How to: decorate with muted colours

Decorating with muted colours is all about soft neutrals for a gentle, sophisticated palate. Popular neutral colour schemes involve pale greys, blush pink, dusty pale greens and blues, light camel and smokey peach. Team them with each other, or match with neutrals if you don’t want to go the whole hog. To complete the decor, use blonde timber, linen, velvet and lots of natural texture such as hessian.

Muted colours for walls

If your decor is currently fairly neutral, painting a room is a quick way of getting the look without changing your accessories too much.

Eccleston Pink, Mylands Paints

This warm, deep Eccleston pink in an eco-friendly formulation is a must-have colour for the new season, and is available as emulsion, wood and metal paint, masonry paint or floor paint. Prices start at £23, available from Mylands Paints. 

Light blue no. 22, Farrow & Ball

This silvery blue was so named because it was the lightest blue Farrow & Ball made in its first collection of colours. Light Blue becomes a little more silver in tone when used in shaded areas so is very popular for use on the walls of internal halls, especially when the remainder of the house is painted in cooler, more neutral greys. Available in a range of finishes, prices start at around £45 from Farrow and Ball.

Soft furnishings in muted colours

Always the easiest way to dip a toe into a trend, cushions and throws will help to liven up a plain sofa or chair. Give soft styles a contemporary twist by changing to blinds over curtains, such as these blinds in French Stripe brushed cotton from Loaf (main image).

Arabella taupe velvet pompom cushion, Ragged Rose

Add some glamour and texture with this pretty cushion, made from 100% cotton velvet pile, perfect for any living space. The finishing touches are the delicate pom pom trims around all sides of the cushion. £33, available from Ragged Rose. 

Merino lambswool throw, Bronte by Moon

This versatile merino lambswool blanket in grey Prince of Wales check is made at Bronte’s mill in Guiseley, West Yorkshire. Drape the throw over the back of a sofa, ready to snuggle under for an afternoon nap, or pile on a bed with cushions. £80, available from Cotswold Trading.

Muted colour floors

A muted colour scheme looks best with a neutral carpet, or stripped or painted floorboards. Accessorise with a rug or two.

Mono rug in pale turquoise, Pappelino

This hand woven rug made by Swedish company Pappelina is produced from durable soft plastic using traditional Swedish weaving techniques, making it an ideal choice for a high traffic area such as a hallway. Prices start at £70, available from Printer and Tailor.

Lexington pink/ivory rug, Dash and Albert

This combo of pink and natural stripes will go anywhere, from the kids’ bedroom to the porch, laundry room, or even bathroom. It’s made from woven PET, which is non-chemically-treated, recycled polyester that looks and feels like wool and is as earth-friendly as it is practical. Prices start at around £70 from Dash and Albert.

Muted colour lighting

The right lighting is always essential for any look. Using soft, muted shades will create an intimate glow, ideal for mood lighting.

Abode Living, small velvet shade in turquoise

Suitable for a smaller/thinner table lamp base, this velvet shade comes in a pale shade of turquoise, perfect for adding a muted glow to dark corners. £23, available from Abode Living. 

Alhambra ceiling pendant in ivory, Atkin and Thyme

East meets west with the Alhambra contemporary ceiling pendant in Ivory. Made from powder-coated iron, it’s complemented with exotic mango wood and braided fabric flex. £99, available from Atkin and Thyme.

Accessorise your new look with tall, pale glass vases and candles in smoky glass holders for a finishing touch.

By Sara Walker.