As trends move towards sustainable style with looks that encourage well-being, we are being influenced by Mother Nature's neutral tones such as soft sand, light stone and earthy hues to create calming and cocooning rooms. These shades are warmer and more delicate than the traditional neutrals of off-whites, cool grey and (dare we mention) magnolia and have a subtle hint of nostalgia about them. Here’s how to use our favourite new neutrals in a thoroughly modern way.

A neutral scheme can create a warm welcome the hallway. Natural carpeting such as sisal is perfect for high traffic areas, while pale painted walls will maximise space. Choose a scrubbable paint so scrapes and marks can be easily corrected. This subtle, shell pink tone on the front door completes the suble but pretty vibe.

Thanks to its natural tones and grain, wood needs nothing more than a good design to look incredible in a neutral scheme. The smooth and simple Ercol style of this dining room furniture creates an effortless arrangement that needs little else. 

The raw plaster trend makes a perfect backdrop for new neutral schemes. From cool concrete greys to more warming terrcotta pinks, the exposed finish has subtle changes in tone and pattern that add just enough interest without overwhelming a scheme. Chalk paint can be used to create the effect or why not feature a removable wall mural? 

Use neutrals to cast a glow onto a white and light-filled room scheme. New neutrals have a fresh and modern feel about them that introduces a comforting feel. Layer the creamy tones and use texture like a large area floor rug to add comfort in more than just a physical sense.

Venture towards the chestnut end of brown for leather upholstery that has a 1970s feel. These fabulous chairs channel retro style with thoroughly modern legs. The soft stitched leather and chunky wooden console table are perfectly offset by a white circular dining table and pendant light shades. Mix and match vintage style with modern; the variation brings an eclectic vibe to a large dining room.

Earthy neutral tones associated with the natural world make them a calming, contemplative colour combination well suited to a home office. These beige walls go a little deeper than a neutral but, teamed with wool bouclé upholstery and pale wood furniture does everything a new neutral should. The encasing colour is a perfect fit with modern accessories, colour matched wall art and dark green houseplants.

A soothing neutral palette makes a great choice if you want a feminine look without it being overly pretty. This shapely wicker bed suits this relaxed bedroom scheme perfectly. Subtle mix and match accessories in oatmeal, soft pink or pale grey lift the white backdrop from being too clinical to create a more intriguing space,

Neutrals work their magic outdoors too, especially small garden spaces as the suble hue will not overwhelm compact spaces. Blend garden furniture into a sunken terrace with linen upholstered seating and natural wood frames. Add a shot of smart colour with the odd cushion or two in grey or blue pebble tones.

Neutrals don’t have to be part of a decorating scheme or a permanent feature in a space. In this chic bathroom, layered fluffy beige towels adds to the warming character, while charcoal toned product dispensers pick out smart stripes. A little greenery helps too. Check out these quick and easy bathroom ideas here.

New neutrals work so well with grown-up versions of pastel shades. They lack the breezy, in-your-face jollity of those ice-cream tones, but in its place offer a touch of sophistication. This subdued shading is what makes them a perfect accompaniment to the more earthy spectrum of neutrals.

The new neutral palette is a great colour set to mix and match display pieces, and the reflective qualities of glassware show them off to good effect. Warm amber and smoky grey work wonders as opaque glass. Display against a traditional neutral backdrop with reflective metal accessories to showcase their subtle tones.

Highlight a neutral scheme with textured light shades. Sometimes our whiter spaces can benefit from the warmth of glowing light. Warm amber bulbs will cast a complementary warm light. Look for interesting wicker lightshades that cast interesting shapes on the surfaces around them. Why not group a few together at different levels with low wattage bulbs to maximise the effect?

A gentle, muted shade of green can have a wonderful levelling effect on an interior design. Think pastel with added warmth and you’re there. Use the colour as a statement feature in the bedroom combined with natural materials for a calm yet refreshing finish.

New neutrals are subtle enough to be used alongside other interior trends. Don’t be afraid to bring in tropical palms (in plant and print-motif form), global textured macramé details and mix with a modern wood or metal industrial style. The look should be eclectic and interesting yet not too busy.

Tones of the brownish-red clay are probably the brightest and boldest colour in our neutral palette gallery. Some would argue it's too bold to make the list, but the hue is so hot in the interiors world right now that we had to showcase how the softer, pinker tones look suitably divine when teamed with organic wood panel walls and chalky white bed linen. 

Layers of soothing beige teamed with natural texture is so hot right now and make a perfect backdrop for cosy nights to come. The warm undertones make a fabulous platform for a shot of accent colour like this dazzling royal blue.

Teamed with a contemporary smooth matt finish this shade of neutral could never be accused of being boring in the kitchen. What's more, a mushroom shade is a kitchen trend that will never go out of style. We love the incredible feature chandelier that takes the juxtaposed look from warm to wow! 

Green can look vibrant in emerald or forest form so keep it much paler – and greyer – for use as a neutral. A muted olive or soft sage teamed with furniture made in natural materials will add a coastal, island vibe. This beautiful grey-green in this bedroom is tentative enough to be subtle and green enough to be fresh.  

It's not just pale neutrals hitting our homes right now. Earthy tans and browns are darker tones that work well as part of a neutral palette too. The key is to keep the backdrop simple and then bring in richer browns and slate greys with accessories such as cushions, rugs and ceramics. 

Houseplants make perfect accessories for a natural and neutral bathroom scheme of chalky plastered walls. Opt for steam-loving variations, such as ferns, and thanks to Mother Nature's taste in tones the leafy green shades look even lusher next to soft creams or buff sand tones. Complete the 'spathroom' vibe with a natural wood bath caddy and apothecary-style glass bottles.

Combine the palest of brown, taupe and white for a soft and subtle colour mix that is ideal for cosy bedrooms. Include subtle patterns and a mix of cotton, wool or even velvets. These tones are casual, comforting, cocooning – and perfect for a bedroom.

A neutral decorating scheme without an injection of dried grasses such as pampas, it seems, is a real faux pas right now. The fanciful and feather-like leaves in vanilla tones are a soft yet structured accessory that adds on-trend interest. This is especially so during the summer months: the dried grass will add texture but keep a scheme looking light rather than cosy.

Break up a neutral scheme in a bathroom with a delicate and detailed wall tile pattern. These subtle patterned tiles have been teamed with warm brown tones and gold accents – the tranquil design creates soothing spa-like luxury.

Velvet upholstery brings out the best in a new neutral. It soaks up light, emphasising the soft duskiness of the palette across a matt surface. Double the effect by offsetting the smooth plush material against gritty exposed brick walls, or fake the look with brick slips. Here, the brickwork's warm terracotta tones are picked out perfectly with plush cushions. 

Stop a traditional neutral bedroom from looking washed out by choosing a pretty wallpaper as a feature wall. The charming flamingo print wallpaper has the perfect combination of white and fuchsia on taupe to be neutral with a charming twist.

If you love these new shades, don’t hold back. Soft pink hues from tea rose to peach can rejuvenate a bland scheme. In this soothing living room, chalky wall panels and stone-coloured upholstery all benefit from a pale pink accent chair and accessories.

Metal fixtures can bring opulent chic to a neutral space. Reflective and glossy, gold, copper or brass can have the same effect as velvet, soaking up the light and drawing the eye to the colour. This brass metal vanity unit and gold bathroom fixtures create high-end glamour in an otherwise simple bathroom. 

Nothing says coastal chic quite like the palest powder blue or cool grey. Keep the breezy shades as pale as you can for the best results. In a bedroom be sure to layer the cool tones with plenty of tactical texture for comfort.

Liven up a monochrome mix with neutrals. Natural wood furniture and sisal accessories will instantly warm and soften a stark black and white backdrop. Seagrass baskets, a natural geometric patterned rug and wooden furniture grounds this easy going living room without compramising the sense of space. 

Imagine all-white cupboards around this living room and it’s easy to see the benefits of a neutral that hovers somewhere indistinct between cream and brown. This bespoke open and closed storage combination from Neville Johnson is filled with warming accessories that add to the interest but keep the softness and brings cosiness to the open-plan space. 

Grey is a traditional neutral, but look for shades with hints of lilac and lavender for a softer feel. Go for softness in upholstery too, with warm, tactile wool. In this modern kitchen-diner, grey upholstered chairs take the cool harshness from a white wall and cupboard.

Circles and arches add softness to room schemes. So, combining these curves with warm neutral colours will make a room as soft and inviting as a cocoon. Add interest with contemporary wall art and depth with on-trend fabrics such as bouclé or wool. 

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