In the quieter weeks after Christmas, a clear interiors shift is emerging. Cool greys are being gently edged out in favour of warmer, more soothing neutrals that feel restorative rather than stark. Soft oat, stone, mushroom and chalky white are setting the tone for homes that prioritise comfort, light and longevity as we move into the new year.
This move towards decorating with neutrals is less about playing it safe and more about creating depth through tone and texture. Warm neutrals offer an easy sense of cohesion and calm, making them ideal for spaces that need to feel settled after the visual busyness of the festive season. It is also why The Pottery Barn Boxing Day Sale feels particularly timely, with its emphasis on natural materials and softly layered finishes.
Rather than dramatic colour changes, the focus is on considered updates that bring warmth and ease, proving that neutrals can feel both current and deeply comforting at the start of the year.
If you are looking for neutral room ideas that feel current rather than flat, these sale picks offer an easy way to buy into the trend. Each piece taps into the warmer end of the neutral spectrum, making them ideal for creating spaces that feel calm, cohesive, and elevated as the new year begins.
Pack away the red checkered Christmas throw until next year and bring in a calming, cosy neutral throw with plenty of texture. Choose one with tactile details to avoid a flat look and create a cosy, cocooning feel.
Neutral cushions can feel like a bore to shop for, but the key lies in mixing and matching unusual textures. The more texture the better! This suede cushion brings in unusual textural interest that is key in achieving a layered neutral scheme.
Neutral schemes needn't be sparse and under decorated. Look for decorative pieces such as this handmade ceramic vase, which is wonderfully tactile and restrained.
This stitched neutral cushion in a rustic oatmeal hue would work wonderfully with the suede cushion above. The textures and colours don't compete with one another, and so they add dimension to a space, which is necessary if you're keeping the palette retrained.
A charming marble catch all, perfect for popping on the sideboard by the front door to catch keys, glasses, or anything that doesn't have a home. It looks equally smart in a sitting room or kitchen, and I would buy more than one for that purpose.
With warm neutral spaces there is a risk it can feel uninspiring, and so you must add small details of colour here and there to help it feel fresh. This lumbar cushion does the job perfectly, and two on a bed would look delightful.
The velvet quilted bedding in the Pottery Barn Boxing Day sale is ultra luxurious and very decadent. I'm surprised to see it in their sale as its one of the best selling bedding ranges, so if you adore it, I urge you to strike now.
Green is nature's neutral. In neutral schemed it is paramount that greenery makes an appearance in almost every room to balance the overall look. If this makes you a little nervous, there is plenty of faux greenery in this sale, and they all look remarkably real.
Now the emerald green and claret red is well and truly banished from your dining room for another year, bring in some dining accessories that will work across all the seasons beautifully. These cotton napkins are simply stunning, and work in a neutral scheme but are anything but boring.
'Neutral tones have such a beautiful, grounding quality, bringing a quiet warmth that feels both modern and timeless,' explains interior designer Jaime Zehner.
'When shopping for neutral home decor, look out for natural materials like linen, stone, and wood, which create a layered, lived-in warmth. Whether on walls, cabinetry, or even trim, these hues envelop a space in an inviting, organic softness that feels incredibly calming.'
If you're looking for colours that always work in a neutral scheme, consider those that echo the natural world, such as sunbaked earth, terracotta tiles, and aged plaster,' she notes.
For anyone still asking what colour is replacing grey, the answer is reassuringly nuanced. It is not about swapping one flat shade for another, but about moving away from cooler greys that can feel dull or draining and towards layers of warm neutrals that bring softness and depth. When combined with tactile textures and natural finishes, these warmer tones create rooms that feel calmer, more inviting, and far better suited to how we want our homes to feel right now.
