When it comes to choosing paint colours for your home, neutrals are the quiet achievers. They’re timeless, versatile, and provide the perfect foundation for any interior style — whether you’re building, renovating or simply freshening things up. But not all neutrals are created equal. Some feel too stark, others too muddy. Over the years, I’ve found myself coming back to a handful of tried-and-true favourites that strike just the right balance. Here are five neutral paint colours I love and regularly specify for my clients.

Dulux Lexicon Quarter
This is my go-to white when I want a crisp, modern look. It has a slight coolness that pairs beautifully with greys, blacks and stone finishes. I often use Lexicon Quarter on trims, skirting and ceilings for a clean contrast to warmer wall colours. It’s also ideal for cabinetry when you want a fresh, contemporary feel without it looking sterile.

Dulux Casper White Quarter
Casper White Quarter is a soft, warm white with a hint of grey, making it a great choice for walls in living areas and bedrooms. It has a lovely calming quality and works especially well in homes with timber flooring or warm-toned furniture. It’s a crowd-pleaser that feels fresh but never cold.

Dulux Feathersoft
True to its name, Feathersoft is gentle and subtle. It sits in that sweet spot between a warm white and a pale greige. I love using this in spaces where you want a bit more depth than a traditional white but still want to keep things light and airy. It’s elegant, understated and beautifully versatile.

Dulux Dieskau
If you’re after a neutral with a bit more body, Dieskau is a beautiful grey with earthy undertones. It’s perfect for feature walls, media rooms or even cabinetry when you want to ground a space without going too dark. I’ve used it in both classic and modern homes, and it never feels out of place.

Dulux Grey Pebble Quarter
This soft grey is one of my most reliable all-rounders. It has the right amount of warmth making it incredibly flexible in open-plan homes. It works beautifully with natural materials like timber, linen and stone, and is a great option when you want a little more colour than white but still want to keep things neutral.

These colours aren’t just background — they influence how your furniture looks, how natural light feels in the space, and even how relaxed you feel walking through the door. That’s why it’s worth getting them right. Whether you lean towards cooler tones or prefer something a little creamier, choosing the right neutral sets the tone for your entire home.

When choosing neutrals, always test them in your space first. Light, orientation and finishes around them will all influence how a colour looks. But if you’re looking for a starting point, these five are as dependable as they are beautiful.

With Maria Cerne, Interior Designer at Studio Black Interiors