For far too long, white closets seemed to be the only way to go for a timeless, understated look! Wood closets and painted finishes have often been associated with super traditional and masculine decor. However, in 2021, neutral painted palettes and light washed woods are reigning the winning choice for a modern gender-neutral space! Clients are becoming increasingly creative with the materials they want to incorporate, and the ways we can dress up a minimal design. Whether it’s with a soft painted palette or a waxed wood finish, there is a neutral palette for every style of home. Stone is also becoming a fast favorite to bring a little luxe visual interest into a space! And with so many options, you’ll be sure to find one that will stand the test of time both functionally and aesthetically.

Beige / Ivory

Probably the most logical departure from a classic white closet, is its closest cousin, ivory. Beige and Ivory are the original neutral shades for interiors, and can be executed in very modern ways! A painted closet in this light neutral color family is a great option for a clean, sophisticated look, that’s equally warm as it is polished. If you’re looking for a slightly more feminine neutral, a rosier shade like Closet Cashmere would also fall into this family, and is an accessible upgrade to make every closet feel soft and luxurious! If you’re looking to complement with gold accents, try out a few champagne swatches with a gold undertone for a more subdued shade.

Grey

If you’re looking to go a little more sleek and modern, or take a liking to a more masculine aesthetic, grey could be your new best friend. With so many shades, both warm and cool, grey is great for giving a closet facelift. From ‘dove’ to ‘French’ and every shade between, grey is the perfect accent to mix with other materials! Try an grey furniture piece against a wood accent wall, or contrast a couple of shades for added depth and dimension. One great optical trick for painting a grey closet — go 2-3 shades lighter for the interior of the cabinets than on the face! This will help to keep the cabinets bright and visible, and visually expand the space rather than having the dark cabinetry feel like it’s closing in! Grey is a good gender-neutral option for a shared closet as well, and will stay feeling fresh for years to come.

Light Wood

If you tend toward a more organic look, an exposed wood grain is a perfect way to play with texture in your closet! Maybe stay away from dark stains and heavier moldings, as this can tend to look very traditional. Instead, a waxed or clear stain wood will age very well, and the grain adds just enough visual interest to otherwise minimal cabinetry. Depending on your preferences, you can dress it up with champagne or silver hardware, and accents as colorful or neutral as your heart desires!

Stone

If budget allows, stone can be a really exciting way to incorporate a new neutral palette in your closet! Whether you want a white marble accent wall with subtle veining or a grey granite island, stone is a durable option for bringing texture and color into the closet, and is sure to never go out of style! If you want to get a little more creative, stone drawer fronts, doors, and floating shelves can all be done, and will instantly bring the boutique experience to life in your space. For a full in-depth look at selecting stones, check out our post here!