly and inviting bedroom or with cool blue or violet for a peaceful sanctuary.
Black
Black in the bedroom can be anything but gloomy.
A bedroom with all walls painted black is generally not a good idea. Black absorbs light and the association with this color on the walls is generally negative. That doesn't mean that black has no place in the bedroom---a black accent wall can harmonize quite well with white, beige or gray walls, according to Good Housekeeping. Black paint on architectural features such as recessed bookshelves, a fireplace surround or a bay window can bring contrast to an otherwise dull, neutral room. Black paint combined with metallic accents gives a bedroom a modern style.
Gray
Shades of gray contrast with one another as well as other neutrals.
Gray has a range of hues that provide plenty of options for a bedroom color palette. From dove gray to dark charcoal, a neutral gray palette sets off other colors well, notes Dream Home Decorating. Try contrasting it with variations of red or yellow---the gray won't provide as much contrast and will downplay the burst of color, according to Good Housekeeping. A blue-gray that resembles gun metal combines beautifully with rich dark brown and gold accents.
Brown
Use all the shades of brown for a warm, neutral bedroom.
Choose dark details in brown to give the bedroom a rich, luxurious feeling. Chocolate-colored walls contrast nicely with lighter linens and flooring. If the walls are too dark, consider adding a tan wainscoting about halfway up, then painting the rest of the walls dark brown, advises Good Housekeeping. In contrast, a cream or beige wall paint best sets off a variety of other colors, such as green, blue or orange. Brown wall paint will lend a cozy, classy feel to any bedroom, notes Dream Home Decorating, and is considered the warmest of the neutral and near-neutral options.
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