Sometimes we use neutral colors when we don’t know which colors to choose. But neutral colors can do much more than that. They help create harmony between colors as they highlight the rest of the colors and don't compete for attention. They also create more contrast in the design and can alter the overall feel of the palette.

The pure neutral colors are black, gray, and white. Brown and beige are also considered neutrals but are actually variations of orange (which is why they aren't considered pure neutrals). Adding different neutral colors will produce different effects.

For example, adding white to a mostly red palette can make it feel softer and more romantic. But adding black — another neutral color — would make it feel angrier or more passionate.