Your Big Vision Deserves More Than Beige: Why Neutral Branding is Costing You Clients

If you’ve been paying attention to design trends over the past decade, you’ve probably noticed a sea of sameness. Websites, branding, interiors—everything is blending into a neutral, beige aesthetic. It’s polished. It’s professional. It’s non-offensive.

And it’s also forgettable.

In the online world, where attention spans are shrinking and competition is growing, blending in is the fastest way to become invisible. Yet so many businesses—especially those led by heart-centered entrepreneurs, creatives, and thought leaders—default to branding that doesn’t actually express anything real.

How Did We Get Here? A Brief Look at the Beige Takeover

According to Ingrid Fetell Lee, author of Joyful: The Surprising Power of Ordinary Things to Create Extraordinary Happiness, the beige trend started infiltrating the design world when real estate moved online. The rise of Zillow and HGTV changed how people bought and sold homes. Suddenly, homes weren’t just seen by the buyers walking through the door, but by thousands of people scrolling online listings.

Sellers and real estate agents realized that neutral colors made homes more palatable to the widest audience possible. And thus, "staging beige" was born. The goal wasn’t to express the soul of the home but to erase it — to create an empty canvas where people could project their own vision.

Fast forward to today, and this trend has bled into branding and web design. We’ve been conditioned to think that minimalism, neutrality, and “clean” aesthetics are the gold standard of professionalism. But when you’re trying to stand out, beige isn’t just boring. It’s actively holding you back.

Beige Branding Is Costing You Clients

Let’s be clear: this isn’t about hating the color beige. Beige has its place. The problem is when businesses default to bland branding because they’re afraid of taking up space, making a bold statement, or standing out too much.

Here’s what happens when you blend into the background:

• Your message becomes forgettable. Studies show that our brains are wired to respond to color and contrast. According to research by the Institute for Color Research, people form a first impression about a product or person within 90 seconds, and up to 90% of that assessment is based on color alone. If your brand is a washed-out blend of neutrals, it won’t trigger an emotional response, and emotion is what drives purchasing decisions.

• You attract fewer ideal clients. Your dream clients aren’t looking for “neutral.” They’re looking for something that speaks to them, moves them, and makes them feel something. If your brand is designed to appeal to everyone, it won’t deeply connect with anyone.

• You struggle to differentiate yourself. In an oversaturated market, differentiation is key. If your competitors are all playing it safe with neutral aesthetics, how do you expect to stand out? Daring to show your brand’s personality and energy is a strategic advantage.

The Transformative Power of Color

Color isn’t just decoration — it’s energy, and it has a profound effect on how we think, feel, and behave.

In Joyful, Ingrid Fetell Lee explores how color influences our emotions, particularly joy. In one story, she shares the remarkable transformation of Tirana, Albania, in the early 2000s. At the time, Tirana was a struggling, crime-ridden city. Then, Edi Rama, an artist-turned-mayor, had an unconventional idea: he ordered buildings downtown to be painted bright orange.

What happened next was extraordinary. As more buildings were transformed with vibrant colors — pink, rainbow swirls, bold blues — something shifted in the community. People started littering less, paying their taxes more, and crime rates dropped.

When European Union officials resisted his efforts, arguing that color wouldn’t fix the city’s deeper problems, Rama responded:

"Compromise in colors is gray."

His experiment showed that color doesn’t just make things look nice. It affects behavior, emotions, and even society at large. You can read more about it in Fetell Lee’s blog post or watch Edi Rama’s TED talk to hear the story firsthand.

What Does This Mean for Your Brand?

If color can transform an entire city, imagine what it could do for your business!

Your brand is more than just a visual identity - it’s an experience. When your website, social media, and visuals are infused with energy, intention, and personality, they become magnetic. They draw in the right people and create an emotional connection before you ever speak a word.

How to Break Free from Beige and Create a Brand That Stands Out

If you want to build a brand that captivates and converts, you have to be brave enough to be seen. That means designing a brand and website that aren’t just pretty. They need to be powerful.

1. Start with Intuition

Before diving into colors and visuals, take a step back and ask:

• What does my brand feel like?

• What emotions do I want my audience to experience?

• What are the deeper messages behind my work?

This is the foundation of my BrandBodiment™ framework, where we go beyond surface aesthetics and tap into the soul of your brand. By accessing deep, embodied knowing, we can uncover your true essence and translate it into a brand that feels like a full-body YES.

2. Use Color Intentionally

Color psychology is a real thing, and different hues evoke different emotions:

• Bold, rich colors convey confidence, leadership, and innovation.

• Earthy, warm tones communicate authenticity and groundedness.

• Vibrant, high-energy palettes create excitement and magnetism.

Your brand’s color story should be as unique as your mission. Ideally, it ignites emotion and creates connection, not just “looks professional.”

3. Lean Into Visual Storytelling

Your brand isn’t just a logo or a color palette; it’s a visual story. Photography, patterns, textures, and design elements all contribute to how people perceive you. The goal is to create an immersive experience that draws your audience in and makes them feel something visceral.

Is Your Brand and Website Fully Expressing You?

If your website and branding don’t feel like a clear, powerful reflection of who you and your business are, you’re leaving opportunity on the table. Your people are out there waiting for you. But they can’t find you if your brand isn’t truly you.

Let’s change that. Let’s bring your vision to life in full color. 🎨✨