When it comes to neutral paint colours, most homeowners make one major mistake: choosing based on what they love rather than what works with their fixed elements. Stone, tiles, carpet, and cabinetry all have undertones — subtle hues that influence the overall look of your space. If you don’t test and understand undertones, your neutral walls, kitchen cabinets, or flooring may clash and ruin your design.

In this post, I’ll show you exactly how to identify, test, and match neutral paint colours using real examples, including popular Dulux paint colours.

Why Undertones Matter

Undertones are in everything — every stone, tile, carpet, and fabric has them. They can be gray blue, gray green, gray violet, beige pink, beige yellow, or beige orange. Some undertones are flexible, others are fixed. When you know the undertones in your space, you’ll know:

• Which white paint colours pair perfectly

• How to create cohesion between walls, cabinetry, and flooring

• Which neutrals will work in open-plan spaces and bedrooms

For example, a gray-green undertone in your stone dictates what neutral whites and wall colours will look best. Without testing, you might choose a neutral that appears fine in the store, but clashes with your fixed elements once installed.

Step 1: Gather Your Undertone Samples

Before shopping, have samples of all key undertones on hand:

• Gray blue

• Gray green

• Gray violet

• Beige pink

• Beige green

• Beige yellow

• Beige orange

These samples are your secret weapon. Compare them to your stone, tiles, and fabrics. Testing ensures the undertones align and prevents costly mistakes.

Step 2: Test Against Fixed Elements

Always test neutrals against the elements that won’t move:

• Stone: Place horizontal samples of your stone and compare undertones. Stone undertones dictate cabinet and wall colour choices.

• Tiles: Match tiles with undertone samples, don’t guess. Tiles may appear neutral but often hide undertones.

• Carpet or Fabric: These can contain multiple undertones, so compare carefully with your paint samples.

Testing is key. Many homeowners fail because they assume a neutral works without testing. That’s where mistakes happen.

Step 3: Match Whites to Undertones

Once you’ve identified your undertone, match it to the correct white paint:

• Gray green pairs beautifully with warm whites with a hint of green

• Gray blue works well with soft whites or cooler whites

• Beige pink pairs perfectly with crisp whites for contrast

The right white paint elevates your neutral palette, ensuring walls, cabinetry, and other elements flow seamlessly.

Step 4: Understand Complex Neutrals

Some stones or fabrics may contain more than one undertone. For example, a single stone may have gray blue AND gray green undertones. That’s why testing multiple samples is critical. This ensures the palette is cohesive and all elements complement one another.

Neutrals are not “one-size-fits-all.” They are subtle, complex, and require careful testing. By understanding undertones, you can confidently select paint, stone, tiles, and fabrics without guessing.

Step 5: Create a Cohesive Colour Scheme

Once you’ve identified undertones and matched whites, you can build a full colour scheme:

• Walls: use the neutral matching your undertone

• Cabinets: same undertone as walls or slightly lighter/darker

• Stone & tiles: align with the same undertone

• Fabrics & carpets: reinforce undertones for harmony

This approach ensures a timeless, professional look throughout your home, whether renovating or building new.

Bonus Tip: Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Choosing neutrals based on personal preference alone

2. Not testing against fixed elements

3. Assuming all “grays” or “beiges” are the same

My Online Course: Master Neutral Paint Colours & Undertones

I teach this entire process in my online course. You’ll learn:

• How to identify undertones in every element

• Which Dulux paint colours pair perfectly with each undertone

• Step-by-step system to create a cohesive colour scheme for your home

Stop guessing and make your home renovation or new build stress-free. Sign up now and never pick the wrong neutral paint colour again!

Click here to check out the course: