20 Neutral Living Room Ideas From HGTV Stars

Neutral isn’t boring. HGTV Stars know a thing or two about mixing textures and tones for the perfect minimal color palette.

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August 03, 2022

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HGTV Stars Love a Neutral Living Room

There's something extra-relaxing about a living room layered in neutral colors and textures. It's simple, yet inviting. It feels brighter and more spacious — though neutral designs can toe the line between cozy-clean and bland. Luckily, we have our favorite HGTV designers to show us how it’s done. Ahead, you'll find the prettiest neutral living rooms designed by HGTV stars, as well as tips on how to recreate the looks in your own space. You’ll never see beige the same way again.

Stick With One Accent Hue

FYI, you can use bold colors in neutral designs. Just check out this contemporary living room look by No Demo Reno host Jenn Todryk. Natural wood finishes and sand-hued stone fireplace make the space feel inviting, while navy, floor-sweeping curtains shine against a muted palette.

see more: Jenn Todryk's Best Designs From Season 2 of 'No Demo Reno'

From: Jennifer Todryk

… Or Two or Three Colors

The goal here is to use a maximum of three accent colors, so the pared-down palette stands out above everything else. In this beachy living room, Christina on the Coast host Christina Hall used shades of blue and chartreuse to amp up a gray-and-white space. Our tip: Trade out the chartreuse pillows for a varied look (e.g. sage green for earthy, pink for preppy or cerulean for beachy-cottage).

see more: Coastal Living Inspired by Christina Anstead

Use Neutrals to Expand Small Spaces

A neutral palette is perfect for on-the-petite-side rooms. Jasmine Roth of Help! I Wrecked My House surprised her mom with a beach condo makeover. The earthy color scheme is light, airy and expands the room visually. Moveable poufs add extra seating or a spot to prop feet. A mix of textures and tones keep the space from feeling one note.

see more: Before and After: Tour Jasmine Roth's Cali-Cool Condo Makeover

From: Jasmine Roth

Embrace the Versatility of Neutrals

The best part of a minimal color palette is its flexibility. Want to try out a new trend? Go for it. Loving periwinkle? Layer it in. The living room world is your oyster. This cozy living room by Jasmine is a little bit western and a little bit rustic, but with a few simple changes, it could be boho-chic, Cali-cool, midcentury mod or sweetly cottage.

see more: Take a Tour of HGTV Star Jasmine Roth's Cali-Cool Home

From: Jasmine Roth

Add Style to Your Ceiling

No plain white ceilings here. For her winning house on Season 1 of Rock the Block, Jasmine designed a great room that stunned the judges. A casual-cool seating area and stacked glass doors leading outside make for an utterly inviting space — but the star of this show (beside Jasmine herself!) is the custom raw wood ceiling. It adds warmth to the neutral space, as well as major style points. Subtle paint colors or cool wallpaper are also great for amping up your ceiling's style and elevating an all-white space.

see more: Jasmine Roth's House Reveal

From: Jasmine Roth

Play With Diverse Textures

Known for his love of color, David Bromstad of My Lottery Dream Home steps his toe into neutrality here. But, of course, he’s never going to play it too safe. He upgraded the classic built-in bookshelves with raw wood columns. Meanwhile, the neutral furniture boasts a decidedly chic mix of materials — from traditional tufted chairs to naturally woven barrel armchairs. Even the flooring, a wool striped rug layered over a jute one, brings tactile appeal.

see more: The Many (Smiling) Faces of David Bromstad

From: David Bromstad

Bring in Strong Shapes and Silhouettes

Already bumped up with texture, this living room is also brimming with notable forms. HGTV designer Brian Patrick Flynn brings in seating, accent tables and light fixtures with varied shapes and silhouettes to stand out against a muted color palette.

see more: Breathe New Life Into Your Outdoor Living Room With Cozy Decorating Ideas

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Get Down to the Basics

Think about your living room like you would a capsule wardrobe: you’re pulling together your best tailored pieces, the furniture and accessories you want to live with every day. All your accessories complement each other, but the look isn’t monotonous. Here, designing duo Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent of The Nate and Jeremiah Home Project used simple neutral accessories to create an elegant, understated living space.

see more: 10 Times HGTV Stars Pulled Off Coastal Grandma Designs

From: Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent

Say No to Matchy Matchy

This neutral space designed by Nate and Jeremiah during Season 2 of Rock the Block is anything but flat. The designers indulged in a subtle palette layered in rich hues. Deep brown walls complement tongue-and-groove paneling topped with a marble border, while black-and-white French marble flooring grounds the simple vintage furnishings.

see more: Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent's House Reveal

From: Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent

Emphasize With Artwork

Nate and Jeremiah were strategic with the artwork in this living room — it serves triple duty. The framed prints are a focal point for anyone lounging on the L-shaped couch and a harbinger of striking texture against neutral walls. It also adds dimension to the otherwise subtle palette of tans, blacks and creams, which surround a rich-colored couch.

From: Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent

Play Off Your Brick Fireplace

If you’re renovating an older home, chances are you have a massive fireplace in your living room. We love fireplaces, but we don’t love the garish red brick or 1970s stonework that often accompany them. The solution: paint. Painting over the brick or stone transforms an eye-jarring focal point into a stunning architectural element that flows with your neutral space. Here, Egypt Sherrod of Married to Real Estate painted the fireplace brick and surrounding bookshelves white for a seamless look.

see more: Behind the Scenes With Egypt Sherrod and Mike Jackson

From: Egypt Sherrod

Try Any Design Style

Not just for the modern and contemporary spaces, neutral color palettes can also adorn traditional or formal rooms. In the living room of her Atlanta home, Egypt blends velvety shades of gray, soft-to-the-touch materials and ornately carved furnishings. Traditional design often leans into deep shades of reds, browns and greens, but this take on classic feels completely of-the-moment.

see more: Take a Tour of Egypt Sherrod's Atlanta Home

From: Egypt Sherrod

Focus on Major Pieces

Keep larger furniture like sofas and chairs neutral like Property Brothers: Forever Home host Jonathan Scott did in this living room. Not only will these pieces stay in style longer, but you’ll be able to switch out smaller, complementary accessories to reinvent your space when needed. Here, Jonathan embraced an all-white foundation, then accessorized it with architectural details and colorful throw pillows.

From: Jonathan Scott and Drew Scott

Use Symmetry as a Guide

Here, Property Brothers: Forever Home host Drew Scott used a balanced design to set the scene of this formal yet relaxed living room, where matching sofas and floor lamps flank a statement fireplace. A tufted coffee table centers the composition, while the neutral sofas face each other.

From: Jonathan Scott and Drew Scott

Choose Modest Hues, High in Style

When you’re working with a limited color palette, look for furnishings that boast interesting shapes, patterns and textures. Here, Drew and Jonathan considered the cut of the furniture silhouettes as well as textile combinations, knowing every element was at play. They even knew a chic acrylic coffee table would open up the space and provide an unobstructed view of the fireplace.

From: Jonathan Scott and Drew Scott

Paint Window Trim Black

It’ll elevate the contrast in a mostly white room. This media room by Jonathan and Drew has a cushy oversized sectional, multiple built-ins for ample storage and floor-to-ceiling curtains — all in a monochromatic theme.

From: Jonathan Scott and Drew Scott

Work in Woven Texture

Dave and Jenny Marrs' Season 3 Rock the Block living room is a cozy, layered space complete with a pillowy white sofa and cream-colored curtains. Jenny livened up all the light with warm wood textures: most notably two cane chairs topped with fluffy, white pillows. Rattan shades in the entryway and a round wooden coffee table tie the look together.

see more: Dave and Jenny Marrs' 'Rock the Block' House Reveal

From: Jenny Marrs and Dave Marrs

Vary Neutral Tones

A neutral space doesn't have to be all beige tones. For this living room design, Good Bones host Mina Starsiak Hawk started with white, shiplapped walls. Then she layered in soft tans, natural woods and tawny shades — building all the way to deep chocolate browns. Her range of hues creates a striking juxtaposition.

see more: Mina Starsiak's Best Design Ideas for Every Room

From: Mina Starsiak

Pair Subtle With Subtle

Beige is not your only choice. Some shades — such as sage, pale blue or blush — can be used as neutrals, especially when paired with other subtle hues. The light blue walls of this cozy living room by Mina act as a neutral backdrop to dark wainscoting and a leather sofa. Mina also brought in an eclectic mix of elements — a crystal chandelier, a gilded cabinet, woven baskets and a chair shaped like a hand — for a collected-over-time ambiance.

From: Mina Starsiak

Refine With Metallics

Make your neutral design glam with metallic accents. The golden floor lamp, side table and coffee table in Mina’s living room design are small touches, but they add brilliance. Try mixing metals and finishes, combining brushed nickel with brass or chrome with oil-rubbed bronze.

From: Mina Starsiak

HGTV Insider

20 Neutral Living Room Ideas From HGTV Stars

Related To:

Shop This Look

HGTV Stars Love a Neutral Living Room

Stick With One Accent Hue

… Or Two or Three Colors

Use Neutrals to Expand Small Spaces

Embrace the Versatility of Neutrals

Add Style to Your Ceiling

Play With Diverse Textures

Bring in Strong Shapes and Silhouettes

Get Down to the Basics

Say No to Matchy Matchy

Emphasize With Artwork

Play Off Your Brick Fireplace

Try Any Design Style

Focus on Major Pieces

Use Symmetry as a Guide

Choose Modest Hues, High in Style

Paint Window Trim Black

Work in Woven Texture

Vary Neutral Tones

Pair Subtle With Subtle

Refine With Metallics

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