Gray walls accent color
design experts' favorite color pairings |
(Image credit: Future)
Choosing accent colors for gray is an art form that is explained perfectly here. When decorating any room in your home, you might feel like there's something missing and that could well be an accent color. This technique of adding in an unexpected shade in small areas of the room is one of the quickest ways to add drama to a space, while creating a harmonious scheme.
Decorating with gray has been de rigueur in interior design for many years now. Undeniably the enduring neutral, this cool color adds a sophisticated edge, elegance and a refinement to a room, and is a go-to for anyone who wants an easy-to-live with tone that's easy to color scheme and redecorate around, but what are the accent colors for gray?
Getting accent color ideas spot on isn’t always simple. Here, design experts tell us their favorite no-fail, classic and brave accent colors for gray, plus color trends and room color ideas for the year ahead.
Accent colors for gray
We’ve asked a panel of industry experts for their views on what accent colors work well with gray for them – using a color wheel will help you get it right.
1. Pair gray with yellow in an entryway
(Image credit: Little Greene)
Paint ideas are the perfect way to transform a space quickly and easily, adding personality and character to create an inspired interior, says Ruth Mottershead, creative director of Little Greene .
'Natural wood and textures combine beautifully with more neutral interiors, tonal in color, they add an additional layer of depth and interest,' says Ruth Mottershead. 'Adding a sliver of a brighter shade such as ‘Marigold’, which looks fantastic as a thick stripe echoing the architectural line of the balustrade, will really lift the space and give a revitalizing color highlight.'
2. Team maroon with a pale gray to add depth
(Image credit: Kitesgrove)
'Decorating with gray is a versatile color to scheme with as it can carry cooler and warmer tones such green, blue and pinks which can successfully offset and balance other colors,' says Katie Lion, senior interior designer at Kitesgrove . 'Here we wanted to draw upon the warmer pink undertones on the gray fabric headboard and balance this with a rich maroon to add depth and interest in the space. This balance of gray and maroon work particularly well in a bedroom as it is warm and enveloping without overpowering the space.'
3. Choose caramel for an inviting feel
(Image credit: Lindye Galloway Studio + Shop/Chad Mellon)
'Caramel works well with almost everything,' says Lindye Galloway, founder and chief creative officer at Lindye Galloway Studio + Shop . 'I specifically love the way it works with gray but it can also be complementary to white, off-white, brown, blush, even yellow, teal, and orange. The color combination of gray and caramel makes a space feel very inviting in most settings, and works extremely well in Mid-century modern spaces with rich caramel wood furniture.'
4. Offset mid-grays with ivory in a contemporary space
(Image credit: Carpetright)
Although there has been a move towards bolder colors, beige and neutral flooring remain at the heart of most homes; providing a perfect base whilst allowing design enthusiasts to be adventurous and creative in the rest of their space.
'Gray interiors have become increasingly popular over recent years, with gray flooring giving a scheme a base that can easily be brightened or toned down with furniture and accessories,' says Punam Chada, carpet buyer at Carpetright .
5. For a smart contemporary edge, choose off-black
(Image credit: Neptune)
Daring and decadent, black bedroom ideas can be difficult to get right, but once mastered, they can add an elegant confidence to your space like no other color, especially when paired with gray.
'If you’re looking for something contemporary, black is a good way to go,' says George Miller, home designer at Neptune . 'Painted woodwork is a nice means of exploring this accent color – our off-black shade Charcoal really modernizes our classic Wardley four poster bed. We’ve also welcomed a new Warm Black paint to our collection, it's deep, enveloping and a little softer than other blacks.'
6. Create contrast with barely black, slate gray and coral
(Image credit: Little Greene)
As well as working well with whites that lift, neutral shades can also be easily combined with darker colors, and this is a great way to bring warmth and intimacy to any space. Darker colors work really well in small rooms with very little light to create a sense of coziness.
'Here ‘Basalt’ seems almost black and balances beautifully with ‘French Grey Pale’, a fabulous alternative to white that is neither too warm nor too cold and therefore very flexible in lots of different lights and spaces, whilst 'Orange Aurora' brings a touch of coral to the painted stool, and is a welcome splash of contrasting color,' says Ruth Mottershead, creative director at Little Greene .
7. Play with light and dark for a striking look
(Image credit: Urbanology/Turnbow Photography)
Steel gray and stone are an excellent combination if you wish to create a contemporary feel. This rustic dining room has a mixture of classic and modern style furniture so painting the walls in two shades carries that design aspect through perfectly. Painting the darker color on the bottom half of the walls grounds the look and makes the room still feel spacious.
8.
Warm a mid-gray bedroom with mustard(Image credit: Neptune)
'Gray bedroom ideas have been a popular choice for interiors for some time as it pairs well with so many other colors, although settling on accents isn’t always easy, ochre shades, like our Mustard paint and Isla Finch velvet, will soften any cold undertones that your grey scheme may have,' says George Miller, home designer at Neptune .
9. Use a winning combination of blue and gray
(Image credit: Mylands/Middleton Kitchens)
Thanks to the tonal versatility of these universally loved colors, blue and gray pair beautifully together for your kitchen color ideas. 'For example, Mylands’ deep blue Bond Street™ No. 219, shown here in a striking space by Middleton Kitchens, is a bold and intense color and it pairs perfectly with neutral colors, particularly lighter shades of gray, which help to counter balance the visual impact of the deep blue,' says Dominic Mylands, CEO of Mylands .
10.
Try charcoal gray with a gentle green for a calming bathroom(Image credit: Little Greene)
For a calm and relaxing gray bathroom idea, charcoal grays such as ‘Vulcan’ provide a cocooning sense of warmth. It contrasts perfectly with the white elements within this bathroom, creating a spa-like feel, keeping it fresh and elegant. 'At the other end of the spectrum, it also pairs very well with a muted green, such as ‘Livid’, shown here on the bath and window sill,' says Ruth Mottershead, creative director at Little Greene .
What accent color goes with gray?
The best accent colors that go with gray are the ones that sing out. Surprisingly, you can go very wrong when decorating with grey. For example, a one-grey scheme will look flat and uninviting, so ensure you introduce other grays, neutrals and warmer shades with accent colors, layering and texture in interior design. Equally, decorating with gray and primary colors or pastel colors will look wrong – the best matches are earthy, natural shades that add an element of warmth to your scheme.
Sophie has been an interior stylist and journalist for over 20 years and has worked for many of the main interior magazines during that time, both in-house and as a freelancer. On the side, as well as being the News Editor for indie magazine, 91, she trained to be a florist in 2019 and launched The Prettiest Posy where she curates beautiful flowers for modern weddings and events. For H&G, she writes features about interior design – and is known for having an eye for a beautiful room.
What Color Accent Wall Goes with Gray? (16 Options)
Gray is a popular color for walls, but it can be difficult to know what color to paint the accent wall. There are many different colors that can be paired with gray, and it really depends on your personal preference.
In this blog post, we will discuss some of the best options for accent walls when you have gray walls. We will also provide some tips on how to choose the right color for your space. So if you’re looking for ideas on how to spruce up your gray walls, read on!
Related: What Color Furniture Goes with Gray Walls: 11 Best Options for a Cohesive Look
In this article:
- Best accent wall colors to pair with gray
- 1. Black accent walls
- 2. Blue accent walls
- 3. Brass accent walls
- 4. Brown accent walls
- 5. Cerulean accent walls
- 6. Cobalt accent walls
- 7. Gold accent walls
- 8. Green accent walls
- 9. Navy accent walls
- 10. Orange accent walls
- 11. Pink accent walls
- 12. Rose accent walls
- 13. Sapphire accent walls
- 14. Taupe accent walls
- 15. White accent walls
- 16. Yellow accent walls
- What color accent wall goes with gray furniture?
- Which accent wall color is best for a bedroom?
- What color accent wall goes with gray floor?
- What accent color goes with gray walls and brown furniture?
- What color accent wall goes with gray in living room?
- What accent color goes with gray and black?
- What color accent wall goes with light gray?
- What accent wall goes with gray carpet?
- What colors compliment gray walls?
- How to choose the right color for the accent wall?
Best accent wall colors to pair with gray
1.
Black accent wallsBlack accent walls are a popular choice for gray walls. They provide a strong contrast and can really make the space stand out. If you’re looking for a dramatic look, black is definitely the way to go. However, it’s important to note that black can be quite overwhelming, so make sure that the other colors in the room are light and neutral.
2. Blue accent walls
Blue accent walls are a popular choice for gray rooms because they create a sense of calm and tranquility. Blue accent walls are a great way to add depth and texture in your gray room.
Blue accent wall colors include navy blue, royal blue, turquoise, sky blue and all shades of green.
They provide a nice contrast and can really make the space pop. However, it’s important to note that blue accent walls tend to stand out more than other colors, so make sure you have a good balance of color in your room before painting one area completely blue.
3. Brass accent walls
Brass accent walls are a popular choice for gray rooms because they create a sense of warmth and luxury. Brass accent walls offer a unique texture that can really make your gray room stand out.
Brass accent wall colors include gold, yellow, and orange. If you want to add a pop of color to your gray room, consider using one of these colors for your accent wall.
4. Brown accent walls
Brown accent walls are a great option for gray rooms because they create a cozy and comfortable atmosphere. Brown accent walls can be paired with any color, but work best with warmer colors like red, orange, or yellow.
If you’re looking for a classic look, consider using brown as your accent wall color.
5. Cerulean accent walls
Cerulean accent walls are a great choice for gray rooms because they add a touch of color and brightness. Cerulean is a versatile color that can be paired with many different colors, but looks best with complementary colors like orange or yellow.
If you want to inject some life into your gray room, consider using cerulean accent walls.
Related: What Color Trim Goes with Gray Walls? (25 Ideas)
6.
Cobalt accent wallsCobalt accent walls are a great choice for gray rooms because they add depth and sophistication to any space. Cobalt accent wall colors include blue, violet, purple, and green.
7. Gold accent walls
Gold accent walls are a great choice for gray rooms because they add warmth and luxury. Gold accent wall colors include yellow, orange, red, pink or bronze.
If you’re looking for a classic look in your gray room, consider using gold accent walls!
8. Green accent walls
Green accent walls are a great choice for gray rooms because they add a touch of nature and freshness to any space. Green accent wall colors include olive green, hunter green, mint green, and lime green.
If you want to create a relaxing environment in your gray room, consider using green accent walls.
9. Navy accent walls
Navy accent walls are a great way to add some color to your gray room. They can really brighten up the space and make it feel more inviting. Plus, navy is such a versatile color that it will go with just about any other color you choose for your room.
10. Orange accent walls
If you want to add a pop of color to your gray room, an orange accent wall is a great option. It will add some warmth to the space and make it feel more cozy. Plus, orange is such a happy color that it will brighten up the whole room.
11. Pink accent walls
A pink accent wall is also versatile because it works well in both modern and traditional spaces, from the bedroom to the living room or dining area. If you want something bolder than an all-pink accent wall but are still looking for a rosy hue, try a dusty rose or salmon color. These shades add just the right amount of warmth and femininity to any room without being too overpowering.
12. Rose accent walls
If you are looking for something a bit more neutral, try an accent wall in rose gold or blush. These shades of pink will add warmth to your space without being too bold and can be paired with other colors like blue and green.
13. Sapphire accent walls
Sapphire accent walls are a great option for those who want something bold without being too bright. If you choose to go with this shade, be sure not to add any other color into the space; it will only accentuate what you already have going on there!
14. Taupe accent walls
Taupe is a great color to use as an accent wall because it pairs well with both warm and cool tones. This versatile hue can be used in spaces like the bedroom, living room, or kitchen without feeling too overpowering. If you want to add some interest to your accent wall, try using different textures or patterns on it!
15. White accent walls
White accent walls are a popular choice for many homes. They can brighten up a space and create a sense of openness. However, if your home already has a lot of white, you may want to consider going with another color for your accent wall.
16. Yellow accent walls
Yellow accent walls are great for bringing warmth and cheerfulness into any room. Yellow is also an excellent accent color when paired with gray. For example, a light yellow accent wall would look amazing against dark gray walls!
What color accent wall goes with gray furniture?
If you have gray furniture, it’s important to choose an accent wall color that will complement it. Some good options include black, navy blue, or dark green. These colors can create a bold and sophisticated look in any room. Alternatively, if you’re looking for a more subtle accent color, try light pink or beige.
Which accent wall color is best for a bedroom?
When it comes to accent walls, bedrooms are the perfect place to experiment! You can go with almost any color you want in a bedroom, but some of our favorites include blue, green, and purple. These colors can create a relaxing and soothing environment in your bedroom.
What color accent wall goes with gray floor?
If you have gray flooring, your accent wall color options are a bit more limited. However, black and dark brown are both excellent choices that will create a dramatic look in any room. Alternatively, if you want to add some contrast to your space, try light blue or pale pink. These colors can brighten up a room and make it seem larger.
Related: What Color Floors Go With Gray Walls? (25 Ideas)
What accent color goes with gray walls and brown furniture?
If you have gray walls, accent colors such as red or orange can add some excitement to your space. Alternatively, if you’re looking for a more subtle accent color, try tan or beige. These colors will complement the brown furniture in your home and create a warm and inviting atmosphere.
What color accent wall goes with gray in living room?
The best accent colors for living rooms are blue and green. These colors can create a relaxing atmosphere that is perfect for entertaining guests or watching TV with family members. If you want to add some contrast, try red accent walls instead of gray ones! Alternatively, if you’re looking for a more subtle accent color, try beige or tan accent walls instead.
What accent color goes with gray and black?
If you have gray walls, accent colors such as red, orange or yellow can add some excitement to your space.
What color accent wall goes with light gray?
If you have light gray accent walls, these are the colors that you should consider using to accent them:
-A pale pink or peach.
-A soft green, such as a light olive green or mint green.
-A muted lavender or purple color.
-A light blue, such as baby blue or powder blue.
What accent wall goes with gray carpet?
For accent walls, grey carpet goes well with dark accent walls to make the gray stand out against it; however, if you have light accent walls, a lighter shade of accent wall will go better.
What colors compliment gray walls?
There are lots of accent colors that compliment gray walls. They include: Deep reds, blues and yellows; Orange or pink accent colors.
How to choose the right color for the accent wall?
When choosing an accent color, it is important to consider the other colors in the room. If there are a lot of bright colors, then a dark accent wall would be best. If there are mostly neutrals with a few pops of color, then go for a light accent wall. No matter what color you choose, make sure that it is in line with the overall style of your home.
If you’re looking for a more subtle accent wall, try using a light blue or pale pink. These colors will still add some personality to the room without being too overpowering. Just make sure that the rest of the decor matches well with these accent walls so that your accent wall doesn’t look out of place.
Looking for a more dramatic accent wall? Try using a bold orange or red. These colors are sure to make an impact and will definitely be noticed by anyone who enters the room! You can even combine them together if you want something really unique and special.
psychology, combinations, design application
02/18/2020
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The interior in gray tones can be called one of the classic and time-tested options for interior design. This color, as one of the basic tones of the palette, goes well with various shades and can be successfully applied in a variety of style solutions.
The psychology of gray and its possibilities in the interior
Gray color in the interior, according to psychologists, tend to choose calm and balanced personalities, for whom inner peace and tranquility have special weight. This color is ideal for decorating bedrooms, recreation areas and relaxation. It does not irritate the human visual receptors, allows the brain to relax and reduces the level of anxiety and stress.
The gray color in the design provides a lot of scope for the use of various bright accents. It is not only an excellent background for them, but also to a large extent muffles excessive variegation and softens even the richest colors in the decor. For this reason, it is quite common as a base tone in the design of not only rooms, but also clothing.
When creating an interior with the inclusion of the color in question, the level of illumination of the room is of paramount importance. The lack of natural light and ill-conceived artificial lighting will make the room gloomy and depressing. Therefore, when working on a project, special attention should be paid to the study of the lighting scenario of the interior.
Gray shades and combinations
Gray has many gradations, each of which is able to reveal the interior in its own way:
- The light shade refers to the basic tones that are easy to fit into almost any style. It visually expands the room, fills it with air and light. It is ideal for creating a room in the style of a classic, Provence, minimalism, hi-tech.
- The dark version, on the contrary, narrows the room, gives it intimacy and intimacy. Recommended for large rooms or as a highlight of one accent wall. Fits into a minimalist, modern or loft interior.
- The addition of blue and purple gives complex mix combinations, the abundance of which in a room can make it difficult to perceive. It is better to use such shades as additional ones, for example, for textiles.
- Silver is associated with a space theme, can be used in the design of high-tech rooms or a themed children's room for a young explorer and inventor.
Gray is one of the friendliest shades and is successfully combined with almost the entire palette of colors. Each new combination of gray in the interior will have its own visual and psychological effect, which should be considered when creating a room design project:
- With blue, turquoise. A calm combination that brings a feeling of coolness and freshness. Ideal for bedrooms.
- Purple, pink. A delicate palette for creating relaxing and sensual interiors. Suitable for decorating private rooms for girls or young women.
- With red, orange. An inspiring and passionate combination. It will be acceptable in the kitchen, living room in retro style or modern interiors.
- With yellow, mustard. The optimistic combination, brightness and sunshine of yellow shades against the background of a gray base is revealed in the best way. A good combination to decorate any room.
- With beige, green. Soothing ecological combinations. Good for classic or Scandinavian styles.
Use of gray in various styles
Shades of gray belong to the basic tones, which allows them to be included in almost all existing interior styles. The undoubted advantage is neutrality and good compatibility with other tones. By choosing gray as the basis of the interior and diluting it with new shades each time, it will be possible to update the interior of the room in fairly simple and economical ways.
In every interior style, the use of shades of gray has its own characteristics.
Hi-tech
A modern high-tech interior implies an abundance of grayish tones in various shades and textures:
- metal;
- glass;
- stone;
- concrete.
Modern designers actively complement a diverse palette from light to dark shades with natural wood and living plants to create a warmer and more comfortable space.
Loft
The urban style, which represents the adaptation of factory premises to residential apartments, includes shades of gray in its main palette along with brick ocher. In a loft interior, you can allow the use of fairly dark shades, such as graphite.
The loft makes it possible to use almost unlimited shades of the discussed color in the interior, not only as decoration for walls, floors and ceilings, but also in furniture, accessories and textiles.
Classic
The classic interior, with its restraint in textures and shades, tends to use light tones of the color in question. They can be used as wall cladding or upholstered furniture. The most common combinations for a classic style will be combinations with beige, pastel shades of green, pink and blue.
Scandinavian Eco
The traditional Scandinavian interior involves painting the plastered walls with white paint with the addition of gray and yellow colors. The resulting light shade perfectly reflects sunlight, creates the illusion of a large and bright space. Living plants, natural wood furniture, cotton and wool textiles are in perfect harmony with it.
Often used in Scandinavian interiors and dark shades of gray. They are used for furniture and interior items, bringing contrast to the overall bright image of the room.
Country and Provence
Styles close to nature actively include natural shades of gray in their palettes. As a rule, these are quite light gradations of color, acting as a basic background for painting walls or furniture. To create a rustic style, it is diluted with traditional textiles with printed patterns or small checks, an abundance of small decor and paintings.
Rich burgundy and green colors will be good companions to gray shades in Provence or country style. Such combinations are classic for these interiors.
Gray interior in various rooms
The use of gray has its own characteristics depending on the purpose of the room:
- The living room should be comfortable, conducive to rest and relaxation. Combinations with beige, green shades are suitable. Particular attention should be paid to the lighting of the room, having worked out spot light options to create various lighting scenarios: from solemn to intimate.
- A kitchen in shades of gray can be both modern and classic. It is worthwhile to carefully consider the style solution of household appliances and pay attention to the color palette of decorative elements. The mood of the kitchen will depend on their choice: from relaxing to energetic.
- The bedroom in this color will be the perfect place to sleep and relax. It is recommended to use combinations with muted pastel shades and avoid excessively dark color spots.
- The children's room should be bright, so you should not use dark shades of color. The advantage of gray walls in a child's room will be the special ability of this color to smooth out the variegation of the decor used in the room. Even the abundance of multi-colored toys against the background of gray walls will not cause a feeling of chaos and disorder.
- The entrance area in grayish shades can be created in a modern or loft design. It will be interesting to combine the color in question with the texture of brick or natural stone.
- A bathroom in muted greyish shades can become an oasis of peace. It is not recommended to create the interior of this room completely in this color with a small area of \u200b\u200bthe room, as it will create a feeling of tightness and pressure.
When creating an interior with the inclusion of gray, it is worth remembering both the advantages of the shade and the complexities that it brings. A competent approach to interior design and following our advice will help create an unforgettable and harmonious project for any room.
10 Successful Accent Colors for Gray Interiors
Video lists all the accent colors for gray interiors
1 Red
Shades of deep cool red are great for creating accents in light gray interiors. If the room has good lighting, red can be used in several elements. For example, in a rack, a pattern on sofa cushions, small decor on shelves, a coffee table. In this case, it is better not to focus the accents in one part of the room, but evenly distribute it over the entire area.
Instagram: @belwood_ru
Instagram: @belwood_ru
2 Emerald
Intense emerald will successfully complement a space with a lot of light gray surfaces. It will add life to the interior, but at the same time leave the color palette restrained and muted. Indoor plants will be the best addition. Choose large species and place them close to a colored wall or large furniture so that the green hues echo.
Instagram: @bhibuoriginal
Instagram: @bhibuoriginal
3 Terracotta
Terracotta is warm and will help soften a cold gray interior. Use it in the dining room, bedroom or living room. To enhance the feeling of coziness, introduce terracotta through textiles: sofa and armchair upholstery, curtains and bedding.
Instagram: @rindes_studio
Instagram: @9.18buro
4 Turquoise
Gray tones are expressively combined with the blue-green shade of the sea wave. It is quite subdued and does not create visual noise. Therefore, it is suitable for interior decoration in loft or minimalist styles. But at the same time, turquoise makes the space brighter and deeper. Try to choose an unusual place for him so that even more attention is paid to him. For example, you can paint in a turquoise ceiling.
Instagram: @ancconcept
Instagram: @ancconcept
5 Grass Green
A soft green with a lot of yellow that seems to glow from within. And therefore, it will help to balance the interior in dark shades of gray that seem cold and gloomy. Enter it into the space through the upholstery of large upholstered furniture and complement it with golden accessories.
Instagram: @berdnikovadiz
Instagram: @berdnikovadiz
6 Peach
Peach shade will soften the gray interior well and add color to it. You can use it to visually change the space. For example, make two stripes at the top of a light gray wall: dark gray and peach. This technique will visually raise the ceilings.
Instagram: @ancconcept
Instagram: @ancconcept
7 Golden
Golden hues pleasantly echo light and dark gray tones, making the interior more elegant and expensive.