Aesthetic room ideas – 11 beautiful, pared-back schemes (2024)

Aesthetic room ideas are perfect for admirers of relaxed, timeless style – and this look has become increasingly popular in recent years.

With hectic modern lives, homeowners are constantly aiming to find a balance between elegant minimalism and cozy luxury for their homes. Those craving the aesthetic look are often after simple and sophisticated interior to create a soothing space that will calm the mind. And while some may regard pared-back spaces as boring, with their clever use of tones, textures and furnishings, these simple schemes prove that colorless and pared-down doesn't necessarily mean bland.

If you want to create a home that relaxes, invigorates and calms all at once, our gallery of aesthetic room ideas is a good place to start. Follow our simple formulas to get your home ideas and decorating ideas spot on first time.

Aesthetic room ideas – 11 beautiful schemes to inspire

Aesthetic room ideas have evolved in recent years. While loud and decorative room ideas are still hugely popular, many of us want to hark back to simpler times, with calm and serene color palettes, cosseting textures and tactile materials.

Great interior design allows you to realize your home decor ideas, delivering when it comes to the practicalities, as well as aesthetically and in a way that caters to your tastes and desires. And the best designs have durability, too, both in terms of style but also because they will stand up to the day to day demands on a room.

When it comes to planning your aesthetic room; put neutral color at the forefront. Where grey and white were the go-to neutrals for a long time, in the post-pandemic world, experts have witnessed a shift to the use of more earthy, warm tones, also known as the 'new neutrals' as people seek to create sustainable and grounding interiors that celebrate the natural world.

'Natural colors are often the ones that we feel most comfortable with using in the home as they are reminiscent of the tranquillity of the outdoors. We’ve seen almost a decade of either grey or loud colors, so people are now beginning to look for those warmer tones, natural tones for a timeless interior,' says Ruth Mottershead, creative director at Little Greene.

The beauty of neutrals is that they are extremely versatile and pair wonderfully with almost any other color, material or pattern, so they often make a beautiful base for a number of different interior looks. Limiting a scheme to a selection of muted complimentary tones will achieve a quiet and cohesive look. Here we explore the many nuances of aesthetic decorating.

1. Bring a comforting feel to a living room with warm neutrals

(Image credit: Styling Kiera Buckley-Jones, photograph Jake Curtis)

With their warm undertones, muted shades like cream, beige and taupe will keep spaces feeling light but will also bring a comforting, cocooning feel – perfect if you're looking for inviting living room paint ideas.

'Beige is a really versatile color that can match any other shade, and offers warmth and depth that grey and white tones just don't have,' says Emma Deterding, founder and creative director of Kelling Designs. 'In the evening light, it creates a calm and cosy aesthetic, whilst in the day it's still bright and airy without feeling cold and clinical.'

2. Layer neutral rooms with plenty of texture

(Image credit: Albion Nord)

Timeless and versatile, nature-inspired shades like grey, white, beige and cream make popular living room color ideas as they provide a neutral base for layering. However, when it comes to decorating with neutrals in a living room it's important to introduce plenty of texture to prevent the scheme feeling drab and lifeless says Camilla Clarke, creative director at Albion Nord.

'Consider texture to be as important as color and pattern. There is nothing worse than a flat design. Interiors are all about evoking the senses and therefore texture is a vital ingredient to every design to get our sight and touch senses going. Try mixing different textures such as natural linens with soft velvets or robust leathers with thick wools.’

In this beige living room, the woven wallpaper creates beautiful texture while the velvet sofas and a plush grey carpet bring warmth and softness.

3. Embrace rustic, natural fibres

4. Decorate with dark neutrals

(Image credit: Project by Sean Anderson / photograph by Haris Kenjar)

When we think of neutral room ideas it's often light beige, cream and white schemes that come to mind, but the neutral palette does in fact span a huge spectrum right through to dark hues like black and charcoal. Opting for living room walls in a dark grey shade and furnishing in lighter tones and warm accents can make a beautiful twist on a classic neutral room idea as demonstrated in this space by Sean Anderson.

While dark grey room ideas and black room ideas can seem daunting, black and charcoal can make fantastic colors for a living room, helping to bring a cozy and cocooning feel. To make sure the look remains warm and cozy, add in plenty of rich, warm tones and rustic textures.

Here, a woven living room rug in grey-beige brings essential softness while the rich chestnut and tan tones of the wooden furniture, wall lighting and cushion bring warmth.

5. Pair off-white with marble for an elegant neutral kitchen

(Image credit: Mylands)

As the busiest room in the house it's important for the kitchen to feel bright and uplifting so it's no wonder light, neutral kitchen ideas and white kitchen ideas are enduringly popular. Decorating in white is often seen as a safe choice, however there are actually a huge array of whites to choose from, all with subtle tonal differences that can have an impact on the look and feel of your space, so choosing the right shade of white can be an important decision.

'South-facingroomswith plenty of light can takecoolerwhiteswith their undertones of blue or green, like Greenwich Time™ No. 8,butwe recommend warmerwhitesfor darker, north-facingrooms,' says Dominic Myland, director of Mylands. 'Wealways advise testingpaint choices in situ firstto see how they appear indifferent lights throughout the day.'

'This kitchen is painted inMylandsKensington Rose™No. 22, a soft white with a hint of red ochre, and Holland Park™No.5, a versatile off-white the colors work cohesively with the marble surfaces. The soft pink tone dictated the color scheme for the whole kitchen and introduces distinctive color without taking over the room,' says the team at Mylands.

6. Use neutral tones as a base for bright accents

(Image credit: Kelling Designs)

If you love decorating with art, colorful fabrics and collectibles then a light, neutral wall color such as white, cream, light grey or beige makes a perfect foundation for layering bold accent colors says Emma Deterding.

'Opting for a warm beige is a great color for a living room, not will it bring warmth great black canvas for introducing colorful accessories and artwork. When it comes to picking furniture and accessories, you should always pick pieces that you love and that are a true reflection of your own personality. With a beige blank canvas, there really are no rules in terms of how much color and pattern you add.'

7. Use grey for a smart, sophisticated living room

(Image credit: James Hare)

'Greyis an incredible color as it can stand out on its own and there are so many shades from strong and moody to pale and subtle,' says SaffronHare, creative director of James Hare. 'Greyis also the perfect foil for a huge array of other shades and tones and is one of those colors that can be used successfully in contemporary and period spaces.'.

As grey sits on the cooler end of the neutral spectrum, decorating with grey can be a wonderful choice for sophisticated and smart schemes. In this grey living room, the combination of dark grey walls with sleek fitted seating and luxurious fabrics with a metallic sheen create a sophisticated and tailored look.

8. Warm up neutral rooms with natural materials

(Image credit: Styling Katrin Cargill / photograph jan Baldwin)

Letting natural materials take center stage in an aesthetic room is a lovely way to bring texture and warmth to neutral rooms.

'The use of natural fibres, timbers and earthy hues create a sense of balance and understated luxury,' says Samantha Wilson, interior designer and founder at Collection Noir. 'It’s a look that can be easily achieved, whether you accessorise with woven baskets and planters, or play with natural textiles such as linen cushions, throws and tablecloths, and of course jute and flatweave rugs.'

In this neutral dining room, the selection of furniture in sculptural shapes and different woods creates structure and interest, while the jute rug and linen curtains add softness.

9. Create a calm yet cozy bedroom scheme with neutrals

(Image credit: Julia Dempster)

Neutral shades are enduringly popular bedroom color ideas, helping to create calming, comforting spaces conducive for sleep. Opting for warmer, earthy shades like stone and clay will bring a comforting and grounding feel.

In this white bedroom Julia Dempster has layered chunky texture to bring a warm and cozy feel to the space. ‘I love using linen bedlinen against vintage pillows with a thick woven wool throw to dress the bed, a thick pile knotted rug adds to the contrasting texture against the rustic reclaimed wood stool which doubles as a bedside table,’ says the interior designer.

10. Use wall tiles to bring life to a bathroom

(Image credit: Bert & May x Kitesgrove)

To keep a bathroom feeling light and uplifting you can't go wrong with an understated palette, but it can leave the spaces feeling clinical and bland.

Introducing patterned or textured bathroom wall tiles, whether behind a sink or in a shower enclosure, is a brilliant way to inject personality into neutral bathrooms. Featuring playful geometric shapes in warm plaster tones, these new encaustic tiles from Bert & May and Kitesgrove, available from September, will bring beautiful texture and a playful twist to a simple bathroom.

11. Create an element of surprise with bold wallpaper

(Image credit: The Curious Department )

A neutral palette is often associated with a laid-back, minimalist look, but this needn't always be the case as demonstrated in this head-turning cloakroom idea.

Featuring a bold, abstract design in an array neutral shades, this bold wallpaper idea from The Curious Department is beautifully balanced by paneling in a light beige, while the metallic finishes of the wall lighting and mirror add to the wow-factor and glamor.

How do you style an aesthetic room?

To style an aesthetic room think about introducing surfaces, furnishings and accessories in natural materials, as these will help bring depth, dimension and definition.

'If you have beige, grey or neutral walls and flooring, which most people do tend to have, then bringing furniture pieces in natural woods, linens and stone will add a tactile edge to space whilst connecting you back to nature,' says Amanda Huber, owner of Dining Chair Co.

When it comes to furnishing aesthetic rooms think about sculptural shapes; these shapely designs will create focal points in place of bold colors. 'In terms of furniture shapes; opt for organic silhouettes such as curved designs. The softer lines help to create a less strict, informal and cozy setting that makes you feel safe and cocooned,' adds Huber.

Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts

Aesthetic room ideas have gained popularity in recent years as homeowners seek a balance between elegant minimalism and cozy luxury for their homes. These ideas focus on creating a soothing space that calms the mind through the use of simple and sophisticated interiors. While some may consider pared-back spaces as boring, the clever use of tones, textures, and furnishings in these aesthetic room ideas proves that colorless and pared-down doesn't mean bland [[1]].

To create an aesthetic room, it is important to consider the use of neutral colors. While grey and white were popular neutrals for a long time, there has been a shift towards more earthy and warm tones, also known as the 'new neutrals'. These tones create sustainable and grounding interiors that celebrate the natural world. Natural colors are often preferred as they evoke a sense of tranquility and comfort, reminiscent of the outdoors [[1]].

Neutrals provide a versatile base for aesthetic room ideas as they pair well with almost any other color, material, or pattern. By limiting the color scheme to a selection of muted complimentary tones, a quiet and cohesive look can be achieved. Warm neutrals like cream, beige, and taupe bring a comforting and cocooning feel to living rooms, making them inviting and relaxing spaces [[1]].

Layering neutral rooms with plenty of texture is essential to prevent the scheme from feeling drab and lifeless. Mixing different textures, such as natural linens with soft velvets or robust leathers with thick wools, adds depth and visual interest to the space. This combination of textures creates a sensory experience that engages both sight and touch [[1]].

Introducing textiles in natural fibers like linen, wool, and velvet is another way to bring depth and coziness to neutral living rooms. Timeless weaves using the finest yarns can add richness to a simple neutral scheme. Pure linen drapes create a relaxed and lived-in appearance, while accent linen velvet or wool cushions contribute to a cohesive and characterful aesthetic. Handcrafted wallcoverings with rich textures and natural materials complement neutral spaces effortlessly [[1]].

While light beige, cream, and white schemes are often associated with neutral rooms, the neutral palette actually spans a wide spectrum, including dark hues like black and charcoal. Dark neutrals can bring a cozy and cocooning feel to a living room when paired with lighter tones and warm accents. Combining a dark grey shade for the walls with lighter furnishings and warm accents creates a beautiful twist on a classic neutral room idea [[1]].

Neutral tones are also popular in kitchens, creating bright and uplifting spaces. Choosing the right shade of white is important, as different whites have subtle tonal differences that can impact the look and feel of the kitchen. South-facing rooms with plenty of light can take cooler whites with undertones of blue or green, while warmer whites are recommended for darker, north-facing rooms. Pairing off-white with marble surfaces creates an elegant and timeless neutral kitchen [[1]].

Neutral wall colors like white, cream, light grey, or beige provide a perfect foundation for layering bold accent colors through art, colorful fabrics, and collectibles. A warm beige wall color serves as a great canvas for introducing colorful accessories and artwork, allowing for personal expression and creativity in the space [[1]].

Grey is a versatile color that can stand out on its own or serve as a foil for a wide array of other shades and tones. Decorating with grey can create sophisticated and smart living room schemes. Combining dark grey walls with sleek fitted seating and luxurious fabrics with a metallic sheen adds a touch of glamour to the space [[1]].

Natural materials play a significant role in aesthetic rooms, bringing texture and warmth to neutral spaces. Using natural fibers, timbers, and earthy hues creates a sense of balance and understated luxury. Accessorizing with woven baskets, planters, natural textiles like linen cushions and throws, and jute or flatweave rugs adds depth and interest to the room [[1]].

Neutral shades are enduringly popular for bedrooms, creating calming and comforting spaces conducive to sleep. Opting for warmer, earthy shades like stone and clay brings a grounding and cozy feel to the bedroom. Layering chunky textures, such as linen bedlinen, vintage pillows, woven wool throws, and thick pile knotted rugs, adds warmth and coziness to the space [[1]].

In bathrooms, introducing patterned or textured wall tiles can inject personality into neutral spaces. Playful geometric shapes in warm plaster tones can bring beautiful texture and a playful twist to a simple bathroom, preventing it from feeling clinical and bland [[1]].

While a neutral palette is often associated with a laid-back, minimalist look, it can also be used to create a head-turning and glamorous space. Bold wallpaper designs in neutral shades can be balanced by light beige paneling, while metallic finishes add a touch of wow-factor and glamor [[1]].

To style an aesthetic room, it is important to introduce surfaces, furnishings, and accessories in natural materials. Furniture pieces in natural woods, linens, and stone add a tactile edge to space while connecting with nature. Organic silhouettes and curved designs create focal points and a cozy, informal setting [[1]].