My china closet is built with 3 solids, white, yellow, green and pink. Yes, pink! Here are some examples of mixing and matching dinner plates with either salad/dessert or bread and butter plates. You can find great complimenting plates for your neutral dinner plates. Some come from second hand stores and flea markets. Home Goods is also a great place to find that unique pattern.  For more ideas on place settings check out TableGlamour's Pinterest Board -  https://www.pinterest.com/TableGlamour/dinnerware-start-wbasics/