Colors that go with light grey
Colors that go with grey – 9 best pairings
(Image credit: Sasha Adler Design. Photo credit Douglas Friedman)
When it comes to colors that go with grey, you are spoilt for choice. That's because grey is not only the "it" neutral, but also synonymous with style, sophistication, and glamor, and is especially effective when used with other tones.
The versatility of this shade is such that it makes for a great companion for most tones. From sunny Mediterranean shades, and cooler tones, to even classic crisp neutrals... all work wonders when paired together.
We spoke to several designers to understand the different shades and rules as directed by color theory for finding the perfect match for grey. Take a look at these suggestions and apply them to your home!
What colors go with grey?
'Grey is an ideal colour as it compliments many interior styles and trends,' says Richard Ticehurst, brand expert at Crosswater . 'It is also enormously versatile when it comes to partnering with other colours. Depending on its underlying tones and depth of colour, grey can be partnered with almost any other hue.
'As versatile as grey is, it is important to consider undertones when pairing it with another shade' says Richard. 'Cool greys are best paired with cooler colour schemes, such as blue, green, and light purple, while warm greys better complement reds, oranges, and yellows. For fans of the monochrome look, incorporate different shades of grey, alongside white and black, to create depth and visual interest.'
Journalist
Hebe is an experienced homes writer and editor. She has written hundreds of articles helping readers make the best home design choices, and spends her days interviewing interiors industry experts to bring the latest ideas to her readers. For this piece she spoke to top designers to understand what colors would go best with grey.
1. Grey and yellow
(Image credit: Bryan O'Sullivan. Photo credit Helen Cathcart)
One of the most uplifting colors that go with yellow is grey.
That's because both colors are versatile, and can make as bold or as subtle a statement as you like. Think deep grey with warm yellow, or a light grey with a muted or mango yellow. Both combinations will look eye-catching yet so different.
A grey and yellow combination works particularly well with a modern and contemporary style. You can decide on the quantity of both hues while creating your color scheme. If your base color is grey and you don't want to make a big commitment to accent color, bring yellow in through small accessories.
Down Pipe by Farrow & Ball
This dark lead grey with blue undertones is the perfect color to create a moody interior, and looks fantastic in social spaces such as the living room or dining. The color has a cocooning feeling, perfect for creating a cozy decor.
2. Grey and black
(Image credit: Lindye Galloway Studio + Shop. Photo credit Leslie Brown)
When it comes to decorating with neutrals, two colors that you probably wouldn't think about are grey and black.
Yes, we usually think of light tones are neutrals but both grey and black, monotones and deep hues with gravitas too can individually lift a scheme when paired with other lighter colors.
And when paired together, they beautifully offset each other and create a deep, moody interior.
'Just because grey and black are very similar does not mean they can't be used together,' says Lindye Galloway, founder of Lindye Galloway Studio + Shop .
'Utilizing dark grey with black can create a gorgeous and bold monochrome space. We added different patterns and textures in the shade range to help keep a room visually interesting,' says Lindye. 'We also accented the room with some additional pops of beige in the painting, pillows, and curtains to create more dimension against the dark background without detracting from the bold impact.'
3. Grey and white
(Image credit: Brad Ramsey Interiors. Photo credit Paige Rumore Photography)
You can pair a barely-there grey with a crisp white for a bright and airy space or contrast white with deep, moody charcoal.
In this grey and white living room to touch of grey in the checkerboard flooring helps to add depth to almost all white space.
'Depending on your styling, the look can either be relaxed and dreamy or quite tailored, but it does always tend to strike a modern Scandi note,' says Sarah Spiteri, Editorial Director of Livingetc. 'The key is to vary the proportions of grey and white; a 50/50 split will feel quite cold. The texture is a vital additional ingredient - chunky weaves, rough timber, and marble all work well.' recommends.
As simple as this paring is though, not all white shades are going to work with any grey shade. The undertones need to work together, so warmer whites are likely to work best with warmer greys, and, cool-toned greys with purer whites.
Just be sure to test out your pairings in your home to ensure they work together in the lighting of your space.
Grey 15 from Lick
This grey has a lilac undertone and has just the right amount of moodiness and modernity to it.
4. Grey and pink
(Image credit: Victory Colours)
'Blush pink is the ideal shade for just slightly warming up grey tones without actually adding too much warmth to a space or being too saccharine,' says Sarah. 'A muted, dusky pink will make a room more inviting. For this effect, blush is the right choice as it is more subtle than other pink tones and less daring than red.'
'Soft, naturalistic greys look beautiful with a neutral pink.' says color expert Annie Sloan. 'I often use French Linen with Antoinette (my earthy-neutral pink), because French Linen is a complex grey that allows the pink to grow and breathe and warm up. It’ll bring out the earthiness and the warmth of the pink.'
And this is why pink and grey living rooms are so soothing – the tones feel welcoming and restful.
5. Grey and earthy reds
(Image credit: Jon Day)
A great color that goes with red is grey, and while it may sound a bit intense, it can work if you pick the right tones.
For a bold look pair deep charcoal walls with a pop of vivid red in the form of a statement sofa or armchair. And if you want a more subtle look tone down that red and choose an earthy, terracotta tone and pair it with a lighter cloud-like grey.
'If I’m using a cool-toned grey I like to use pops of a hot color,' says Annie. 'It’s a very effective way to make a room vastly more lively and rewarding to look at, and you only need small amounts of your accent color. I also love a blue-grey with terracotta as these colors contrast beautifully to give a delicious, juicy, contrast. In the past I’ve painted a wall in grey, then used terracotta tones to accentuate panels on the wall.'
'These spice-inspired colors are a big story at the moment and I love the way that they work with grey,' says Sarah. 'Use the hotter, brighter colors in moderation as more of an accent. This combination is also worth remembering if you have an exposed red brick wall inside.'
When pairing grey with any red tones, be sure that the grey you choose has a reddish undertone too.
6. Grey and sage greens
(Image credit: Billy Bolton)
Sage green has been growing in popularity for months; you see more sage green kitchens and feature walls than you do navy blue nowadays. And it works so well with grey because they have those same calming, grounding, soft tones and in fact when paired with grey this muted green almost becomes neutral too. Perfect if you want to introduce the second color to a grey room but not lose the overall serene, neutral scheme.
Pair the palest of greys with a cool, light green for a contemporary combination that works particularly well in kitchens. Then ground all those light, airy colors by adding just a hint of black or dark wood.
'For a sophisticated and fresh color combination consider introducing a palette of soft pastels to a grey interior scheme.' suggests Jane Nicholson, co-founder of House of Dome. 'This doesn’t have to be limited to just a few colors; the delicate nature of muted shades allows you to be a little more experimental.
Choose soft furnishing in mixed tones of grey with warm pinks and sage greens.'
7. Grey and navy blue
(Image credit: Paul Massey)
If you are looking for a color that effortlessly works with any grey shade, navy blue is it. Pair it with a soft, light grey to warm up the space, or create some drama with deep almost black grey.
In this blue living room, a muted mustard yellow has been introduced, which perfectly tones down all the cooler tones going on in here. Accessories like rugs and prints, and accent furniture such as coffee tables are perfect for introducing a pop of extra color.
8. Grey and orange
(Image credit: James Merrell)
A pop of vibrant orange is sure to bring freshness into an all-grey scheme. There are plenty of orange tones that the perfect to pair with grey, so you can go bold or as subtle as you like.
Burnt oranges paired with a mid-grey for example could be the perfect rustic bedroom color scheme whereas a charcoal grey and bright tangerine hue will be more modern and striking.
Whatever look you go for, introduce a clean white into an orange and grey color palette to up that contrast and make the orange stand out.
9. Grey and more grey
(Image credit: Paul Massey)
When choosing color combinations for your home, if a monochromic color scheme is more your vibe, pair grey with grey. Perhaps that sounds a bit...dull but laying grey on grey can create just as interesting a space as pairing grey with any other color. The key is contrast, contrast, and texture.
You don't want your grey shades to be too close in color and you want to have some varying tones going on too as that will add interest. So pick greys from across the color spectrum, even if you want a room to be light grey overall, add in some middle-ground greys and some dark tones too.
'Whether you are striking a dramatic note or going for a lighter scheme, combining different tones of grey can work very well,' says Sarah. 'Pale shades will create a more relaxed look, while darker, richer hues will have an impact and can enhance the cocooning feel of a compact room.
'
The risk with pairing grey with grey is that it can look a bit flat. Avoid this by adding plenty of textures and mixing in some natural materials too like rattan and wood. Accessorize with different materials and finishes too.
Sarah recommends to 'bring in brass or bronze alongside linen, velvet, or chunky knit. Another trick is to add in warm metallics and subtle shimmers on fabrics, cushions, or rugs to introduce a flattering luminosity to a space.'
Hebe is the Digital Editor of Livingetc; she has a background in lifestyle and interior journalism and a passion for renovating small spaces. You'll usually find her attempting DIY, whether it's spray painting her whole kitchen, don't try that at home, or ever changing the wallpaper in her hallway. Livingetc has been such a huge inspiration and has influenced Hebe's style since she moved into her first rental and finally had a small amount of control over the decor and now loves being able to help others make decisions when decorating their own homes.
Last year she moved from renting to owning her first teeny tiny Edwardian flat in London with her whippet Willow (who yes she chose to match her interiors...) and is already on the lookout for her next project.
13 Colors That Go With Gray
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Meet gray's most popular paint pairings.
By Alison Allsopp
DAVID TSAY
Are you the type of person who always sticks to neutrals—who can't seem to escape the best white paint colors, best brown paint colors, and best greige paint colors when it comes to decorating your home? We don't blame you! These colors are classics for a reason, and they go with almost every color. Gray is versatile enough to stand on its own, and it comes in so many different hues that you can add depth to a space by simply layering on shades of this singular color ranging from charcoal to silver.
But we urge you to step outside of your comfort zone and set yourself up for some gray-ter expectations (sorry, we had to!), which is why you shouldn't shy away from pairing your well-loved neutral interiors with pops of bold colors, patterns, and textures. We know it can be difficult to leap before you look, so we've rounded up some of our favorite homes that will reassure you that gray paint, in particular, can be paired with tons of fun colors. From lime green to cobalt blue, you'll be so inspired to try out these color combos, you might just break out the paint brushes this weekend.
HARIS KENJAR
1 of 13
Gray & Dusty Pink
Take the focus away from gray furniture by bringing muted colors into your bedroom, like this peach headboard, ochre armchair, and indigo blanket.
SHOP INDIGO BLANKETS
ANNIE SCHLECHTER
2 of 13
Gray & Lime Green
We have to admit—this pairing is quite unexpected! But a pop of lime green against off-white walls and dark gray doors is sure to put a smile on your face as you walk downstairs every morning.
SHOP LIME GREEN PAINT
Diana Paulson
3 of 13
Gray & Bright Red
A stained gray exterior allows this house in the woods to blend in with its surroundings, while bold red trim gives it major wow factor.
SHOP GRAY WOOD STAIN
DAVID TSAY
4 of 13
Gray & Cobalt Blue
The beauty of gray is that even when it's used subtly—as in the case with these painted chairs—it still stands out, especially when paired with bright colors like this cobalt blue Oushak rug.
SHOP BLUE RUGS
DAVID TSAY
5 of 13
Gray & Bold Patterns
Here, an oddly shaped attic space could have made for an awkward bedroom, but the white and gray accents and bold bird wallpaper come together for a comfortable space that guests will never want to leave.
SHOP BIRD WALLPAPER
Thomas Kuoh
6 of 13
Gray & Red, White, and Blue
If you think "neutral" is only synonymous with "white," think again.
A timeless gray is the perfect hue for kitchen cabinetry, and it's a lovely match with a patriotic palette like the one in this bold quilt-like floor tile.
SHOP PATTERNED TILE
BRIAN WOODCOCK
7 of 13
Gray & Yellow
Is there a better sight on a gray day than when the clouds part and a glimmer of sunshine peeks through? Apply that aesthetic to a bedroom with gray upholstery and yellow bedding, and you'll start every day in the right frame of mind.
SHOP SIMILAR HEADBOARD
HELEN NORMAN
8 of 13
Gray & White
Sure, white goes with everything, but there's something especially sophisticated about a nice gray paired with a crisp white as showcased in this serene bedroom. We suggest adding a little texture to a gray-and-white space with Turkish towels.
SHOP TURKISH TOWELS
RIKKI SNYDER
9 of 13
Gray & Green
Gray and green might not be the first color pairing you think of, but as evidenced by this fresh living room, the beauty of charcoal gray is enhanced by the addition of verdant green plants.
SHOP INDOOR PLANTS
DAVID TSAY
10 of 13
Gray & Natural Woods
No one can deny how great grays look next to a white shiplap, but the hue also shines when paired with natural-stained pieces like the rustic door, bench, and floor in this peaceful bedroom.
SHOP WOODEN BENCHES
Mike Garten
11 of 13
Gray & Red
Gray millwork pops against white walls in this fun bunk room and sets the stage for red accents found in the coverlets, artwork, and blankets.
SHOP PENDLETON BLANKETS
Tara Donne
12 of 13
Gray & Blue
Would the gray Swedish look good in any setting? Of course. But does it look even better when keeping time against a pretty blue wall and surrounded by blue accent pillows and rug? You bet.
SHOP SIMILAR CLOCKS
David A. Land
13 of 13
Gray & Pink
Looking for an easy way to become the toast of the neighborhood? Up your curb appeal by taking on a gray exterior and adding a pink front door.
Work on your landscaping, and you're probably a lock for yard of the month.
SHOP PINK PAINT
30+ Paint Color Ideas for Your Kitchen
Alison Allsopp Alison Allsopp is the Style and Market Editor at Country Living.
Light gray and matching
Light gray is a soft neutral shade. The combination with it - contrasting and light - look favorably in clothes and interior.
Light gray belongs to the classic shades of gray, and has all the properties inherent in it, and yet, the rays of a lighter and more youthful pull towards a positive assessment of this shade. Any light colors are associated with increased illumination, and this, in turn, is a feast of life, fertility and the absence of fear, and therefore the attitude towards them is appropriate. Gray is the middle between “light and dark”, and light gray is closer to light. Its relatives are metallic and stone tones, and the relation to the material passes to the concept of color (or, perhaps, the opposite is true: color determines properties?) reliability, protection, labor, routine work, etc.
All this is the basis of stability, which gives confidence in oneself, one's kind and further prosperity.
Shades of Light Grey, Pantone
Light gray color matches
- with golden-copper color (2) creating a contrasting combination of warm and cold, dark and light and, of course, simultaneous contrast. Although golden copper and a soft shade of orange, against a light gray background, it looks rich and attractive.
- with olive color (3) - a combination of two calm and life-affirming shades gives a relaxing range, close to the natural colors of nature. And yet, the lively green hue looks lively and playful next to the main one.
Complete the main combination with shades such as orange, white and black.
Combination of light gray with other colors
Light gray is a neutral shade, so all other shades, combined with it, come to the fore. It emphasizes their saturation, gives a light or temperature contrast, but unlike white-gray, it does not create a pastel range, so the shades that are combined with this color are almost always different in lightness.
Combination of light gray and pink. This shade goes well with both warm and cold tones of pink. It increases the expressiveness of the pink color, provided that the shade is lighter or darker than the base color. So try pairing light pink with shades like royal pink, sunset pink, magenta, fuchsia, orchid.
Combination of light gray with red. Red on a light gray background always looks better than on a darker one, due to the contrast in lightness, when a brighter or darker shade of red practically lights up against a gray background. Consider such combinations of light gray and scarlet, garnet, burgundy, port wine and maroon.
Combination of light gray and orange. Due to the fact that the main shade is light, we can afford complex shades of orange, so that we can focus on their versatility and beauty. In this regard, coral-orange shades, fiery, red-orange, red, copper are suitable: bright and with moderate saturation.
Light gray and yellow combination. This is a light and fresh combination, where it is desirable to select yellow lighter than the main shade, which will create the illusion of sun glare. From the point of view of yellow, light gray "cools" this tone, bringing the composition to a neutral perception (not annoying the psyche). Shades suitable for light gray: champagne, pale yellow, banana, yellow-orange, curry color.
Combination of light gray with warm green. It can be called affectionate, as its deep natural roots provide the basis: like stone and grass, trees and rain clouds, city and parks. Warm shades of greens greatly enliven gray. Try to combine with a light gray color to apply shades such as pistachio, light green, herbal, olive, marsh.
Combination of light gray with cool green. While warm shades of green combined with light gray enhance their vitality, dusty cold tones will look like a shade of green, giving the combination sophistication and sophistication.
To do this, try putting together a light gray color and the color of wormwood, gray-green, light gray-green, emerald or malachite.
Light gray and blue combination. Shades of blue deepen the cool feeling of light gray. Light blue tones give a certain crystallinity to the composition, dark ones - severity, and bright ones - an unexpected contrast, as if a storm was approaching a serene bright sea. Try stacking a light gray tone with blue-white, aquamarine, topaz, royal blue,
indigo.
Light gray and purple combination. If you take soft shades of purple, you can achieve some kind of retro art deco composition, which is popular in fashionable interiors, for example. In this case, purple shades bring notes of sophistication and unusualness to the gray tone, which has nothing to do with this color. Try to combine such shades of purple as blue-violet, lavender, gray-violet, charoite, grape.
Light gray and brown combination.
In order for brown and gray to make a full-fledged combination, the shades of the first must be in contrast with the second. Colors such as cinnamon, golden chestnut, chestnut, dark brown, dark chestnut are suitable for this. These colors are either much warmer than gray, or darker, thereby standing out against its background.
Light gray and neutral combination. Related neutrals can also look good next to light grey, due to light and heat contrast. Soft cream and milky colors will make the combination more delicate than the same color with white, beige shades (beige and dark beige) will add nobility and gloss, and wet asphalt color will make a classically contrasting pair with acceptable sharpness.
SEE COMPARISONS WITH SIMILAR SHADES (click on color)
Gray in the interior > color combination (psychology, range of color combinations)
Let's break the stereotype about 50 shades of gray and tell you what and how to combine it with.
For a long time, gray was associated with boring offices and government offices, but modern designers have found its secret power - to reveal muted shades and dull too bright ones. Simply put, be the perfect backdrop. Today gray is a welcome guest in the house. Like any other guest, he has his own characteristics. We will talk about them further.
Psychological perception of gray
(source: In Color Balance)
Until the beginning of the 19th century, gray was a favorite color of aristocrats and was associated with noble luxury. Today it evokes conflicting feelings: on the one hand, it is harmony, calmness and stability, on the other, fatigue, boredom and melancholy.
Gray suits people with a fast pace of life. It slows down the nervous system and calms. Color affects the functioning of the brain, helps to look at the problem without emotions, with a clear head.
The design of offices is the best proof of this.
The color gray has few devoted admirers and ardent haters - even here it remains neutral. Although pragmatists and rationalists sometimes prefer gray to everything else. But for people prone to depression, gray should be avoided - it will not give them anything but an oppressed state.
Shades of gray
Gray is infinitely versatile. For proof, we suggest refreshing the memory of school drawing lessons. Neutral gray is obtained by mixing black and white. This border color is associated with purity and freshness. Depending on the proportions, we get darker or lighter shades.
To get warm and cold shades of gray, add a mixture of diametrically opposite colors to black and white - red and blue, blue and orange, yellow and purple, or let's combine the famous trio of red, green and blue.
As promised, we are destroying the ingrained stereotype - there are more than 50 shades of gray.
And even more than 250. Alas, their exact number cannot be calculated using the most cunning mathematical calculations. But most of the shades have very poetic names, which arose mainly due to associations: London fog, thundercloud, wet stone, river mother-of-pearl.
What colors go with
Gray is the new beige, designers say. It, like other neutral colors (white, black, beige, brown, ivory) is combined with all shades of the color wheel. Moreover, gray brings harmony to the interior - it highlights muted tones, and balances too saturated tones. Let's look at the most popular combinations and solutions.
1. Gray and beige
Combination of practical gray and warm beige at the peak of popularity. Their mixture gave the world a new fashionable color - greydzh (from the English gray - gray and beige - beige). It looks best in the bedroom or living room, creating a cozy and calm atmosphere.
We love the combination of light gray and ivory. It turns out soft and sophisticated. If desired, it can be diluted with color accents, interesting textures or patterned textiles.
2. Gray and pink
Gray and pink complement and emphasize each other: the first becomes less formal, the second acquires the missing expressiveness.
The combination of caramel pink and light gray is perfect for a nursery or a small living room. White and beige will help to shade the primary colors.
Do you want to express your interior? Graphite and mauve will help you out. Usually gray is the background, but in this case, distribute the saturated active colors evenly.
3. Gray and yellow
Gray and yellow must be handled with care.
They look good together, but in some combinations they are not friendly with each other. Designers have been trying to reconcile this couple since the 60s of the last century.
Yellow color improves brain activity and improves mood, so diluting it with a neutral gray interior is a great solution. However, the combination of bright yellow and dark gray can create a tense atmosphere, while the combination of light gray and pastel yellow can look dull, as seen in the photo above.
Yellow catches the eye. Make it an accent and dilute it with another color (for example, green or black), and diversify the gray background with white. You get an impressive combination of two primary and two accent colors.
4. Gray and blue
Gray and blue is a rather strict combination. It looks great in your home office or bathroom. Blue color calms and suppresses aggression, and also increases concentration.
Take note - the darker the blue, the lighter the gray should be. And vice versa.
5. Gray and red
Red is quite aggressive and can cause irritation, so the combination of gray and red also requires caution. It's for an amateur. For example, the union of dark red and graphite looks very beautiful and elegant, but it does not smell of comfort here. Try to add details - the result will surprise you.
Gray and red are suitable for bathroom decoration. The combination of a gray background, red accessories and white glossy plumbing looks impressive. Most importantly, keep in mind the rule - accent red should occupy about 10% of the color gamut.
Another successful combination is cream/beige/coffee au lait + light gray + shallow shades of red. This is a simple recipe for creating a very delicate and unusual interior.
Gray in the kitchen interior
For a small kitchen, choose light gray, gray blue or gray beige tones.
They visually increase the space and refresh the interior. Dark shades are best not to use. The exception is an accent wall in a well-lit room.
Gray walls and floors make a great backdrop for bright furniture. Warm colors (especially yellow, orange and olive) create a cozy atmosphere and promote appetite. Dishes and textiles will help to add more rich colors.
Decorating a gray kitchen has many advantages, but there are also disadvantages. For convenience, we have compiled a small table.
Gray living room interior
The atmosphere of the living room should be conducive to rest, relaxation and unhurried conversations. Gray does a great job with these functions, but there is a risk of making the environment dull.
3-4 bright spots of color are enough to solve the problem.
It can be furniture, indoor plants, paintings, figurines. For the greatest contrast, use bright and juicy shades: orange, red, green, purple, blue.
Gray - the color of metal and concrete. These materials look good in contrast with upholstered furniture, carpets and wooden textures, so it is suitable for decorating a living room in a minimalist, loft or high-tech style.
Gray color in the interior of the bedroom
Neutral, calm gray color protects from external negative influences and strong irritants, and also reduces stress levels. What is not a weighty reason to choose it for decorating a bedroom?
We already know that gray is the perfect partner for brighter shades. However, each combination is unique and affects the individual differently. When choosing a color scheme, first of all think about the atmosphere you want to create.
