Hall ideas grey
Grey hallway ideas – 10 ways to decorate with the most versatile shade |
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(Image credit: Anna Stathaki / Future)
If you're dabbling with the idea of going for a grey scheme for your entryway, take a look at this list of the best grey hallway ideas.
Grey is has been coasting on a wave of popularity for a number of years now and shows no sights of losing favor. Available in a whole gamut of hues that will lure in the most color happy decorator, grey provides a smart and sophisticated base from which you can build a variety of coordinating and contrasting colors to make your scheme sing.
Grey hallway ideas – decorate your entryway with this popular shade
The best grey hallway ideas are the ones that take light, size and style into consideration.
'Grey offers infinite possibilities for making a hallway feel relaxing, refined, and timeless, or elegantly sophisticated, but its most redeeming quality is the feeling of calm it creates in any space,' says Farrow & Ball's Color Curator Joa Studholme.
It's endlessly practical, too, becoming a calm neutral for a whole host of shades.
1. Go for grey in a spacious hallway
(Image credit: Davide Lovatti / Future)
A mid-toned grey that can be used as a neutral is a good choice for a hallway, especially if you wish to keep the space light and airy. Team it with a host of darker and lighter neutrals to create a layered scheme, creating the perfect conduit for a pop or two of bold color.
2. Reach for a dramatic shade of grey
(Image credit: James Merrell / Future)
This charcoal grey number adds elegance and interest to a minimal or small hallway. Darker tones of charcoal can be used to add drama to an otherwise 'dead space'. With clever hallway lighting ideas you can create a look that is both strong and atmospheric upon entrance.
These dark greys are also a wonderful strong background for small amounts of contrasting color, artwork and fabric.
3. Use a blue-grey in a traditional hallway
(Image credit: Future)
Tipping toward the blue side of the spectrum, this color is a wonderfully chic shade, perfect for narrow hallways and landings alike.
Good if you want to add warmth to a cold space, and an ideal option for country and traditional hallways.
4. Add depth and dimension by using grey on walls and furniture
(Image credit: Paul Raeside / Future)
An excellent choice for small, light filled rooms, this grey adds a subtle hint of color if you prefer to keep a room fresh and bright (but not white). By using the same color for walls and on furniture, but in both its palest and deepest incarnations, you can create a rich, contrasting look that is co-ordinated yet contemporary.
5. Use grey as a blank canvas for standout furnishings
(Image credit: Jody Stewart / Future)
Believe it or not, grey paint creates the perfect backdrop for standout colors, pattern and texture in interior design.
However, if your hallway is starved of warm daylight, choose a grey with a touch of warm brown in it – you'll get the elegance of a grey room without it feeling too cold. Opt for soft furnishings in your favorite colors – they will really sing out against a cool backdrop.
6. Take it to the floor with marble and stone
(Image credit: Anna Stathaki / Future)
New interpretations and refreshing schemes make this metamorphic rock an enduring classic. Classic marble may be centuries old, but this versatile material can feel just as relevant in a contemporary setting, and is a beautiful way to add a touch of grey underfoot.
Too much stone can feel cold and sterile – and marble is no exception. Be sure to include elements of wood, brass and fabric to introduce warmth and deaden the echo of hard surfaces. The mix of materials will help to break up the monotony of the stone.
7. Paint a narrow hallway in a richly-pigmented grey
(Image credit: Paul Raeside a/ Future)
This deep grey shade is ideal for those that want to add some drama to their scheme. Richly pigmented, this will soak up cold light so is a great choice for north-facing rooms or spaces with little natural light. Team with warm lighting and reflective surfaces for a more sophisticated feel.
8. Opt for a grey color scheme in a family home
(Image credit: Future)
There is something quite delightfully decadent about a grey color scheme. It is cold yet warm at the same, and can be used a backdrop to highlight a carefully-curated selection of wonderful artwork, family heirlooms and well-chosen furniture.
What's more, grey – particularly dark grey – is perfect color choice if you have children, as it will hide any unsightly fingermarks on the walls.
9. Channel the restful nature of grey in a landing space
(Image credit: Future)
Use grey to create a harmonious look in a landing – one that will make a great first impression. Whether it's pale or slight darker, dove grey is a great all-rounder.
You can dress it up with metallic shades for a luxe look, or keep it simple with natural colors and earthy textures.
10. Introduce a subtle shade
(Image credit: Anna Stathaki / Future)
This subtle stone shade is an excellent choice for those that wish to dip their toe in the grey color trend without adding too much drama.
Flipping between beige and grey depending on whether the room receives warm of cold daylight, making it the perfect choice for an entryway.
Is grey a good color for the hallway?
‘The use of grey in a hallway is often dependent on the light conditions,' says Joa Studholme. 'Dark greys can work superbly in light starved halls to create drama on arrival and make all the rooms off it look huge and super bright, while colder blues are better suited to gritty industrial kitchens.'
Pale greys provide a softer alternative to whites, while deep dark greys are packed with drama allowing contrasting shades to pop against their bold backdrop. While the darker shades usually have the strongest appeal, when push comes to shove, having such a deep color on the walls may be too much of a commitment for some.
The key is to choose the right undertone for your space. 'With almost as many grey paint colors to choose from as off-whites, finding the perfect grey can be a minefield,' says Benjamin Moore UK Director, Helen Shaw.
Jennifer is the Digital Editor at Homes & Gardens. Having worked in the interiors industry for a number of years, spanning many publications, she now hones her digital prowess on the 'best interiors website' in the world. Multi-skilled, Jennifer has worked in PR and marketing, and the occasional dabble in the social media, commercial and e-commerce space. Over the years, she has written about every area of the home, from compiling design houses from some of the best interior designers in the world to sourcing celebrity homes, reviewing appliances and even the odd news story or two.
Grey hallway ideas – 28 classic ways to decorate your hall
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On the hunt for grey hallway ideas? A popular option for modern and historic homes, in part due to its versatility, practicality and shifting mood as the daylight changes, a grey scheme is worth considering if you're planning a hallway transformation.
Whether your want a hallway that's pared-back, modest and minimal, contemporary and industrial-inspired, on-trend with touches of Scandi-chic, or truly traditional, you're sure to find inspiration with the latest grey hallway ideas – whether you choose charcoal, mink or greige...
Gorgeously grey hallway ideas
1. Warm up your space with a punchy pop of orange
(Image credit: Carpetright)
Like yellow, orange is a color that is full of warmth and optimism. So whether you want to give your guests a warm welcome or just feel like spicing up a cool grey hallway idea – this bold and bright color can add instant heat to your home.
There are so many ways to incorporate this hue into your hallway. We like these glazed ceramic vases and abstract canvases. The wooden staircases also complement this color perfectly.
2. Soften a cool grey scheme with notes of pastel purple
(Image credit: Carpetright)
Purple probably isn't the first color that comes to mind when choosing which hue to decorate your hallway with. But, when used in a grey hallway idea, it adds a rich opulence to the near-silver scheme.
It doesn't take a lot to make a bland grey scheme go from blah to hurrah. In this scheme, a lick of lilac has been added to the arch of this entrance, an abstract wall art idea adds edginess, and delicate flowers and vases bring a sense of femininity to this space.
3. Add a grey frame to a large hallway mirror
(Image credit: Carpetright)
When looking to make a grey hallway look larger than life, hallway mirror ideas are an essential item on the interior shopping list.
But rather than affixing it to the wall in its 'naked' state, why not search for a fancy frame to make this reflective pane look more expensive?
Combined with a cozy armchair and upcycled wardrobe, this space is somewhere we'd want to loiter in for much longer than just putting our coat and shoes on.
4. Bold carpet patterns
(Image credit: Carpetright)
Adding a bold carpet to a grey hallway can adds oomph to your entry and this Grecian motif is definitely a champion design.
So if you're the god or goddess in your home, take charge with a busy hallway flooring idea and let boring schemes become a myth.
5. Create a dramatic, dark scheme with navy and grey
(Image credit: Carpetright)
While white and grey and hallway ideas are embraced in Scandi design, there's nothing more sultry than a dark and dramatic scheme.
In this idea, smart suit-blue navy wall paneling design complements grey carpet decor. Weathered grey wood furniture and a rocking horse adds an element of authenticity and a lived in feel to this space.
6. Fake the look of stone with polished porcelain tiles
(Image credit: Walls and Floors)
For many of us, retrofitting a stone or marble floor is out of our budget. But if you really want to add a luxurious material to your grey hallway, fake it until you make it.
This sleek porcelain tiling idea by Walls and Floors is a more affordable and durable way to incorporate this style into your home. With its seamless appearance and light-reflective qualities, it'll open up you hallway space and create a glistening gloss finish.
7. Add a sliding door to zone the room
(Image credit: Norsu Interiors)
Want to zone your grey hallway to give it its own identity? Or perhaps you'd like hide away a second lounge or formal dining area?
In this design by Norsu Interiors , a sliding door track mechanism has been introduced to give this grey wooden door left-to-right functionality. Paint your walls the same shade to create a coordinated scheme.
Find that it feels too same-same? Go against the grain and don these surfaces with a contrasting color instead.
8. Pick your shade of grey carefully
(Image credit: Neptune)
Grey is a tricky color to get just right: some greys have lilac tinges; some have yellowish tones; others are bluer. Which to choose for your hallway? The answer, to a large degree, is down to how much natural light you get in the hallway, and its quality. If yours is a north-facing hallway with little natural daylight, the lightest of shades tinged with a hint of yellow will make it feel warm; light-flooded south-facing ones will look bright even with a cooler grey.
Don't forget, too, that it might be worth using different tones of the same grey on different walls within your hallway. The key to success? Experiment with tester pots first.
9. Don't pick your grey in isolation: think flooring, too
(Image credit: Karndean )
Your might think you've found the perfect shade of grey for your hallway, but don't forget to check how it looks with your existing (or soon to be chosen) hallway flooring.
So, referring you back to the advice just above, if your hallway flooring has a neutral, natural tone, like this, you should look for a grey with a hint of yellow in it. That way you'll avoid a tonal clash.
10. Create interest with different grey tones
(Image credit: Brockway Carpets)
This is a grey hallway idea you can achieve easily by adding carpet to the mix in your grey hallway design. But what to put where? It's down to taste, without doubt, but bear these style tips in mind: darker colors on the upper parts of a wall (ie, above dado rails) is better suited to a hallway with tall ceilings rather than lower ones; striped runners create the visual trick of making your hallway look longer; the darkest of shades, such as the dark grey carpet on the landing below, are best suited to the lowest part of the hallway, whether below dado level or on the floor.
11. Industrial poured floors
(Image credit: Nest)
For an alternative take on traditional grey hallway ideas and to create a striking industrial feel, consider opting for a statement poured concrete floors and walls with an on-trend micro-concrete finish.
Breaking up your use of concrete with wood paneling is an easy way to add warmth and interest to a space.
12. Concrete effect wallpaper
(Image credit: Nest)
If you like the idea of industrial style interiors but don't want to commit to micro-concreting or need to cover a larger surface area, consider opting for a concrete effect wallpaper instead. See more grey wallpaper ideas in our design gallery.
13. Paint internal doors for a more cohesive finish
(Image credit: Harvey Maria)
Consider matching the color of your internal doors with that of your walls for a smart and cohesive finish. This works most successfully in a space that's naturally light and bright, particularly if you're working with a darker shade of grey.
- DIY: How to paint a door.
14. Combine light greys with whites for a timeless look
(Image credit: Norsu Interiors)
Pairing light shades of grey with bright whites is the easiest way to create a timeless and sophisticated scheme in your hallway.
This can be achieved by opting for white woodwork, furniture or artwork that will open up the space.
This color scheme is particularly effective if you're working with a small hallway idea, as light shades will make a small space feel instantly larger and lighter.
15. Warm up a grey scheme with accessories in wood
(Image credit: Nest)
While, for good reason, grey hallway ideas tend to be the go to, this popular shade does have the potential to be a little lifeless if left un-styled.
Opting for a statement coat stand, console table or even mirror frame in a wooden finish is an easy way to add warmth and break up an otherwise all-grey scheme. If yours is a light-starved hallway, it's definitely worth opting for a creamy grey like this one – it bounces tons of light around and is softer on the eye than steelier tones.
16. Reflect light with furnishings in a grey hallway
(Image credit: Cox & Cox)
Console tables in glass, a large mirror, glass chandeliers.
.. All make for light-reflecting and stylish (plus practical) addition to a grey hallway design, breaking up the monotony of the scheme.
17. Inject life (literally) into a dark grey scheme
(Image credit: Hurn & Hurn)
Not only does the addition of house plants to a hallway make the space feel more welcoming, it's also an effective way to add texture and interest to a scheme – especially if you've opted for an inkier shade of grey.
We love the use of this Ferm Living Plant Box Stand from Hurn & Hurn to inject life and colour into a hallway with a moody grey scheme. Discover some great indoor gardening ideas to style your hallway to Insta-standards.
18. Blend away storage solutions with clever color use
(Image credit: Ikea)
While designing a grey hallway that's purely aesthetic is a dream for many, it's often not the reality. Hallways, particularly those in family homes, need to be functional too, with plenty of space for storing coats, bags and shoes.
Opting for unfitted coat hooks and shoe hallway storage ideas in the same (or similar) shades to the rest of your scheme is the easiest way to design a grey hallway that is both practical and smart.
19. Create the illusion of a larger and lighter space
(Image credit: Ikea)
If you're working with a narrow space (as is characteristic of many hallways) it's possible to style it in such a way that it appears larger than it really is.
Work long, natural rugs which extend away from the entry point into the hallway to give the appearance of a longer space. This is even more effective if you benefit from a window projecting light throughout the space. If you don't, consider positioning a mirror at the end of your hallway to make it seem more spacious.
Opting for built-in, floor-to-ceiling units is an easy way to maximise storage potential without making a space feel small and overcrowded.
(Image credit: Nest)
If your style is more boho, consider grey hallway ideas with a more pared back, unfitted feel.
This means opting for furniture and decorations with simple silhouettes and made from natural materials. In terms of wallpaper, consider opting for something that adds understated texture to the hallway.
21. Combine grey with bright colors and bold pattern
(Image credit: Little Greene)
If your taste is a little more quirky or you're looking for a (slightly) pared-back take on the maximalist trend, consider pairing a grey patterned wallpaper with bright and bold paintwork for a standout result.
The zig-zag runner rug adds a stylish, swinging sixties vibe too.
22. Use wood to soften a rough luxe finish
(Image credit: Cuckooland)
If you're really into the industrial look, consider going all out with an exposed concrete wallpaper. Pair with woods and other natural materials to offset the harshness of a dark grey, soft brutalist scheme.
23. Opt for complementary shades of the same color
(Image credit: Cuckooland)
Using various, complementary shades of the same color is an easy way to add interest to a space without overdoing it and, in turn, detracting from the simplicity of your desired scheme.
The key to achieving this look effectively is opting for shades of the same hue and pairing with simple furniture if you're determined to have a delicate scheme.
24. Inject color into a simple grey scheme
(Image credit: Ligne Roset)
If you like the chic simplicity of grey hallway ideas, but also the idea of a bit more color, opting for furniture in a brighter shade is an easy compromise. After all, furniture can be replaced more easily if you get tired of your use of a brighter shade.
If you've already got suitable hallway furniture, ask yourself whether a coat of paint could be all you need to brighten up a grey scheme. Our guide to how to paint furniture will talk you through, step-by-step.
25. Opt to paint paneling in a grey tone
(Image credit: Nest)
If you can't quite bring yourself to move away from an ultra minimalist, all-white scheme, meet somewhere in the middle (pardon the pun) by just painting up to the dado rail.
This will effectively add interest to a space without detracting from the simplicity that white offers – opt for a light shade of grey and you'll barely notice the difference, anyway (we promise).
26. Add a gallery wall to a grey hallway
(Image credit: Cuckooland)
Create a focal point in your grey hallway with the addition of a stylish gallery wall. Keep things simple with minimalist prints and black picture frames or go all-out with bold prints and equally bright fittings, the choice is yours.
27. Choose nearly-black for a dramatic entrance
(Image credit: Katie Lee)
Using grey at the darkest end of the color spectrum will give you a contemporary style hallway that suits both period and modern homes. How to get dark and dramatic rooms right? Avoid a formal look (fitted carpets, gilt mirror frames, smart furniture) and instead embrace upcycled furniture, boho-style rugs and wall-hangings.
28. Patterned flooring
Create a striking stairway with #Railings and #Peignoir — we adore the combination in @maxmademedoit's space! #FarrowandBall Farrow & Ball
A photo posted by @farrowandball on Nov 6, 2018 at 11:42am PST
As there is usually not much going on in a hallway in terms of furniture or accessories, you can afford to be really brave when it comes to flooring.
Choose a bold, busy patterned floor tile (or vinyl flooring if you are on a budget) to give a simple, grey hallway a beautiful design boost.
Is grey going out of style?
Marianne Shillingford, creative director for Dulux comments: 'Recent years have seen millions of us turn to crisp greys and whites to decorate our homes.But, as our research reveals, many of us now are looking to be bolder with our color choices.
'The shift comes as many of us have spent far greater amounts of time at home than we have ever done before over the past year. This has allowed us to reflect and reconsider how we want our interiors to look and feel.'
'Adding color is a fail safe way to raise spirits and bring joy after the difficulties we have all faced recently.'
Emily first (temporarily) joined the Real Homes team while interning on her summer break from university. After graduating, she worked on several publications before joining Real Homes as Staff Writer full time in mid-2018.
She left the brand in 2020 to pursue another career, but still loves a second-hand bargain and sourcing unique finds to make her rented flat reflect her personality.
55 real photos, design ideas
Features of gray color
A few characteristic features:
- Fits into any style solution.
- It is an ideal base color that can be complemented with color or graphic accents.
- Many designers consider this color to be versatile and practical.
- Gray in abundance creates a relaxing atmosphere.
Gray shades
The gray range has a fairly wide color range, which starts from almost whitened shades and ends with dark almost black tones. Thanks to this variability, it is possible to choose the right solution for any design.
The hall in warm gray tones looks truly luxurious and noble, and the living room decorated in cool steel colors can evoke associations with a factory room.
Despite the monotony, gray colors, due to properly selected textures, create a picturesque and deep design, rather than a boring and empty one.
The photo shows a light gray living room interior in a Scandinavian style.
Will bring light and air into a small room, as well as visually increase the space - light gray colors. Saturated dark gray shades will help to mask planning flaws and small irregularities of different planes.
The photo shows the design of a small dark gray living room with a fireplace.
Combination with other colors
Due to the numerous shades, gray can be perfectly combined with other tones.
Living room in gray and white
Similar monochrome colors form a very harmonious duet, giving the atmosphere a special charm. For a comfortable and cozy interior, snow-white tones can be replaced with milky or creamy ones. The gray and white combination is perfect for those who do not accept overly bright design. This tandem with the addition of black will look interesting.
The photo shows the Nordic interior of the hall in gray and white.
Gray-blue interior
Cool blue color fills the living room with pleasant freshness and attracts attention. Silver or smoky colors will look good in combination with a delicate cornflower blue and blue tint.
Pictured is a spacious gray guest room with blue accent walls.
Grey-beige living room
Beige makes gray more warm and cozy. A good solution would be an alliance with sand or powdery flowers. Neutral and noble tones combine to form an elegant and sober design that fits perfectly into the living room.
The photo shows a gray-white-beige interior of a small guest room.
Grey-pink interior of the hall
Regardless of the chosen shade of pink, the atmosphere becomes either discreet and feminine, or pompous and glamorous. Hot pink is best used as accent spots. For example, a gray sofa in the living room can be complemented with stylish fuchsia decorative pillows, and colorful posters or paintings can be placed on monochrome walls.
Graceful vases with pale pink peonies or roses look very beautiful in a gray living room.
The photo shows the interior of the hall in light gray colors with pastel pink upholstered furniture.
Design of a gray living room with bright accents
The gray interior of the living room will be perfectly diluted with sunny and cheerful yellow blotches. Canary-colored sofa upholstery, golden-colored curtains, a lamp with a mustard-colored lampshade, paintings or mirrors in bright lemon frames will add positive notes to the monotonous atmosphere.
Pictured is a gray guest room with splashes of turquoise.
Green allows you to fill the gray living room with harmony and peace. Cold emerald or jade colors evoke a feeling of relaxation, while warm pistachio, herbal or light green tones create an invigorating atmosphere.
Gray design with lilac accents becomes truly elegant and mysterious, turquoise colors deserve special attention, which give the living room a royal look.
Living room decoration
Certain finishing materials can create both business and austere design, as well as homely and cozy living room design.
- Walls. A decent entourage will give the room textured wallpaper or decorative plaster. A modern interior solution will be the creation of a darker accent plane against the background of light gray walls painted or pasted over with plain wallpaper.
- Floor. Graphite colors harmonize perfectly with beige, brown or white shades that can be reflected in wood flooring. The living room looks no less stylish with a floor finished with gray laminate, parquet or linoleum.
- Ceiling. For the ceiling plane, you can choose pearl, pastel gray or silver. In this case, it is not recommended to choose complex multi-level ceilings, as they will create unnecessary shadows.
The photo shows brickwork and wood flooring in a gray and white living room.
If the surrounding cladding gets boring, thanks to the universal gray design, there is no need to resort to a major overhaul.
You can radically change the interior with the help of accent decor, textiles or furniture elements.
Which furniture is suitable?
Gray furniture items will not overload the living room and at the same time make it elegant. Perfectly fit into the design of white or black furniture. As a stylish accessory, a monochrome room can also be supplemented with a red armchair or other bright element.
Gray wooden furniture looks great. Bedside tables, cabinets, racks and tables of a light gray shade, when the light flux falls at a certain angle, seem to look like marble or stone products.
The photo shows the interior of a gray room with contrasting red furniture.
In the living room, you can install a sofa with exquisite upholstery in a metallic shade or wet asphalt color. Genuine leather, leatherette or luxurious tapestry are chosen as sheathing material.
Decor and lighting
For a laconic gray design, fixtures in the form of spotlights or a rich wrought chandelier with crystal elements are suitable.
Thanks to soft lighting, it will be possible to add new colors and beautiful shimmer to the room.
Luminaires with colorful shades or colored lighting will also be appropriate here, which can become an incredible rich accent of the living room and completely transform the interior.
The photo shows ceiling lighting in the design of a small white and gray room.
To complete the design of the hall and deprive it of excessive severity and dullness, various decorative items will help. On a light gray background, silver, gold, glass and crystal elements will look sophisticated and elegant. You can modify the interior perception with the help of a variety of figurines, vases, wall mirrors or paintings.
For the most calm design, decor in muted colors is used, and for a contrasting and emotional environment, accessories in bright colors are used.
Furniture in a gray living room is complemented with fur capes and decorate the room with live potted plants, vases with freshly cut flowers or tubs with mini trees.
The photo shows a gray living room with bright wall posters in black frames.
Which curtains to choose?
For a more classic setting, choose sand, cream, beige, baby blue or pink peach curtains. Yellow or orange curtains harmonize well with the smoky interior palette, giving the hall a certain emotionality.
Patterned textiles with elegant stripes, floral prints or abstractions can be paired with a plain wallcovering.
The photo shows a room in gray colors with orange roller blinds on the window.
Decorating the hall in various styles
Quartz, charcoal, anthracite, granite and other gray colors best reveal the specifics of various style solutions.
Modern style in a gray living room
For example, for the hi-tech direction, a silver and steel palette is especially often used, which is combined with white, black, red color, metal and gloss elements.
Authentic Scandinavian homes feature pearl grays, while French interiors feature warm and soft grays.
The photo shows the interior of the gray kitchen of the living room, made in an industrial loft style.
Monochrome gamma is almost an integral part of laconic minimalism. The interior is sometimes diluted with a bright accent in the form of a wall picture, sofa cushions or one armchair.
Gray is no less popular in industrial loft style. Concrete, brick or stucco surfaces pair well with light gray curtains and a mouse-colored upholstery sofa.
Classic style in the living room
Light gray shades of Gainsboro or zircon merge into the classic design and blend perfectly with snow-white stucco decor and wooden furniture items with carvings or forgings.
For neoclassic, elegant gray-beige colors are supposed to be used. To create a truly aristocratic atmosphere, the living room is decorated with bronze decor, crystal lamps and furniture with golden or silver patination.
The photo shows a neoclassical room decorated in light gray colors.
Photo gallery
A sober, elegant and sophisticated gray hue that emphasizes the beauty, original shapes and textures of the living room.
34013 interior photos, tips on design, decoration, selection of furniture, style of a gray living room in combination with white, brown, pink
In fact, this is not at all the case: the whole secret lies in the correct selection of the right shades. Only then the living room in gray tones will turn into a fashionable and stylish room, comfortable for relaxing and meeting guests.
Pros and cons of gray
The popularity of this shade among designers is primarily due to its versatility and practicality. Also, gray color combines different details and other tones into a single whole. Among other advantages it is worth noting:
- the possibility of decorating the room in any style;
- if the gray tone is the main one, then you can change the design of the room by simply changing the color of the textiles, which will radically transform the living room - while the costs will be minimal;
- gray color is practical: it does not fade and dirt is hardly noticeable on it;
- The dominance of gray in the living room promotes deep relaxation.
Design: Olga Chernenko
Basic rules for using gray
In order for the gray color to show its maximum of its advantages, some rules must be observed when using it. This will help you create a truly cozy interior.
- Using this shade as a base color, choose only light shades for small spaces.
- In a monochromatic interior, dilute the background with pastel colors: beige, peach or cream.
- In a small living room, make the ceiling as light as possible, and the protruding walls and niches dark. This will visually increase the volume of the room.
- For large rooms, feel free to use the monochrome design option. The union of gray with pearl, graphite or anthracite tones looks good.
- If the room is narrow and small, use warm shades: gray-green or natural ebony. Cold tones are suitable for spacious living rooms: ice, silver, steel.
- When buying furniture, keep in mind that it should not have exactly the same shade as the walls: otherwise, the products will simply be lost in the overall environment.
Cabinets and sofas, armchairs, shelves will be clearly visible against the main background if their tone is lighter than the walls. But there is an exception that applies to excessively small rooms: it is allowed to put furniture in the same shades as the walls. Thus, the bulkiness of products will be reduced.
- The use of bright decorative details for the living room in gray tones is a must. These can be classic figurines, paintings in original frames, posters, green houseplants, landscape photos or posters (for the loft style).
Design: Zhenya Zhdanova
Bright accent elements in the interior
The hall is a place where the family gathers, guests come here; so this room should attract attention and please everyone. Bright colors can help with this, enlivening the living room in gray tones. The role of accents can be played by accessories or furniture that have brown, yellow, red or green colors.
Blue is also suitable - it adds some severity and coldness to the interior, which suits business people who are used to getting relaxation in public places: clubs, restaurants.
Feel free to use sofa cushions, vases, lamps, rugs as "revitalizing" elements. Sometimes they even glue wallpaper with bright inserts of small sizes. The main thing here is not to overdo it.
Wall decoration in gray tone
First you need to decide on the choice of shade, for which you need to assess the level of illumination of the room. In a fairly bright room, use darker shades and vice versa. When choosing a color for floor and ceiling finishing materials, apply the following rules:
- the flooring must be darker than the walls;
- ceiling - lighter than wallpaper;
- the floor is darker than the furniture.
Lightened ceiling gives more volume to the living room in gray tones. The same can be said about the walls. If their finishing material is light enough, then the room visually increases. There is a small nuance: in an overly elongated hall, decorate the end walls using dark shades - this will visually make the living room wide and short.
Don't make the mistake of making the floor too light. In this case, there is a feeling of lack of support. In turn, the dark ceiling, as it were, brings the walls closer, causing a feeling of tightness. The use of gray material for wall decoration is most appropriate in styles:
- high-tech;
- minimalism;
- modern;
- abstract art.
When decorating a living room in gray tones, wallpaper is the most preferred finishing material. Manufacturers offer a fairly wide range of them: you can choose material with different textures and shades.
Gray and white combination
These are two similar monochrome colors, so together they look very harmonious. Gray and white shades are actively used to create modern, art deco interiors, less often classics. Many people replace pure white with its shades: creamy, dark milky, etc. Interesting combinations are also created if different textures are used - for example, wallpaper or plaster.
All this helps to create a cozy and comfortable interior.
Design: Jean-Louis Deniot
Gray and brown
Most designers associate this living room design with the rustic style common in the UK. Brown in alliance with gray soothes: the neighborhood of these tones seems elegant, soft. At the same time, this combination does not distract from the decor elements. The decoration of the hall using gray and brown can be done in several ways:
- natural wood furniture and gray wallpaper;
- dairy furniture plus brown-grey rug or carpet;
- brown wall surfaces and gray furniture (the latter look elegant, luxurious and expensive, convincing guests of the excellent taste of the owner of the living space).
Design: Yana Molodykh
Combination with pink
This combination looks fresh and gentle, it never irritates and promotes good relaxation. After all, it is because of him that the family spends time in the living room.
If you use a bright shade of pink, you get an original accent, typical for styles such as hi-tech or loft.
Design: Elena Lazareva
Let's add green
In this case, the interior is natural. This is due to the fact that green is a natural color. Here you can use indoor plants with wide leaves or curtains, a rug of the same tones. It is important to remember that you do not need too much green. From shades choose olive, malachite, lime, etc.
Design: Marina Zhukova
Gray and red
A very interesting combination. But you need to remember that the red color is quite provocative and therefore there cannot be too much of it. In a gray living room, it is enough for curtains or chairs to have a red tint, plus a few decorating elements.
Design: Olga Kulikovskaya-Ashby, Interior Box
Dilute with blue
The combination of these tones gives the hall peace and tranquility. Blue color is characterized by saturation, depth.
When choosing its shades, try to make the furniture lighter than the walls. Also, golden and silver tones can be considered a good addition, in which accessories are painted: for example, curtains or sofa cushions.
Design: Nikolay Nikitin
Gray with blue
This combination is used when the blue color seems oversaturated. The presence of blue gives airiness to the room, making it fresh and airy. Based on this combination, you can decorate the hall in a Mediterranean style. When using a combination, make the walls gray and the furniture blue (or vice versa).
Design: Marina Pilipenko and Ekaterina Fedorova
Diversity of shades in the living room: from dark to silver
Tones range from almost white to almost black. Such variability allows you to choose the most suitable design option in accordance with your taste. It is worth noting that the described tone is achromatic, that is, it does not contain other color pigments.
Warm and rich color gives the hall nobility and some luxury. But cool tones, reminiscent of steel, are associated with a “factory” interior. It is necessary to work with such shades carefully, even in such pseudo-industrial styles as hi-tech or loft. Manufacturers of finishing materials know the above features and most often offer the following shades:
- smoke;
- ashes;
- french grey, etc.
Of the cold tones, white lead and tin are the most popular.
Design: Alexander Akimenkov Studio
Furniture in a gray living room
If you visit a furniture store, you can see that this color is used quite often. Usually it is upholstery that looks very elegant. The most popular are metallic shades, as well as concrete or wet asphalt. The latter gives upholstered furniture an expensive and luxurious look: natural leather can play the role of upholstery, in some cases - tapestry.
Keep not only sofas and armchairs in the colors described: a dark milky coffee table will look elegant in combination with milky chairs.
That is, it is not at all necessary to buy exclusively all pieces of furniture in gray.
For example, the natural brown tone of wood looks interesting in combination with a concrete-colored leather sofa. Outside the recreation area, the described shade is appropriate for hanging shelves, cabinets. Gray color gives elegance and at the same time unloads the interior without cluttering it.
Design: Marion Studio
Gray textiles and additional elements
Many people forget that one of the main components of the interior is elements that are invisible at first sight. But it is they who often form the character of the design. If your furniture and surfaces are light, then buy decor details in darker colors. Curtains in the color of wet asphalt look exceptionally stylish. The silvery shades of the lamps will bring elegance to the interior, and the sofa cushions that draw attention to themselves and pull to lie down to rest.
Style directions
According to most designers, the described color is appropriate in modern interior design.
