Purple is having a moment, and not in a loud, royalty-only kind of way. We’re seeing softer, more grounded versions show up everywhere. The plums, lavenders, and aubergines that read almost like brown or gray. The kind of purple that behaves like a neutral but brings a little more personality to the room.

Call it a “purple neutral.” It has depth. It plays well with others. And it’s surprisingly easy to live with.

The Purple Neutrals We’re Loving

Here’s a roundup of pieces that prove the point:

Backdrop Puntini Sisal Wallpaper in Plum, CB2 Prado Tan Soup Bowl with Reactive Glaze, West Elm Polly Modern Metal Flush Mount in Fair Orchid, Anthropologie Wright Rectangular 48″ Lacquer Sideboard in Bordeaux, Concrete Collaborative Venice in Mulberry, CB2 Russell Dusty Lilac Velvet Upholstered King Storage Bed, Guinevere High Purple and Pink Cotton Accent Table Lamp available from Lamps Plus, Concretti Maui Freestanding Bathtub in Lavender

Why We’re Into It

These shades sit comfortably between warm and cool. A dusty lilac can lean gray. A deep bordeaux can feel like a richer take on chocolate brown. Even a soft lavender can replace beige when you want something subtle but not sleepy.

Purple also pairs beautifully with materials we already love like brass, marble, terrazzo, velvet, and plaster. It adds dimension without overpowering the rest of the palette.

We’ve been incorporating these tones across projects in ways that feel layered and livable. Check them out below!

Our Lake Claire project featuring Farrow & Ball wall paint
Our 2024 Southeastern Showhouse project featuring drapery by Wovn Home
Our Chastain Park project featuring Calcutta Viola marble

How to Use It

If you’re purple-curious, start small. A lamp. A bowl. A tile in a powder bath.

If you’re ready to commit, go tonal. Layer multiple shades—lavender, plum, bordeaux—within the same room. Keep the materials varied so the space feels dynamic: lacquer against velvet, concrete against brass.

Purple might not replace white or beige entirely, but it’s making a strong case to sit right alongside them. Consider this your sign to swap the safe choice for something with a little more depth!