If you're building or renovating and wondering how to choose the right neutral paint colours for your home, let me show you how I transformed my own open-plan living space—including my kitchen, living room, and dining area—into a warm, inviting and functional space using Dulux neutrals and timeless design principles.

I’m Bozica, a qualified interior designer and colour specialist. My goal is to help homeowners like you create a colour scheme with confidence—even without a designer. Here's how I did it in my own home.

🏡 Before & After: Open Plan Living Transformation

This space had zero storage and no clear zoning. It included:

• Kitchen

• Dining area

• Living room

• A little nook under the stairs

After my renovation, the space now feels warm, functional, and beautifully connected. I used colour repetition, texture, and neutral layering to create a sense of calm and cohesion.

🎯 Where I Started: Finding the Inspiration

The whole colour scheme started with four beautiful framed artworks featuring:

• Soft greys with green undertones

• Warm charcoal blacks

• Natural wood tones

• Subtle earthy greens

This artwork guided every decision I made. From there, I built a mood board—something I always recommend before starting a renovation.

🧱 Step One: Choose the Kitchen Stone First

This is rule number one in my online colour course and one I follow myself. Your kitchen stone is your foundation—it usually contains multiple neutral tones that will dictate:

• Wall colour

• Cabinet colour

• Skirtings and architraves

• Flooring

• Feature accents

I chose a grey stone with a green undertone, which became my core neutral across the entire open space.

🪵 Step Two: Repeat the Neutrals & Undertones

From there, I repeated my neutrals thoughtfully:

• Grey with green undertone (walls and stone)

• Black accents (handles, pendant lighting, art frames)

• Timber tones (cabinetry, furniture, decor)

• Pops of green velvet (upcoming chairs) for contrast and energy

✨ Tip: Always repeat your key colours 2–3 times throughout the space for cohesion.

🧪 Matching Paint to Your Materials

My paint colour was selected based on the undertone of the stone. This is where most homeowners go wrong. If your stone has a green undertone, your wall colour needs to match—not fight it.

I used Dulux neutrals and tested all paint colours vertically on A4-size samples next to my fixed materials, using Dulux Vivid White as a background to properly detect undertones.

🛋 Furnishing for Function

The layout was planned with zoning and function in mind. Under the staircase, I added a small dresser with drawers—perfect for extra storage. In my dining nook, I reused beautiful chairs from a hotel renovation and reupholstered them until my velvet green chairs arrive.

🪟 Flooring & Renovation Timing

One of the best lessons I’ve learned is: you don’t have to renovate everything at once.

Right now, I still have white floor tiles. They don’t match the scheme—but I’m okay with that because we’re replacing all the windows first. Once the windows are in, the flooring will follow.

I’ve already chosen my new timber flooring, tested it against the cabinetry (both upright!) and confirmed the undertones match.

🌿 Creating a Home that Feels Good

The entire space now feels:

• Warm and welcoming

• Well-zoned and functional

• Calm but not boring (thanks to the green accents!)

• Layered in textures and complementary neutrals

And yes, I made sure it reflected my personal story. My dresser under the stairs holds a framed photo of Marilyn Monroe—my childhood inspiration, gifted to me by my mum. These little touches make a house a home.

🎁 Free Downloads to Help You Choose the Right White

Still unsure? Before you even pick up a brush, make sure you actually understand how to choose white paint and neutrals for your home. I’ve created two free downloads that will walk you through:

📌 Read This Before You Renovate or Build
📌 Understand the 4 Types of White + How to Choose the Right One for Your Home

They’ll help you avoid costly mistakes and feel more confident in your decision-making.

🎓 Want Step-by-Step Colour Selection Help?

If you're ready to learn how to choose white paint, test undertones, and create a full neutral colour scheme for your home, then join my online course. It's designed for homeowners who want to get it right the first time—without needing a designer.

👉 Check out the course here
It’s packed with visual guides, video tutorials, and includes access to a private Facebook group where you can ask me questions directly.