Grey is one of the most popular colours in interior design owing to its versatility and the myriad of shades available. Pale and lilac-toned greys are used in cool Scandinavian homes, deep graphite greys can be moody and romantic in traditional settings, whilst the beige-toned 'greige' is the go-to shade for minimalists. Whether you're decorating your living room or renovating a bathroom, grey is always a safe choice.
The versatility of grey can make it trickier to land on the right colour combination – there are few colours that don't sit well with grey – sunny mediterranean shades warm up cooler tones, a classic crisp white works wonders in a grey bathroom, whilst soft blush pinks offset the severity of graphite.
‘Whilst the general trend for grey home décor may have waned slightly of late it can most definitely be modernised and brought up to date simply by adding an injection of colour,' says Tracey Hague, Director of Where Saints Go. 'The rule of thumb being match cool greys with other "chill" colours such as blue, pale greens and cool white. And match darker grey tones with warm tones such as burnt orange, mustard, and teal.'
We asked interior stylists and design experts to share their tips on the best colours that go with grey. Read on for 17 ideas to try in your own home...
Grey & White
Original Style
Soft greys lend themselves to bathrooms and kitchens, or wherever you need a crisp and clean design scheme. 'You can't beat crisp brilliant white with a mid-toned grey. It has a fresh appeal that oozes sophistication and can be teamed with pale blonde wood (as seen here), with great results,' says interior stylist, Sophie Warren-Smith.
Grey & Pink
Carpetright
This living room is a great example of using pastel colours to soften the severity of dark grey. 'You’d be right to think graphic shapes and gunmetal grey is a typically masculine look, so add curves with blush pink and plaster pink on the walls to soften the look and keep it the right side of pretty,' says House Beautiful's Style and Interiors Director, Sarah Keady.
Grey & Yellow
Benjamin Moore
When designing calmer spaces like a bedroom, combine colours in similar tones, like this pale grey and buttercup yellow. 'Be on trend and incorporate yellow with a soft grey,' says Sophie. 'This yellow is a brighter tone that is "calmed" by the grey on the rest of the room. Accessorise with rustic wood and white to add contrast.'
Pictured: Baby Fawn Wall Paint and York Harbor Yellow, both by Benjamin Moore
Grey & Coral (and a hint of mint)
Sanderson Paint
'These beautiful colours work brilliantly together because they are all the same tone. The peg rail breaks up the expanse of grey and is perfect for hanging mirrors and towels from. The pretty pale mint bath adds a further dimension – team with accessories in these three colours for a lovely calming room,' says Sophie.
Grey & Pale Blue
Photography Simon Bevan, Styling Jennifer Haslam
'You might think that blue is too cool a colour to add to your bedroom but you'd be surprised. Team silver shades with chalky cornflower blue hues for a beautiful, dreamy look,' says Sarah.
This pairing makes the perfect backdrop for pale woods and rattan.
Pictured: House Beautiful Neva Bed at Dreams
Grey & Lilac
Sofa.com
'Pops of yellow give this grey and lilac combination a spring uplift that creates a prefect look that isn't too dull or too bright,' says Sophie. 'Choosing cushions that incorporate both the grey and yellow will bring the look together.'
This dark grey is a great choice in a lilac room – a lighter shade may look washed out, and wouldn't provide enough of a contrast to enable yellow to stand out.
Pictured: Bowie Sofa at Sofa.com
Grey & Mint
Olive & Barr
The temptation when designing with paler colours is to warm them up with brass or gold, but we love this fresh silver and mint green combination.
'Perfect for spring and summer, this scheme brings the colours of nature into the home,' says Sophie. 'The key is to create a look that is balanced, and this is achieved by keeping the colours similar in tone.'
Pictured: Bespoke Shaker Kitchen by Olive & Barr
Grey & Neutral
Photography Simon Bevan, Styling Jennifer Haslam
This living room fully embraces the popular beige-toned greige. 'Texture is key to adding warmth to a neutral interior – woven rugs, velvet cushions and ceramic accessories will all bring depth and interest to your space so it feels cosy and inviting – ready to hunker down in the evening,' says Sarah.
Grey & Grey
Dunelm
'Playing with shades like this can be a good option if you love two grey tones but can't decide which you like best,' says Sophie. Here, charcoal grey doors and window frames anchor an otherwise pale design scheme – and it's super easy to replicate in your own home.
Pictured: Amazonia Toile Duvet Cover, Farrah Palm Pendant Light, and Matilda Dove Grey Bed, all at Dunelm
Grey & Teal
Fired Earth
'For a completely different look, opt for a deeper pairing of colours,' says Sophie. 'Here, not only has the chimney wall been painted in a chalky matt grey, but also the fire surround and skirting too. The teal is the secondary colour and it gives a beautiful contrast whilst adding depth to the scheme at the same time. Team with dark wood furniture to complete this dramatic look.'
Pictured: Nightingale Grey and Hummingbird matt emulsion, both Fired Earth.
Grey & Terracotta
House Beautiful
‘2023 is the year for earthy and minimalistic tones, which is why we're not surprised that terracotta pairs so well with our all time favourite, grey,' says Yvonne Keal, Senior Product Manager at Hillarys. 'Give your grey living room a "glow up" this year and add a little terracotta through soft furnishings, like your window dressings or cushions. The splash of terracotta provides visual interest to a room not only warming up the space but making it feel positive and welcoming for entering guests.'
Pictured: House Beautiful Matchsticks Mono Blinds at Hillarys
Grey & Monochrome
Sofa.com
'For those who prefer a monochrome theme, incorporating different shades of grey, alongside accents of white and black, is an effective way to create depth and visual interest in a room,' says Jen Nash, Design Excellence Manager at Magnet.
Pictured: Coco Dining Chairs and Coco Bar Stools at Sofa.com
Grey & Orange
Carpetright
'As grey can sometimes be seen as a cooler colour, it can work well when mixed with a warmer shade like burnt orange,' says Sophie. 'In this living room the plain and patterned cushions link the colour palette perfectly.'
To soften the look, opt for accents of natural wood and lush green plants.
Grey & Blush
Button & Sprung
'The subtle pink of this bed works really well with the geometric wallpaper and pale grey throws,' says Sophie. 'The dark triangles on the wallpaper sing out whilst the white square print bedding and barely pink cushions add a subtle yet decorative touch.'
Pictured: Daisy double bed frame in blush at Button & Sprung and Scion Lohko Modul Wallpaper in Blush at John Lewis.
Grey & Navy
Benjamin Moore
'Calming and understated in equal measures, grey and light blue can make rooms feel more contemporary and clean cut, whereas darker shades (e.g. navy) blue give rooms more depth,' says interiors stylist at ScS, Vicki Foster. 'Opting for grey over white as a combination also removes any nautical connotations so you can avoid over-styling whilst allowing the blue to stand out against a neutral colour.'
Pictured: Cabinets painted in Meteor Shower C 5443 at Benjamin Moore
Grey & Red
Furniture and Choice
'While these two colours may seem like more of a clash than a combination at first thought, it’s a pairing that makes an instant impression and creates a burst of refreshing energy,' says Vicki.
'Light grey walls and a dark sofa with red accessories can work in harmony together, so too can a light sofa with nearby artwork or cushions or plants or plant pots with a pop of bold red colour. Grey and red can also be partnered with a crisp white too, to bring a freshness to the decorated space.'
Pictured: Astor Grey Velvet Double Bed at Furniture and Choice
Grey & Green
Delcor
'The green bed is upholstered with a fleck woven fabric that adds texture, this contrasts against the super smooth chalky grey walls. The yellow curtains and lamp act perfectly as accent colours and the crisp white bedding adds balance whilst the patterned cushions bring all the colours together,' says Sophie.
Pictured: Empire bed and footstool in Dolce & Gabbana Brecon Leaf fabric at Delcor.
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FAQs
What colors go best with gray in interior design? ›
'The rule of thumb being match cool greys with other "chill" colours such as blue, pale greens and cool white. And match darker grey tones with warm tones such as burnt orange, mustard, and teal.' We asked interior stylists and design experts to share their tips on the best colours that go with grey.
What is grey complimentary color? ›Pair it with white, pink, or soft blue, and it inspires a calming essence. Team it up with vibrant reds and yellows, and you'll instantly feel its energizing effects. Regardless of what you do with gray, you can count on the fact that it will fit in with just about any decorative style or space.
What is the new grey in interior design? ›What color is replacing gray? Cool toned grays have been replaced with warmer toned greige, beige, taupe, cream, and brown tones as the most popular neutral options. But, more homeowners will be choosing bold, vibrant colors instead of neutrals.
What are complementary colors in interior design? ›Complementary Colors
As they say, opposites attract. Choosing two complementary colors creates an energizing, high-contrast color scheme. It's also a pretty simple concept: pair two colors from opposite sides of the color wheel, such as purple with yellow, blue with orange or red with green.
- 1) Add natural wood elements. Wicker, jute and rattan are all on trend right now. ...
- 2) Warm toned lighting. ...
- 3) Bring in the green plants! ...
- 4) Use highly textured finishes. ...
- 5) Colours to use with grey. ...
- 6) Metal finishes.
Introduce natural fiber rugs to warm up the floors: Natural jute rugs are the easiest way to bring loads of warmth into your room – especially if you are decorating around a lot of grey finishes.
Does teal go with grey? ›In terms of colors that go with grey, teal is an easy pairing as they can both be quite cool in tone.
What colour goes well with grey furniture? ›Think classic white, a rich dark navy, other shades of grey or muted green tones. Colours with a cool undertone (blues and other greys) will complement grey well while colours with warm undertones (terracotta or burgundys) will contrast the shade and bring a touch of warmth into the space..
Does grey and beige go together? ›Can you combine gray and beige in the same room? The answer is YES! There are several gray paint colors that work beautifully with beige. Here are some of my favorite shades of gray to use as an accent with your beige walls.
What color is replacing gray 2023? ›Here, designers, decorators, and color experts reveal why beige is replacing gray for 2023, and how to decorate with beige for a beautiful scheme every time.
What is the next color trend after gray? ›
The answer? It's beige. Yes, beige is coming back in style after years of being synonymous with boring or bland. Warm neutral paint and upholstery colors are now taking favor over grays, with shades like tan, taupe, ivory and beige (even brown!)
What is the new grey color called? ›Over the next ten years, the Nardo Gray color became insanely popular and ubiquitous. People connected with its bold yet dignified demeanor. While some refer to this color as a “flat gray”, this is incorrect. People frequently use flat to describe any non-metallic auto paint.
What is the 3 color rule in interior design? ›It's a classic decor rule that helps create a color palette for a space. It states that 60% of the room should be a dominant color, 30% should be the secondary color or texture and the last 10% should be an accent.
What are the 3 complementary color combinations? ›Using one of three complementary color pairings (red and green, purple and yellow, blue and orange) is a surefire way to create a bold and beautiful space. Discover our favorite complementary color schemes.
What are the 7 color schemes interior design? ›What are the seven types of color schemes? The seven major color schemes are monochromatic, analogous, complementary, split complementary, triadic, square, and rectangle (or tetradic).
What colours add warmth to grey? ›Rich cream, light warm coffee, and beige shades can all add warmth to a grey room without overpowering it, nor making the room look busy or as if it has too much going on colour-wise.
What colors brighten up a grey room? ›Brighten a cool gray space by bringing in bright yellow accents. Start with a foundation of gray furniture and yellow accessories, then add navy blue accents for a dynamic decorating scheme. Limit the amount of sunny yellow you add to keep the scheme fresh and bold.
What are the warm and cool tones of grey? ›One of the most frequently asked is how to difference between warm and cool grays, and their respective influence on a space. Cool grays will have a blue, purple and green undertone, while warm grays will have a yellow, red, or brown undertone to them.
How to decorate a living room that has gray floors? ›Gray flooring and white furniture
For example, you could choose white or cream-colored furniture that stands out against your gray flooring. Light gray will help your room look spacious, whereas a darker gray base would make your white sofa and chairs pop even more.
You can combine a gray wooden floor with a black or white staircase with natural colored oak steps.
Does turquoise go with grey? ›
Nothing is so dramatic yet calming as the combination of turquoise and grey. The combination of energizing turquoise and moody grey create a perfectly balanced color palette, to accent use yellows,…
Is teal an outdated color? ›Once considered an outdated wall color, teal has made a big comeback. In fact, we've rounded up the decor to prove it! While many people think of teal as a shade of green with a dash of blue, teal is also used to describe a primarily blue hue that can range from blue-grey to turquoise.
Does green go with grey? ›Greens and greys combined create a refreshing colour palette of versatile hues, and can be complemented by a range of other colours when it comes to styling. Adding pops of Millennial pink will instantly modernise a green and grey room, while pairing with muted yellows or golden browns will bring a cosier feel.
How do you make a gray living room cozy? ›Choose soft and fluffy throws and pillows to add texture and make the room feel cosier. Potted plants and candles also make a home feel more warm and welcoming. Add natural wood wherever possible such as coffee or side tables. And let in as much natural light as possible too.
What color goes best with a grey couch in living room? ›Neutral Decor
A couch with grey upholstery is an excellent base for a neutral color scheme. It fits well with beige, black, sepia, and wood tones. But one way to keep it interesting is to vary the brightness of your neutral décor to add more depth and dimension.
Grey sofas go with neutral carpets
For an understated and versatile living room design, we suggest pairing your grey sofa with a beige carpet. Neutral beige, cream and off-white tones will match the tone of your grey sofa perfectly and creates the perfect base for a versatile room.
Ivory is just a step away from white—and gray is, too. Combining ivory, white, and gray can create a surprisingly dynamic color scheme—even though you're exclusively decorating with neutrals.
Does tan go with grey? ›Tan and gray can absolutely go together!
What is the new color combination for 2023? ›Digital Lavender, Luscious Red, Sundial, Tranquil Blue and Verdigris are the color names for 2023. Who chooses the names of the new colors? Names are selected by the WGSN and Coloro color team, before being verified by our in-house Equality Vision Team to ensure a proper translation on a global scale.
What are the 9 color trends for 2023? ›- Vibrant Orange-y Reds. ...
- Bold Reds. ...
- Warm Neutrals. ...
- Brown Ochre. ...
- Softer Shades of Bold Colors. ...
- Beige-Blush. ...
- Elemental Inspiration. ...
- Jewel Tones.
What color never goes out of style? ›
White is always a good paint choice. It feels elegant, clean and fresh. Whether cool and crisp or soft and warm, white is one color trend that never goes out of style.
What are the top paint colors for living room 2023? ›For 2023, the experts are seeing an earthy rainbow. Sapphire deep blues, muted greens, and an in-between ethereal shade are all in the forecast.
What is the most popular grey in Sherwin Williams? ›Agreeable Gray SW 7029, Sherwin-Williams
Wadden selected this color as a favorite, too, stating that Agreeable Gray is Sherwin-Williams's most popular color. "It's the perfect hue for any living space, whether it be a family room or bedroom, as it acts as a neutral backdrop," she says.
The consensus is that grey is out and warm neutrals will continue to dominate in 2023. “The color trends have gone from all white to warm neutrals, and in 2023 we will be warming up those neutrals even more,” says Brooke Moore, Interior Designer at Freemodel.
What is the ultimate grey color of the year? ›PANTONE® USA | Color Of The Year 2021: PANTONE 17-5104 Ultimate Gray + PANTONE 13-0647 Illuminating.
What is Ford's new grey color? ›The 2023 Ford Super Duty gains a new exterior color in its lineup: Azure Gray Metallic Tri-Coat. Ford Authority has already spotted several real-world examples of the refreshed truck wearing this new color, including an F-350 Limited at the Super Duty reveal event, and an F-350 Platinum Tremor a short while later.
What is the 80 20 rule in decorating? ›There's a secret formula Maxwell uses when concepting color for a room. It's called the 80-20 rule and it's very simple: if you decorate 80% of a room in neutral colors, you can get very colorful with the other 20%.
What's the golden rule most interior designers follow? ›You've probably heard of the 2:3 rule, otherwise known as the 'golden ratio'. Ideally, every room should follow this. Start by dividing a room into two sections – the larger one should measure 2:3 of the space, and be the area for big pieces of furniture such as your sofa, bed or dining table.
How many colors should a house interior have? ›A good rule of thumb for a cohesive color palette is to use no more than 5 distinct colors throughout your home. In this case, a white, a neutral, and 3 colors. But, that doesn't mean you are limited to only 5 paint colors in your home.
Which 3 colors are considered a triad color scheme? ›A triadic color scheme is comprised of three colors evenly spaced on the color wheel. The two most basic triadic palettes are the primary colors red, blue, and yellow, and the secondary hues orange, purple, and green.
What are the three color rules? ›
The premise of the 3-color rule is not combine more than three colors in your outfit at any one time. The exceptions are black and white — they don't count, as they aren't technically colors, so they can be intermixed without actually adding a color to your outfit.
What are the most calming colors in interior design? ›"Shades of blue or green are always very calming. Blues are especially known to have a relaxing effect perfect for creating a serene feeling at home," says Nicole Gibbons, interior designer and founder of Clare Paint.
What is the most popular color for interior walls? ›Gray, beige, white, earth tones and other neutrals dominate our bestseller list when it comes to our most popular interior paint colors.
What are the new colors for interior design? ›- Mushroom grey. (Image credit: Broste Copenhagen) ...
- Jade. (Image credit: Bert and May) ...
- Honeyed tones. (Image credit: Bert and May) ...
- Green and orange combined. (Image credit: Colors of Arley) ...
- Dark chocolate brown. (Image credit: Edward Bulmer) ...
- Sunlit Yellows with Black Accents. ...
- Warm summery tones. ...
- Rich blues.
Black, white, cream and shades from the cooler end of the color palette will work best on walls for sunny rooms with cool grey floors; spice shades and more welcoming tones of green and blue on walls will work with warmer grey floors.
What colour goes with grey kitchen units? ›Virtually all metallic tones, from silver and gold to copper and bronze, complement grey. Using metallic accents like handles, pendant lights and mixer taps can help you add interest to the room.
What does the color grey mean in interior design? ›Grey is an ideal colour for people who adore an elegant style. This colour adds coziness and softness to any type of interior design. Along with black and white, grey is a neutral colour to perfectly go with any other hues. No wonder interior and exterior paint palettes always incorporate different shades of grey.
How do you bring color to a grey room? ›Rich cream, light warm coffee, and beige shades can all add warmth to a grey room without overpowering it, nor making the room look busy or as if it has too much going on colour-wise.
Can you mix grey and beige in decorating? ›Yes, whether you're theming the whole room in a grey and beige combo or are just looking for a couple of areas to add in a grey accent to break up the beige, grey blinds with beige walls or vice versa produces a warm, cohesive, and smart but not overly formal look.
What color mix beige with gray? ›Greige is simply beige plus gray. The addition of gray to beige creates a richer color, one that can work in both cool and warm color schemes.
What compliments gray cabinets? ›
Gold, leather, black, brushed nickel, chrome, white—flexibility is gray's best friend. For a starker contrast, pair a dark hardware, like black, with light gray kitchen cabinets. Tone down the contrast by coupling dark hardware with dark gray cabinets. Or, choose the reverse and go light all around.
What color pulls for gray cabinets? ›Silver is the most common color of hardware used with gray kitchen cabinets, but many other metallic finishes also mesh well. If you have a warm-tone gray, gold or brass drawer pulls are very flattering, especially if they're paired with a matching sink faucet.
How do I add warmth to my grey kitchen? ›To warm up cooler greys, add in plenty of wooden tones, this can be in the form of something as big as a kitchen island or as small as a shelf. Pick woods that have warmer more orangey tones if you want a more rustic look, and cooler tones for a more Scandi vibe.
What is the color code for grey in design? ›The gray hex code is #808080.
Why is grey so popular in interior design? ›Gray is a designers' favorite.
Interior designers love this combination, because it's both welcoming and inviting but also classy and chic. Whether gray is on floors, walls, ceilings, furniture, lighting, and/or accessories, its usage will be neutrally stylish.
If your walls are already gray and you're selling soon – don't worry, it's all good. Gray is still popular enough that your home won't look outdated. However, if you have a room or two that need freshening up, I suggest transitioning into a more modest neutral or at least a good white paint color.