The neutral colors of black, white, grey, and brown make good backgrounds, serve to unify diverse color palettes, and also often stand alone as the only or primary focus of a design.

White is purity, cleanliness, and innocence. Like black, white goes well with almost any colour. Used with light or pastel tones, white is soft and clean and helps to make the pastel palette more lively. White can make dark or light reds, blues, and greens look brighter, more prominent. Red, white and blue makes a patriotic palette.