20 Neutral Living Room Ideas From HGTV Stars

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

Though this living space — designed by Keith Bynum and Evan Thomas and featured on Bargain Block New Orleans — is neutral and light, a mix of creamy textures (a tufted sofa, linen curtains and a low pile area rug) add interest. As does the statement black-and-white circus-esque coffee table and a woven side table.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Jonathan Knight

the Living Room: Integrating Old and New

Classic elements like the heavy double doors with arched transom and the stately fireplace with carved wood surround are offset by clean, white walls, light-stained wood floors and contemporary furnishings. The tastefully neutral palette, recconfigured space and enhanced lighting all help to create a more open and spacious feel.

Alison's personal assistant Britt created this eye-catching gallery wall based on Alison's own design. A variety of frame styles create a visual collage highlighting some of the homeowners' favorite photos and art — arranged on either side of the living room fireplace.