The return of neutrals, but with a graphic twist: 9 soothing homewares to buy and keep forever

Forget about Pantone’s Colour of the year – neutral homewares is where it’s at for 2021 and beyond. 

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In 2019 it was a neon coral, in 2020 it was a deep blue and for 2021, the colour experts at Pantone have selected two colours: a pale grey and a lemon yellow. These are undoubtedly a lovely palette of colours, but when it comes to our homes, being on the zeitgeist isn’t really the best thing: it just means you’ll be repainting regularly.

Rather than moseying around for a “trendy” colour, the safest and often most visually pleasing palette is a neutral one. Neutrals are always in vogue, from the beachy Hamptons-esque interiors of the 1990s to the mid-century modern interiors that have taken hold once again.

They can be livened up with flecks of neon or dampened down to an organic feel with rough textures. Better yet, invest in neutral homewares like furniture and accessories and they’ll happily move from room to room, warming up that Pantone “Classic Blue” or adding elegance to Pantone’s “Living Coral”.

We’re starting to see creams and browns return once more, this time under the guise of graphic prints and artistic lines.

Here are 9 homewares to bring some calm creams and brown into any home.

Terracotta painted vase, €25, April and the Bear

Playing off that symmetrical looks, these gorgeous vases can be filled with dried flowers or simply left on their own to catch your eye with its playful palette and geometric shape.

Bea jug, €29, Article

Milk arriving on the table still in the carton is my pet peeve, inherited from my father, who clearly had notions. But this jug is so quaint and cute, you almost want to give it a cuddle.

Vintage rug, from €169, Zara Home

If timeless is what you’re going for, a creamy rug in a classic Persian design is the ultimate investment. Dress it down with slouchy seating and organic surfaces as they’ve done here, or get dolled up and pair it with a modern coffee table and an ornate chandelier.

Rattan cabinet, €249, H&M

Rattan certainly has a whiff of “trend” off it, but if you do it right, it can be a great forever piece. This H&M is brought up a level by the sleek dark meranti timber edging and the mid-century space-age feet, and could make for a great drinks cabinet or vinyl corner.

Rico armchair, £1,745, Maven

We have not stopped looking at Maven’s new website since it launched last month. The Belfast shop now has so many great furniture options that you couldn’t’ buy online before. We’ve fallen hard for this lounge chair. The curves are so retro but it’s kept tasteful rather than kitsch thanks to the brushed cream fabric.

Arizona desert cushion, €39.95, Meadows & Byrne

This a great example of the graphic revival neutral homewares are having at the minute. It puts a fun and playful spin of a typically demure palette and the introduction of a pale green give it that extra lift.

Ribbed marble table lamp, €219, Woo. Design

This piece is like an art installation, the ribs of the marble catching angles of light when the lamp is on. very Art Deco in its shape, with the thin lines of natural marble give it a modern finish, while the veined stone finish adds an organic edge.

Tibetan sheepskin, €185, CA Design

This Tibetan rug is the softest thing you will ever touch. Named Arctic Sunrise, its buttery texture will warm up the look of any room and works as well at the foot of a bedside table as it does flung over the back of an armchair.

Off-white Mirage blanket, €145, Industry & Co

Another fun graphic design, this 100% cotton blanket, is muted in its thread colour but bold in its design. Use it as a decorative wall hanging or as a throw over natty bed sheets.

Featured image via Industry & Co

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