Grey living room with color accents
20 Colors That Go With Gray
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Keep it neutral—or not.
By Emma Bazilian and Hadley Mendelsohn
Christian Harder
There's a right shade of gray for any room, from the palest silver to dark charcoal. Designers love the chameleon-like hue for its ability to lean warm, cool, or simply strike the perfect balance between the two. The best grays also change with the light throughout the day, adding depth and visual interest to your interior. Gray's neutral character also makes it the ideal partner for other colors. Whether you're looking to create a serene tone-on-tone environment or find a piece of furniture that'll really stand out, here are some of our favorite colors to pair with gray.
Francesco Lagnese
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Light Green
Philip Smith was in search of a table when “a friend of mine’s mother passed," he says, adding, "I adored her, and when my friend went through her things she said, ‘there’s a table here with your name on it! I was nearly in tears. ” The gray-blue patina looks beautiful next to the chrome chairs and green-gray wall paint.
Thijs de Leeuw/Space Content/Living Inside
2 of 20
Bright Orange
Atelier ND transformed a stair landing into a special reading nook with vintage Ligne Roset chair (it was the only thing that would fit under the sloped ceiling!) and then color-blocked with electric orange and complementary gray-green paint color.
Bjorn Wallander
3 of 20
Black and Greige
Light griege, black accents, and brass fixtures create a beautiful, polished mood in this living room designed by Ray Attanasio.
Frank Frances Studio
4 of 20
Marigold
We're loving the pops of jewel tones in this living room designed by Courtney McLeod. Bold shades of marigold and magenta are softened by the warm gray walls.
Paul Raeside
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Sapphire
The gray, swirling clouds in Anne Hepfer's dining room—papered in a Cole & Son Fornasetti print—feel anything but bleak with the addition of punchy blues.
Christian Harder
6 of 20
Light Pink and Brass
Gold and coral tones warm up the charcoal sofa and light gray painted walls in this living room designed by Alison Victoria.
Patrick Cline
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Orchid
With its vibrant purple rug and charcoal gray cabinets, this Nicole Fuller-designed office makes work feel like play.
KARYN R. MILLET
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Fern Green
Verdant, leafy green and trelliswork makes this pale gray office designed by Joe Lucas feel like an enchanted garden.
Bjorn Wallander
9 of 20
Hot Pink and Orange
A dose of muted pewter grounds the bold pink and orange textiles in Molster's bedroom.
Paul Raeside
10 of 20
Sky Blue
Pale-blue bedding and silk-wrapped walls make this bedroom designed by Michael Maher an utterly serene escape.
Paul Raeside
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Russet
Walls and ceiling in Benjamin Moore's Nightfall—an almost-black shade of charcoal—provide a moody backdrop for the russet red sofa in Andrew Flesher's 300-year-old Westchester colonial.
David A. Land
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Gold
In House Beautiful's 2019 Whole Home, design whiz Vern Yip showed how deep shades of golden yellow and brass can add glamour to layers of gray.
Björn Wallander
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Rose
Designer Janie Molster's Richmond, VA, home has a base of soft gray. The antique settee is covered in Schumacher’s Gainsborough pink velvet. The armchair is Lee Industries, and the chandelier is antique.
Gieves Anderson
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Neutrals
David Frazier divided the main living room into two distinct zones, one for lounging and visiting, and one for dining and working. The large pendant light and antique pieces personalize the more generic bones of the building, and a super-light shade of gray paint makes for a more interesting impression than plain white.
Grey Crawford
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Taupe
Jeff Andrews used a spectrum of warm grays and taupes to keep his living room feeling cozy, not cold.
Victoria Pearson
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White
A neutral-toned bedroom by Frances Merrill of Reath Designs captures Ojai, California’s laid-back vibe. “This couple made it clear that they wanted a very calm bedroom,” she says. “It’s quiet, but with a focus on texture. It really does feel like such an escape.”
Thomas Loof
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Brass
Sheets of unlacquered brass warm up this Brooklyn kitchen designed by Asa Barak and Garrow Kedigian.
Thomas Loof
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Cerulean
Midcentury furniture with custom cerulean upholstery energize a quiet gray study designed by Wesley Moon.
TK
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Navy
The quiet gray palette of a San Francisco row house “allows for strong punches of color,” explains Benjamin Dhong, who used navy-and-white nautical accents in this bedroom.
Stephen Kent Johnson
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Brown
Boston designer Nina Farmer used rich tones of brown and sepia to warm up the Phlip Jeffries silk-and-abaca-clad bedroom of this historic Boston house.
Discover the Best Colors to Pair With Red at Home
Emma Bazilian Senior Features Editor Emma Bazilian is a writer and editor covering interior design, market trends and culture.
Hadley Mendelsohn Senior Editor Hadley Mendelsohn is House Beautiful's senior design editor and the co-host and executive producer of the podcast Dark House.
44 grey living room ideas from dove to charcoal to suit every scheme
If there's one interiors trend that's showing no signs of leaving us anytime soon, it has to be the grey palette. It's no surprise that grey living room ideas appeal to so many of us. An incredibly versatile colour, it comes in shades that work with every style.
Whichever style of living room ideas you're looking for in your home, there's sure to be a grey to suit your scheme. Grey can create a warm scheme as easily as a cool one; it can channel edgy modern and charming country; be calm and soothing or vivid, lively and energetic.
‘The term ‘grey’ covers a huge number of colours which are often not true greys but contain colours that create distinct warm or cool undertones,’ explains Joa Studholme, Colour Curator, Farrow & Ball .
‘When it comes to choosing grey, it is the temperature of the tone that is most important and will affect the feel of the space. Greys look different in different light and different size rooms so we have created some tried and tested groups of colours that each have a distinctive character.’
Just a quick peek at a Farrow & Ball paint chart suggests the myriad possibilities of this favourite decorating shade and explains its enduring appeal.
From the barely-there neutrals of Dimity and Ammonite, to the mid tones of Lamp Room Gray and Calluna, through the green-edged Mizzle and Pigeon, blue-hued Parma Gray and Lulworth Blue and out the other side to deep dark Down Pipe, Plummett and Brassica.
Grey living room ideas
From a colour drenched scheme, to perfect palette pairings, here are some of our favourite grey living room ideas
1.
Make gallery walls pop(Image credit: Future PLC/ Katie Leew)
We love the gallery wall look - mixing and matching prints, photography and even empty picture frames. Grey walls are the perfect backdrop for creating these. As it's a neutral, this allows the gallery details to pop and create impact. Choosing a deep charcoal over a paler dove will make a cool contrast=, especially if you're using gilt frames.
2. Pair with purple for a luxurious look
(Image credit: Future PLC/Rob Sanderson)
Think elegant luxe and combine grey with regal purple tones. This colour combination is a match made in interiors heaven, especially when used across sumptous materials like satins and velvets.
This combination works best using a paler grey, with creates a bold contrast with bright purples, and a soft effect with gentle lilacs.
3. Choose a two-tone style
(Image credit: Future PLC/ James French)
Can't choose between light and dark grey? Simple.
Use both. Paint the lower half, or two thirds of your wall in one shade, and finish with the other.
This works best when the darker shade is on the lower half. Lighter colours above will trick the eye into making the room appear larger than it is.
4. Paint architectural features
(Image credit: Future PLC/ Colin Poole)
If you have wall panels or other architectural details in your room, paint them the same grey as the wall. Not only does this create a cool colour drenched effect, but the ridges will pick up lights and shadows, adding interest and depth to your space.
5. Add colour with books and objets
(Image credit: Future PLC/ Anna Stathaki)
Grey living room ideas are the perfect way to decorate your home if you own a lot of colourful accessories. A warmer and more interesting background than white, this neutral allows your books and objets room to breathe and stand out, rather than clashing against yet another colour.
6.
Paint all the woodwork(Image credit: Pooky)
A super-soft dove grey living room colour scheme works as a gentle contrast to rosy toned upholstery and accents. Painting all of the woodwork in the same colour has created a chic, seamless look and creates the illusion of more space and an airy, open room.
Take care when picking the best grey paint for your walls – you'll need to consider your room's size and situation.
7. Use silvery tones
(Image credit: Future PLC/ Joanna Henderson)
The striking rough-luxe wall mural brings texture and movement to the space. The metallic highlights of the silky silver rug and wallcovering reflect the light, giving this glam living room even more of a lift.
A plush velvet sofa in a deeper grey punctuates the space and layers on the luxe. Combining touches of blush pink with the cool grey creates grown-up sophistication.
If you like this combination, or the previous look, our smart pink living room ideas will inspire you to introduce the shade into your home.
8. Create a textured wall
(Image credit: Furniture Village)
Get creative with smart living room paint ideas such as paint effects, which are back in fashion! But things have moved on since the sponge effect championed on Changing Rooms. Textured emulsion paint such as the Craig & Rose Artisan Concrete Effect Paint and Crown ’s Suede paint will create a rustic, artfully imperfect finish.
Alternatively, a limed effect can be created using watered down flat matt emulsion, chalk paint or a specialist limewash such as Bauwerk 's selection.
Start by applying a bonding primer for plasterboard or previously painted walls. Then with a wide brush, apply the paint in random, sweeping strokes. A second and third coat needs to be watered down to allow the layers and textured effect to build.
Complement the walls with tactile velvet, layered in tonal hues for a vibe that’s calm, yet cost and oozes easy elegance.
9. Let architectural features pop
(Image credit: Dulux)
It's common to want to hide architectural features such as RSJs.
But in a grey room, letting them sing by painting them in white can create an interesting structural contrast. It also helps zone the space and therefore make it seem cosier – a neat trick, particularly if you're using a cooler grey palette.
10. Integrate shelving
(Image credit: Dunelm)
Smart and sophisticated, charcoal grey brings depth to an elegant living room. Smart geometric designs on the cushions and rug along with polished chrome accents bring a timeless touch of boutique chic to the space.
Create the illusion of expensive, built-in storage by painting shelving the same colour as the walls. For example, alcoves can become a smart feature wall idea that's easy to adjust. But sticking to a simple palette of black, white and silver reflects the pared back aesthetic of the room.
11. Use grey as an accent
(Image credit: Sofa.com)
If wall-to-wall grey isn’t for you, inject modern anthracite accents. A sofa in warm grey is not only a fail-safe style choice, it's a practical option too.
Tie in other features around the room such as fireplace surround, door or windows.
Floor to ceiling wooden framed windows are a striking feature, and grey will pick them out against neutral walls, highlighting the shape and detailing. If you don't have wooden framed doors or windows, UPVC windows can also be painted, just look for a specialist primer or paint for durability.
12. Lift your grey scheme with a mix of sorbet brights
(Image credit: Future PLC/ Joanna Henderson)
If you are not a fan of washed out sorbet tones but the idea of primary brights scare you to bits, why not try a punchy-pastel alternative. Think Primrose yellow, not lemon sorbet and blues that veer towards turquoise rather than soft powder blue.
Choose a neutral grey colour to allow you to experiment with the palette on artwork and accessories.
13. Add depth with different shades
(Image credit: Future PLC/ Colin Poole)
Use a variety of greys to give depth to your grey living room.
Use a lighter, warmer grey when painting the walls and layer darker saturations with a painted fireplace surround and statement furniture pieces. Layering the same colour in different tones creates a calming atmosphere that feels cohesive.
Soft grey and dark charcoals are both equally enhanced with the addition of some natural greens, whether real foliage or as accent soft furnishings. The flourish of green helps to connect the space with a sense of nature.
14. Wow with brooding dark shades
(Image credit: Future PLC/ Colin Poole)
There's no denying interior trends in recent years have very much embraced the dark side. As confidence in colour has grown homeowners have been looking to express their personalities more with bold colour choices. A striking almost-black charcoal grey is ideal for an attention-seeking statement, like with a striking fireplace idea.
A colour of this nature is not just for larger rooms either. Used wisely it can be a great small living room idea also – says Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen.
Using dark paint to make a space feel bigger might seem counterintuitive, but Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen explains that particularly when you have a wall-mounted television, painting the space behind it will work much better.
15. Echo natural shades of grey
(Image credit: Future PLC/ Richard Gadsby)
Allow the colour of natural stone to inspire your grey colour choices. Use your paint samples on a piece of card to hold against the original walls to determine the perfect pairing to complement the natural warmth on the walls. Offset the light grey decorating with darker accents on the furniture to add depth, as shown in this rustic living room.
(Image credit: Future PLC/ David Giles)
Sometimes understated can have the biggest impact, especially when paired with bold furniture and furnishing choices. The light grey on the walls can help to act like a blank canvas, without being as stark as white.
'Our most popular group of greys is made up of Wevet, Ammonite and Cornforth White – colours that are so relaxed and easy to live with you barely notice that they are there,' explains Joa Studholme at Farrow & Ball.
'They have a gossamer-like appearance so are perfect for those who prefer understated decoration which does not challenge us very much but gives a huge amount of versatility.'
17. Create a sanctuary with slate and wood accents
(Image credit: Future PLC/Simon Whitmore)
Slate grey walls look anything but cold when paired with rustic, natural woody furniture accents. Fill the room with plenty of textures such as a fluffy berber rug and straw basket for storing blankets to complete the relaxed living room scheme.
18. Cocoon yourself with a warming grey
(Image credit: Dulux)
Colours that whisper rather than shout are a must for rooms designed to promote relaxation. Deep greys like Stable Gates by Dulux gently cocoon and visually don't distract, so you can focus on a film or good book.
Stable Grey's warm make-up also means that it works as well with a terracotta or blush as it does with a pale or stonewashed blue – or indeed, a forest green living room.
That versatility comes in handy if you like to switch up soft furnishings on a regular basis.
19. Warm up grey walls with bright prints
(Image credit: Future PLC/ David Parmiter)
A floor to ceiling pale grey colour palette is the perfect canvas to make a splash with brightly coloured wall display ideas. A floating picture shelf is a great non-permanent solution to displaying wall art. You can easily swap one print for another as your collection grows and changes.
Putty and blue-coloured patterned cushions and a geometric rug in dark navy add pops of muted colour for a sophisticated, yet cosy living room.
(Image credit: Future PLC/ Polly Eltes)
Pale grey walls create the perfect backdrop for statement patterns in this country living room. The warm undertones of grey absorbs busy patterns, meaning it's less stark than, say, white walls. This quality allows pattern to sit more comfortably within the overall scheme. Want to see if white works better? Our white living room ideas show you how this shade can be used.
21. Create calming vibes with natural foliage
(Image credit: Future PLC/ Joanna Henderson)
Cool shades of grey can have a calming effect on an interior space. This can be enhanced further with the addition of natural house plants and foliage, a hugely popular accessory choice.
22. Take the colour from the floor to ceiling
(Image credit: Future PLC/ David Giles)
Colour drenching is having something of a moment right now, so why not go all out with grey. Paint your walls and ceiling in one shade, and select flooring in as close to a matching grey as possible. Keep things light and bright with pastel accessories.
23. Try a panelled wall
(Image credit: Sofology)
In addition to the cocooning deep, blue-toned grey, the fine ribbed panelling creates cosy texture. It's a great trick for adding features to new builds and boxy rooms that don’t have any architectural interest.
A contemporary, corrugated wall panelling idea is totally on trend too.
Pitch the line of panelling above key pieces of furniture. Ramp up the intimate feeling by painting above the panelling and the ceiling in a dramatic charcoal.
24. Update a grey country scheme with paisley print
(Image credit: Future PLC/ Dominic Blackmore)
Update the backdrop in a classic country scheme with paisley-print living room wallpaper ideas. Choose cushions and upholstery in opulent weaves, soft linens and plush damasks, with Moroccan-style metal tables to add glamour.
'Be extravagant with finishing touches for an opulent look,' advises Ideal Home's Style Editor, Michela Collling. 'For example, double up on fabrics so curtains feel fuller.'
25. Use grey as a base for soft geometrics
(Image credit: Future PLC/ Tim Young)
Team cool grey and geometrics with primrose yellow splashes for a vintage look with a modern twist. Keep the scheme contemporary with grey walls and furniture. Then add warmth with summer living room ideas such as hints of yellow in geometric prints and furnishings and character with a cool mix of retro accessories.
Wooden cube tables and copper details complement the retro vibe.
26. Team warm grey with soft ivory for effortless elegance
(Image credit: Perch & Parrow)
Make a living room more inviting with a warm grey wall colour that mixes well with other neutrals. Pile up the sofa with cushions and throws in complementary shades, with a Berber rug as your anchor point.
If an all-grey scheme feels too flat and monotone, work in an extra layer of colour with an elegant ivory for a subtle lift. Flashes of mustard, olive green or softer tones of nude or blush work well with any yellow-toned greys.
27. Curate a grey scheme
(Image credit: Future PLC/ Dominic Blackmore)
Who says grey can't be cosy, warm and inviting? Duck egg living room schemes debunks that theory.
Opt for chunky knits, pattern and texture to give a grey living room a welcoming feel. Curate a wall with monochrome prints and photography for a chic. stylish space that you just won't want to leave.
28. Bring grey to life with pops of yellow
(Image credit: Future PLC/ Dominic Blackmore)
Worried grey alone might seem a bit dull? Then choose your accessories carefully. A blue sofa, yellow chair and tomato red lamp really sing out against a mid-grey backdrop. Pull everything together with a rug that features all the different shades that you are using, and voilà – decorating perfection!
29. Add warmth with vintage pieces
(Image credit: Future PLC/ Olly Gordon)
In a neutral living room, grey works beautifully when added in courtesy of carpets, curtains and squishy sofas. Adding in touches of blush and natural woods will introduce cosy tones, keeping things warm and feminine.
30. Combine colours
(Image credit: TBC)
Take the intimidation out of a grey colour scheme by warming up this look with oh-so-fashionable copper accessories. The rose-gold undertones have a lovely way of adding a glow to the scheme, making it warm and inviting.
If you don't want to go grey-all-over, consider creating a winning colour combination by teaming grey with pink. This pretty duo packs a stylish punch.
31. Inject a shot of mustard tones
(Image credit: Future PLC/ Simon Whitmore)
If you've already dipped your toe into the grey trend with pale walls, you may now be ready to take things a few shades darker. As you can see, it's a sophisticated way to go, and will instantly make a room feel cosier.
However, if you're nervous it will seem too dark, stick to one feature wall – you can always paint the others at a later date. Deep yellow accessories will also brighten things up, provided you choose a strong enough shade like mustards and ochres.
32. Give florals a trend twist
(Image credit: Future PLC/ Dominic Blackmore)
There's something almost regal about this deep grey living room, with pops of colour provided by the curtains, cushions and purple living room furniture and upholstery.
Using such a dark backdrop really brings out the brighter tones, and it does something magical to a floral print, making it appear edgy and modern as opposed to mumsy or in any way old-fashioned.
33. Go global
(Image credit: Future PLC/ Simon Whitmore)
Grey makes a fine backdrop to energising Ikat patterns and hints of rich orange. Try this look with mid-century living room ideas, such as furniture. Add elegance with smooth, dark woods, or create a Wild-West feel with weathered wood and leather.
34. Start with a feature wall
(Image credit: Future PLC/ Lizzie Orme)
A feature wall is always a good jump-off point if you're nervous of working with a new shade. You could even start by painting a chimney breast. Or you could take it to the next level and commission built-in furniture from a local carpenter, then finish it in a deep grey. Coordinate with carpets and upholstery in a paler shade.
35. Use grey furniture
(Image credit: Future PLC/ James Merrell)
Paint bookcases ad other built-in storage unit in the same grey paint as your walls, to allow them to blend seamlessly in with the rest of the room.
Add this to grey seating and flooring to complete the look. The different materials across these surfaces will keep the look dynamic and stop it from feeling bland.
36. Mix grey with warmer neutrals
(Image credit: Future PLC/ Tim Young)
Create a relaxing living room with a tightly controlled palette of toning greys and neutrals. Mid-tone grey walls and flooring provide a warm, inviting backdrop for a neutral sofa and rug and delicately patterned cushions.
Touches of white will help to balance the darker grey accents, bringing the scheme together.
37. Introduce plenty of pattern and texture
(Image credit: Future PLC/ Dominic Blackmore)
Stop all-grey from looking flat by adding texture and pattern. For a winter-proof living room you'll want to hunker down in, texture is key. Furry cushions and super-soft blankets make this the perfect space to curl up in. Break up those shades of grey with some well-chosen patterned dainty curtains, a statement rug and chunky weaves are all it takes.
38. Start with a grey sofa
(Image credit: Swyft)
While dark blue and green sofas are gaining popularity, if you're looking for a sofa you won't tire of, grey is a strong choice.
While black living rooms might seem too dark for some, the light tone of this sofa along with the wooden flooring and natural light coming through the windows breaks up the otherwise dark scheme.
39. Keep it classic
(Image credit: Future PLC/ Nick Smith)
If you fancy a more traditional feel in your living room, don't overdo the grey. For a wonderfully smart scheme, use a mid grey on walls style the rest of the space in browns and reds.
40. Play with trends
(Image credit: Future PLC/ Dominic Blackmore)
Try a fusion of styles by contrasting rough industrial with global grandness. The grey-toned neutral colour palette is the starting point, teamed with a mix of geometric and Ikat print fabrics.
Follow this with contrasting furniture styles, from the grand Chesterfield sofa and retro leather armchair to the industrial steel shelving and coffee table.
41. Experiment with different depths of grey
(Image credit: Future PLC/ Paul Raeside)
Pick a plump sofa for lounging. This charcoal grey number adds elegance and interest to a minimal room. Explore the many depths of a grey colour palette by layering tones to create a scheme that looks cohesive.
By using the same colour, but in both its palest and deepest incarnations, you can create a rich, contrasting look that is co-ordinated. A glass coffee table and side table add a glamorous note.
42. Create a grey coastal scheme
(Image credit: Future PLC/ Dominic Blackmore)
Try A take on a traditional coastal living room idea but instead of sea blues, use a cool wintry grey. Start with a pale wash of grey over the walls, then bring in pieces of weathered-wood furniture and faded linen upholstery to give the room a lived-in look.
Accessorise with whitewashed basketware, driftwood, smooth ceramics and opaque glassware to carry on the coastal theme.
43. Go smart with grey
(Image credit: Future PLC/ Dominic Blackmore)
Smarten up a family living room with a modern grey and monochrome scheme with a graphic linear wallpaper as the focal point. Worried that a modern scheme might look too grey?
Add pops of a bright accent colour on cushions and accessories. Bring in an informal element with a picture ledge positioned above the sofa – line with family photographs and favourite prints that you can add to and rearrange at your leisure.
44. Pretty up grey with pink
(Image credit: Future PLC/ Emma Lee)
Use the gentlest of greys as a springboard for blush pink, plum and buff tones. Mid century-style furniture rubs shoulders here with contemporary pieces in brilliant hi-gloss white.
The floor-to-ceiling living room curtain idea adds a lovely touch of dip-dyed pink, while cushions and floral displays channel rich plum tones. Grey and pink is a winning combination, particularly suited to modern living rooms, and works just as well as a grey bedroom idea.
What colours go with grey in a living room?
The ideal colour to go with grey in a living room will depend on the depth you've chosen. Generally speaking, warmer shades of grey will benefit from equally warm accent colours such as rich greens, vibrant yellows and pops of bright pink. Colder tones pair naturally well with paler colours such as blush pink and watery blues.
What are the best grey paints for a living room?
Each shade of grey paint is capable of creating a different look, feel and style of living room and the shade that you choose will be part and parcel of your own personal style. Modern living room schemes tend to call for cooler, darker, dramatic charcoals or near-blacks. While vintage and classic-inspired styles have a natural affinity with warmer blue and green-toned greys.
How do you add warmth to a grey living room?
How you add warmth to a grey living room is by choosing the right shade of paint for walls – depending on the light quality.
Getting the right temperature of grey will help to instantly make the shade feel warmer in all lights.
'If you have a south-facing room that you are using during the day then you can afford to choose virtually any grey,' explains Joa from Farrow & Ball.
'But you need to be wary in north-facing rooms where grey can appear cold and clinical, so you should opt for a shade with warmer or more beige undertones. Elephants Breath and Skimming Stone always come to the rescue in these circumstances.'
Amy Cutmore is Editor-in-Chief, Homes Audience, working across the Future Homes portfolio. She works on titles including Ideal Home, Homes & Gardens, Livingetc, Real Homes, Gardeningetc, Top Ten Reviews and Country Life. And she's a winner of the PPA's Digital Content Leader of the Year. A homes journalist for two decades, she has a strong background in technology and appliances, and has a small portfolio of rental properties, so can offer advice to renters and rentees, alike.
design rules, color accents and combinations
11/06/2019
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The living room is both a reception area and a place where family members gather. Elegant style, even some solemnity, and comfort should be harmoniously combined here. A living room in gray tones is one of the proven solutions to a difficult task. This is a fashionable and stylish option, which is worth a closer look. nine0003
Not at all dull gray
Gray is not just one color. In addition to monochrome gradations obtained by combining pure white with black, designers use cool and warm shades of gray to create the right mood:
- cold - steel (with a bluish tint), anthracite, marengo, lead;
- warm - pearl gray, pearl gray, smoky, ashy.
Depending on the lighting, the size of the living room, the chosen style, you can choose either achromatic shades of different saturation, or their variations.
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When using gray in the design of the walls, the use of textures looks advantageous - rough, convex ornaments.
The use of gray is not only a fashion trend. It is also practical, because it does not fade, traces of pollution are least visible on it.
Living room Country
Gray rules
Achromatic gray is more versatile, it can be made the basis of any interior style. Neutral gray is perfect for a classic and high-tech living room. Warm shades of gray are closer to a rustic style, while cool shades will look great in a Mediterranean or Scandinavian version of the room. nine0003
Light and cold shades will visually expand the space of a small living room. The use of fragments of contrasting saturation, on the contrary, will allow zoning a spacious living room, highlighting private corners.
Do not make the ceiling darker than the floor: this creates an effect of pressure from above, especially with a standard ceiling height.
If your living room has unfortunate proportions, in an overly long room, the end wall can be made a few tones darker than the side walls, visually bringing it closer. nine0003
Gray living room furniture should not be bought exactly to match the walls, it is better to choose a darker or lighter tone of the same shade. At the same time, if you want to visually enlarge the room, furniture that exactly matches the tone of the walls can be a good solution, without visually standing out and expanding the room.
Keep in mind that gray loves neatness and restraint: an excess of complementary colors can spoil the most elegant image created by the designer, so you should not arrange a warehouse of colorful knick-knacks in the living room. nine0003
Gray as an ideal background can be used by collectors. If your collection of paintings, posters, ceramics, etc. is placed on a neutral background, it becomes more visible, attracts the eye, without creating disharmonious combinations.
Highlights
A living room in gray tones with bright accents is not only a stylish solution, but also an opportunity to change the appearance of the room almost beyond recognition with minimal effort and investment. It is enough just to replace curtains, sofa cushions or other bright accessories by choosing a different color accent - and now, instead of a frivolous Mediterranean style, laconic Scandinavian simplicity dominates in your living room. nine0003
The magic of color in action. Neutral gray makes the perfect backdrop for color-rich items that set the mood. Royal burgundy will give solemnity and sophistication, cream and pink shades - tenderness and lightness.
Gray has the ability to emphasize the saturation of other colors. Therefore, an unusual, for example, oriental, rug will sparkle in such a living room with all its colors, lamps and vases will complement the design, and fresh flowers, even the most modest ones, will not let go of your eyes.
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Just a few bright spots can completely change the mood of a living room made in shades of gray. The book is on the table in a bright red cover, as if by chance a forgotten red plaid on the back of the sofa. And now playfulness appears, mood rises, a surge of energy is felt.
Looking for peace and serenity? We replace the red with a bluish-gray, swampy one - and the living room breathes coolness, which is so nice to plunge into after a hot, busy day. nine0003
Harmony
The combination of gray and white gives rise to the Scandinavian style, where knitted and woven textures play a special role, spectacular combinations of glossy and matte surfaces. Possible variations are an almost white main background with graphite or asphalt shades of furniture and textiles. Or, on the contrary, dark walls are emphasized by dazzling white finishing elements - borders, curtains, textiles.
The combination of gray walls with natural wood furniture is used in a rustic style.
However, one should not think that the rustic style is a grandmother's "hall" with a lurid wardrobe and a sideboard. Modern design solutions give rustic style a modern touch. Here, natural colors and materials, simple shapes, coarse textiles play a role. nine0003
In combination with blue or light blue, gray can be presented in a high-tech style, where cold blue with steel notes will create the illusion of fantastic materials of the future. More saturated blue notes will give the interior already some notes of the Mediterranean style, associating with the coolness of the sea waves. It is important that color schemes are complemented by the use of appropriate shapes and textures. The Mediterranean style, unlike hi-tech, requires soft lines that are close to natural natural forms. nine0003
The loft style, imitating an industrial interior, is characterized by the use of steel shades, complemented by brick, brown.
If the light gray base is supplemented with textiles and decorative elements of purple and lavender shades, you will see the Provence style.
Mystical lilac will create an atmosphere of mystery. A rich purple will be an elegant expression of the classic style, like deep blue, purple. nine0003
If gray still seems a little dull to you, dilute it with sunny yellow. Such a bold decision will make your living room bright and unusual. And the gray-beige interior will give the room warmth and comfort.
A combination with pink, depending on the shades of the latter, can create a modern or high-tech style if pink is chosen in cold tones with a metallic sheen. At the same time, warm pink elements soften the strict gray, making the living room very tender, feminine, touching. nine0003
Green color gives a lot of design options in combination with its natural natural shades, where live plants will look very harmonious, creating a relaxation zone in the living room. And dark green can look solemn, giving a formal touch.
Gray living room materials
For wall decoration, classic paper wallpapers are most often used, which can be almost plain with a textured pattern or have a floral, geometric ornament.
In the loft style, monochrome wallpapers can be used that imitate old newspapers. More expensive solutions can be decorated with various types of decorative plasters. nine0003
In the design of the walls, contrasting inserts in the form of rosettes or a horizontal, vertical division of areas contrasting in saturation are used.
Floors can be made of any material from natural stone and tiles, laminate imitating them, to carpeting. Often, a base tone coating is used with irregularly shaped colored rugs, arranged taking into account the geometry of the room.
The ceiling in a gray living room rarely becomes the centerpiece. It can be classic, plastered or suspended. But at the same time, it is rarely emphasized. nine0003
Furniture can be classic wood, but painted surfaces are more commonly used, with the exception of Scandinavian and rustic styles, where furniture in natural colors creates the desired effect. More extravagant stylistic solutions include leather, shiny metal, glass in furniture materials.
