35 Best Neutral Paint Colors For A Relaxing Home

Neutral colors might seem boring, but they actually add a subtle nuance to your room, allowing you to be creative with the rest of your décor. If you are looking to establish a relaxing ambiance in your home, neutral paint colors are the first step. But don't think you have to stick with whites, grays, and beiges. There are plenty of neutral colors, allowing you to have a different one in every room. "Most people don't really consider neutrals to be anything beyond just beige. There are so many different ways to use neutral colors in a home — and certain hues of most colors can be considered a neutral," Lorna Aragon, Martha Stewart Living's home editor, told Martha Stewart.

When looking at swatches, one thing to remember is that paint colors have undertones; they can be warm or cool. Warm undertones will be orange or yellow, which creates a cozy atmosphere, whereas cooler undertones are blue or green and are more soothing, per Sherwin-Williams. That being said, they can all be neutral. To that end, we combed the internet and came up with 35 neutral colors to help you create a relaxing home.  

If you like taupe but don't want to go too dark, look for a medium shade that allows you the freedom to decorate with any color scheme.  It will act as a calm backdrop to your decor. 

Tan is another one of those paint colors that has several shades with subtle differences. Most tan colors are warm with yellow or gray undertones. 

Beige might sound boring, but it's far from it. The light, warm beige color in this room has golden undertones, and will go with just about any color. 

Somewhere between tan and white, cream is another relaxing color that works beautifully to create a soothing atmosphere in any room.

Cool white might sound sterile, but its cool blue undertones are soothing and work well with just about any color.

Shades of off-white generally have tan undertones, creating a softer ambiance. It is warmer than a bright white, which works to make a room feel calm.  

Like any other color, you can find various shades of ivory. Dark ivory is classic and soothing, and you can use it anywhere.

Stone shades are darker than most grey or tan hues, and they work with just about any color scheme out there.  

Greige is a blend of gray and beige, and while that might not sound too exciting for a room color, it actually makes an ideal color for relaxing rooms because it's comfortable.

Warm and cozy, hazelnut is a soft shade of brown with orange undertones. Inviting and soothing, this paint color goes well with a variety of palettes.

If you're looking for a bright color that is relaxing, eggshell blue might be just what you're looking for. A combination of light blue and green, eggshell blue has just a hint of color.

Slightly darker than pale blue, blue-green shades create a different mood. Choose a subdued shade to keep the overall tone of the room calming. 

Green is invigorating, but pale green is a calming color that also adds richness to any room. Like the greens in nature, it is tranquil without being too loud.  

If you like green, olive green is muted enough to be considered neutral. It works well with plenty of colors and decorating styles. 

Salmon walls are chic and soothing. Slightly darker and warmer than peach, salmon pairs well with teal, white, brown, and tan.

It might not seem like it, but a light shade of mauve can be very relaxing. Use it with similar shades to create a welcoming retreat.

Champagne is another blush shade that has different tones. It tends to look like a pale blend of pink and beige, which makes it versatile and calming.