Is the color slate gray or blue

What Color Is Slate? 16 Ways to Decorate with Slate

Proem Studio

Color can transform a space, so getting your palette right counts for a lot. One easy place to start? With a versatile but unexpected neutral—like slate gray.

“Slate gray is the color of dark concrete or natural flagstone,” Brenna Morgan, owner and principal designer at Brenna Morgan Interiors, says. “It is a fantastic deep neutral that plays well with other colors.”

In other words? Slate can be an incredibly fun color to decorate with because it can do it all. It’ll make a striking addition to a space in need of a bold accent color, and if you use it from floor-to-ceiling, it’s sure to leave a room feeling incredibly cozy.

Still drawing a blank on how to use the striking neutral? We've got you covered. Ahead, we've rounded up 16 stunning slate gray interiors and 16 different ways to decorate with the color slate.

01 of 16

Ashley Montgomery Design

Picking a kitchen cabinet color is never easy. You want something that’s bold enough to make a statement and versatile enough to suit your space. It can be tough to strike this balance, but slate does so masterfully.

Since the striking shade is neutral, it should play well with your shelves and countertops as well as everything lining them.

02 of 16

Devon Grace Interiors

Slate may be a neutral, but it’s a pretty heavy color. Slate accent pieces can be a great way to add visual weight to your space. Look for bare walls, empty corners, and anywhere else that feels a little sparse. A slate gray décor piece—like a striking mirror—may be just what the spot needs.

03 of 16

Cathie Hong Interiors

Slate gray tiles make a lovely addition to any bathroom. Why? They’re bold without being particularly loud, so you can craft the statement-making space you’re looking for without disrupting the serenity of your next bath.

"High-traffic and high-use rooms are perfect for a slate floor," Morgan says. She adds that the color may be particularly great in a kitchen, laundry room, or mudroom. Since your bathroom is a pretty high-use area, we suspect it also deserves a spot on that list.

04 of 16

Ashley Montgomery Design

Everything pairs well with neutrals—including other neutrals. If you’re drawing a blank when decorating with slate, consider combining the color with some of your neutral go-tos.

05 of 16

Calimia Home

Most art is made up of a few different colors, but some art is made of just one color or at least one color predominantly. This can be intimidating if the color you’re dealing with is a bold one. But, if it’s a versatile neutral, like slate, it should make an easy but statement-making addition to your walls.

06 of 16

Amy Bartlam

Filling a room with color from floor to ceiling can be a daunting prospect. After all, most colors are best in small doses. But since slate is so versatile, it’s actually up to the task. Sure, it’s a darker color than you might be used to seeing in every corner of a room. But if what you’re after is a cozy, sophisticated atmosphere, it’s sure to deliver.

Not sure which room to paint slate gray from top to bottom? Kristin Bartone, creative director and principal designer at Bartone Interiors, has a couple of recommendations. "Slate grey would be a great color choice for bedrooms or powder rooms," she says. "Bedrooms that are painted darker colors evoke a sense of grounded calmness. Powder rooms are typically smaller square footage, and painting the walls a darker color actually helps the space seem larger."

07 of 16

Devon Grace Interiors

The color slate gets its name from slate rock—a rock that is, unsurprisingly, slate gray in color. This material isn’t the kind of thing you’ll find in furniture that frequently, but it is featured in some sleek tables, giving you the chance to stock up on slate in the most literal way possible.

08 of 16

Katie Martinez Design

Since gray is part-black and part-white, it can act as an intermediary between the two striking shades. This makes slate gray—and really, any gray—a useful color to have in your palette. While the color won’t blend black and white together, it will soften the contrast between them, creating more visual harmony.

09 of 16

Katie Martinez Design

Most of the time we see crisp, solid-colored paint jobs, but they’re not the only options on offer. If you’re craving something a little unexpected, you can opt for a textured paint job, one that looks like watercolors have been blended together on your wall.

Of course, a choice like this can easily overwhelm a space. But if you start with a subtler base color like slate, you’re more likely to end up with something that feels striking but serene.

10 of 16

Blue Copper Design

Your bath time necessities may not seem like décor, but if they’re in full view at all times, they’ll begin to function that way. Think of your bath towels as another piece of décor and snag a set in a shade you want more of in your space. Not sure what color to pick? You can always opt for a bold-but-versatile neutral—like slate.

11 of 16

Rikki Snyder

When designing a monochromatic interior, you have to stick to just one color, but you can still play with tone. If your all-light-gray bedroom is looking a little drab, add visual interest by throwing a few lighter and darker pieces into the mix. Even one slate gray piece may be what you need to bring your space together.

12 of 16

Calimia Home

Remember that every accent piece is adding some kind of color to your space, even if it doesn’t seem like it. A black-and-white photograph can look slate gray from afar, especially if there are a lot of dark tones in it. This can be a clever and textured way to sneak a little slate gray into your space.

13 of 16

Julian Porcino

Slate gray is naturally found in many materials, and we’re not just talking about slate rock. You can also find slabs of slate gray marble. These investment pieces would surely complement your sleekest wooden cabinets, adding color and texture to your space in equal measure.

14 of 16

Devon Grace Interiors

A gray-on-gray space may sound a little bland. But in reality, it can be incredibly dynamic. If you’ve picked slate gray as your starting point and you’re not sure where to go next, consider layering different shades of gray.

What’s nice? Since the colors are so similar, they’re sure to play well together. And if you really want to bring your space together, you can frame the room by using your darkest tones on the ceiling and along the floor.

15 of 16

Proem Studio

If you’ve filled a room with bold shades like black and white, you may be wondering how to bring it all together. When in doubt, you can reliably add slate. Slate gray will mellow out your boldest blacks and your crispest whites, helping you find harmony between the two, and it should also have a softening effect on warmer pieces, like wooden furniture or gold-printed rugs.

16 of 16

Jessica Nelson Design

A huge couch in a bold color can be a pain to decorate with. That is, unless the bold color in question is slate gray. Since slate is so dark, it feels incredibly eye-catching. But at the end of the day, it’s still a neutral—so it should be about as versatile as a more classic black or white.

If you’re looking for a way to add show-stoppers in your space, consider stocking up on them in slate gray. The color should look pretty great in large doses, and accessorizing should be a breeze.

In addition to making a striking addition to your home, slate can also make a practical one. Since the neutral is so dark, it hides wear and tear well. "If you have kids or pets, slate-colored upholstery on a sofa hides stains and fur," Morgan says.

23 Timeless and Sophisticated Ways to Decorate With Charcoal Gray

What color is slate? A popular choice for the modern home |

(Image credit: Mark Bolton, Little Greene)

As there are a spectrum of different gray shades out there, with gray being an enduringly popular color for decoration in the home, we ask the question, what color is slate?

Named after the metamorphic rock of the same color, known for being used as a building material for flooring and roof tile designs, slate is considered to be a gray shade with beautiful blue undertones.

When planning room color ideas, slate can bring a sense of the outdoors into the home, as well as create a sophisticated, modern scheme, working well for both classic and contemporary interiors. A versatile neutral, when decorating with gray, working with the color slate can bring a timeless appeal to your chosen environment.

What color is slate? We explore how to decorate with slate

(Image credit: Paul Raeside)

On the color wheel, slate is a tertiary color that is created through a mix of purple and green - a tertiary color is made when combining equal amounts of a primary and secondary color.

As slate is a mixed color, there are many different shades available, with some closer to dark gray and some closer to blue, however typically, slate is regarded as a gray shade.

Sue Wadden, director of color marketing at Sherwin-Williams states, 'slate, based on the rock material of the same name, is an earthy shade of gray that can range from deep to light. '

When using the color slate in interior design, whether through paint, soft furnishings, or the actual stone itself, the color offers an array of possibilities. Ideal for neutral room ideas, as well as for being bold with paint ideas, slate can be used to create both a subtle and striking effect in a space.

Justyna Korczynska, senior designer at Crown Paints states, 'different shades of gray are hugely versatile – they have more color and texture within them than straight black – a monochrome scheme of black and white is much more unforgiving than one of shades of slate and clay, which will change subtlety with the light throughout the day, giving them personality and character.'

What color is close to slate?

(Image credit: Mark Bolton)

Slate is popularly known to be a shade of gray, inspired by the natural colors and varieties of slate rock. As the color stems from a mix of purple and green, there are many slate shades with these subtle undertones, as well as others that are similar to different shades of gray.

As slate is a mixed, tertiary color, there are always going to be a variety of options to choose from when planning your slate décor ideas.

Is slate more blue or gray?

(Image credit: Future)

When looking at the color slate, there are often two main categories of slate shades to choose from, slate gray and slate blue.

As slate is a mixed color with blue undertones, there are many shades that are more blue or purple in appearance, however traditionally, and especially in reference to the color of slate rock, slate is considered a gray shade.

Patrick O’Donnell, Farrow & Ball brand ambassador states, 'slate is often perceived as a dark blue / gray – our perennially popular Railings would fit into this category at the darker end of the slate spectrum.'

There are a variety of shades to choose from, so when planning your slate décor ideas, deciding on a light or dark shade with blue or dark gray undertones is a good place to start.

What colors go with slate?

(Image credit: Little Greene)

When slate is paired with vibrant, bold accent colors, this color contrast can create a dynamic and elegant color palette for the home. In this hallway space, the bright orange chair and painted feature stripe work beautifully with the slate painted walls and white painted paneling - a great choice for accent colors for gray.

Justyna Korczynska states, 'I love gray in the bedroom – either a really watery tone for a bright and clean look, or a deep slate or charcoal for more drama. Really anything goes with either – a shocking pink, a touch of metallic, a deep mustard – you need to choose the atmosphere that you want to create, and decide whether that means you want to use deep and dramatic tones, or light and reflective ones'.

Slate can also create a grounding, relaxed environment when united with other, adaptable neutral shades, forming a calming environment with a reference to the outside world.

Sue Wadden states, 'over the past few years, we’ve begun to see popular tones of gray shift from cooler, modern tones to warmer hues inspired by nature. The earthy undertones in Slate Tile make for a grounding hue that pairs well with warm neutrals like Shoji White. '

Zara joined Homes & Gardens in February 2022 as a Content Editor. After studying English Literature at University, she worked as an Ecommerce Website Editor, Content Writer and Buying Intern at multiple independent businesses within the luxury retail and lifestyle sectors. Her role at Homes & Gardens unites her love, experience and passion for the world of design and desire to create inspiring written content. She enjoys nothing more than discovering new trends, brands and products, whether that be in fashion, interior design or lifestyle.

Grey-blue and its combination

Blue-gray - the color of stone, sea water on a cloudy day. In this color, restraint, strength, wisdom, as well as freedom and independence.

Gray - eternity, stability, facelessness. Blue - sublimity, ideological, spirituality. Their union leads to the infinity of the spiritual in the material, and the color gives peace, confidence, relaxation and security.
Such amazing qualities of the shade did not go unnoticed by society. In combination with a rough fabric - jeans - blue-gray came into fashion and stayed here forever. And strangely enough, the “homeland” of the denim color is the United States, a country that pays so much attention to independence.

Contents

1 Shades of blue-gray
2 Complex combination of blue-gray
3 Combination of gray-blue in palettes
4 Combination of gray-blue in the table
5 Combination of blue-grey in clothes 901 901 blue-gray in clothes
7 blue-gray in the interior

Shades of blue gray

Blue-gray can be any subtone of blue: blue-green, bright blue, dark blue, violet-blue. This gamut starts from gray-blue and ends almost black, which means that it has a very wide light range. The main unifying link will be the presence of a decent admixture of gray, which often serves as a color warming factor.

Sophisticated combination of blue-grey

Blue-gray can have both simple and complex combinations. For example:

- with dark purple (2) - creates light contrast. These colors are combined because purple contains blue. Its presence gives depth, as the eye also sees intermediate shades between blue-gray and dark purple.

- with emerald (3) create a mystical pair. It is also based on depth and intermediate tones, but unlike the previous tandem, it is more contrast due to a stronger difference in lightness.

You can complement the range with white chalk, pale green and light ocher.

Combination of gray-blue in palettes

Coarse fabric
Coarse fabric has a pronounced texture, uneven coloring, which makes compositions natural and expressive. For example, the combination of coarse burlap in gray-blue and beige is reminiscent of life close to the earth: gardens, animals and simple food. The palette includes white-gray-beige, beige, gray-green-blue,
chocolate, black-gray-blue.

Fabric dyeing
Fabric dyeing in third world countries is done by hand in culturally established ways. And this is not only tradition, but also a kind of show for us, the children of the industry, where color loses its lively character. The composition includes white-blue, light blue, gray-green-blue, emerald green, gray-blue, black-blue.

Dead wood behind a village fence
Dead wood is a dried beauty of summer, sometimes it sets off the grayness of winter. The same shot is full of color: sunny, warm, brown, blue, and a painted simple fence, full of rough naturalness, brings a special charm. The color scheme includes pale white-yellow, pale brown, gray-blue-green,
blue, grey-blue, black-brown.

Bucket for a well
Another simple but juicy picture, where gray-blue is nobly intertwined with shades of rust and expands with the crimson range of wilted girlish grapes. A dark composition, with gaps of blue, it excites with its warm-cold contrast. The palette consists of pale blue, red, wine, taupe, gray-blue, black.

Grey-blue combination in table

Gray-blue is a soft color and in combination he also prefers muted shades. Its non-harsh contrast focuses on color differences and warm-cold resonance. These are exquisite couples, characterized by grace and serenity. The shade tends to be neutral, but at the same time it can be called cold. Warm shades significantly transform it, such as red, yellow, orange, pink, brown.

The combination of gray-blue and pink is gentle and light. Warm, light muted shades are preferred. The more complex they are, the more harmonious the couple. A pronounced warm-cold contrast acts in the combination, and if it is enhanced by light, then the composition blooms. The table includes royal pink, rose ash, strawberry, flamingo, amaranth.

Gray-blue is combined with red very carefully, since among the shades of red there are few muted ones, it is worth choosing them carefully. Saturated thermal contrast even at low light difference will make the palette interesting. Choose cool or cloudy shades of red. For example, a combination with alizarin, red chicory, ruby, red earth, wine.

How to combine gray-blue with orange? Let's ignore the bright colors of orange and fire and choose an autumn range that will present us the main tone very favorably. It is knitted with additional contrast, which is considered the most expressive, but since the colors are not pure, the shocking effect of opposites is softened. The palette includes light peach, the last breath of Jaco, ocher, copper, red.

Grey-blue-yellow color combination - summer, inspiring. If pure shades in such a pair give a dramatic effect due to too deep contrast, then the combination of golden tones and soft blue looks fresh and positive. The darker the yellow, the more attractive the composition. The palette is made up of champagne, wheat, pale gold, curry, old gold.

Grey-blue pairs with warm green for a natural pair of warm-cold contrasts. This calm combination can look expensive and stylish, especially if the greens are "lively" or deepened with whiter lighter or darker shades. The color scheme includes pale green, avocado, olive, greens, dark green.

Grey-blue and cool green combine in a light, cool, calm combination. This pair can be both independent and a background for warmer colors. Shades of green smoothly flow into blue and vice versa, deepening each other. The table used the color of water, light gray-green, wormwood, emerald green, malachite.

Grey-blue and blue, light blue - a combination of in one color scheme. It is essentially a gradient where the main tone is enhanced by a shadow - darker tones of blue and highlights - blue: light and medium. This palette is more suitable for the background than as the main composition. For example, consider a combination with pale blue, thrush egg color, dark turquoise, blueberry, thunderstorm.

Grey/Purple: The color combination combined with blue but diluted with red gives the pair a slight thermal contrast. Violet tones with a pink tint delicately and softly set off the muted blue, and dark purple scales highlight it, falling into deep shadow themselves. Lilac-lilac, orchid, blackberry, charoite, gray-violet participated in the composition.

The combination of gray-blue and brown is concise, natural. These completely different colors are drawn to each other, giving each a fuller meaning. Complex brown - warm, complex. It can be thought of as a shade of orange that is complementary to blue. Thus, this composition is even more attractive than its prototype. The palette is made up of oak, bronze, tree bark, coffee, dark chestnut.

Grey-blue and white, beige, grey, black are combined in favor of the former. Neutral colors give it a different meaning. So, for example, in combination with white, the couple will acquire an immaculate look with a marine bias, with beige - the grace of a lady, with gray - softness and style, with black - rigor. Milky, latte, gray-brown, wet asphalt, black took part in the table.

Blue-grey in clothes

Grey-blue is a classic denim shade. It does not come in a contrasting appearance, such as "summer" and "autumn". For the “winter” and “spring” color types, it can only be used in a contrasting combination with bright shades.
Blue-gray suits a comfortable style of clothing. He is especially good in compositions with soft complex shades. Noble fabrics of this color will work well in the office and at business meetings. More simple: linen, jeans - on vacation. The lighter the shade, the more positive impression it will make. Soft blue betrays self-confidence. In it you will become a stronghold of wisdom and fidelity.

The combination of blue and gray in clothes

Blue-gray belongs to the base color, that is, it is multifunctional, can create different styles, and can be easily combined. Combinations in clothes with him are soft, stylish, can be strict and businesslike, or they can take a comfortable form of casual style or have ethnic motifs.

The combination of blue-gray with black is elegant. Black, like an expensive color, against which any color becomes juicier, even with a gray undertone. You can add a pair of gray and silver.

White combines with blue-gray summer, sea notes, which make the image fresh and bright. The colder the shade of blue, the cooler the tone of white will suit it. Often the pair is diluted with light beige and/or pale gold.

Gray brings grace, and white and silver will help to strengthen the combination.

Beige is the epitome of elegance. It will always help transform any combination. Black, gold and brown will help him.

Brown in combination with gray-blue lands the latter. The composition looks sweet, sincere. For contrast, beige or black is added to it.

Orange will help the main color to cross the border of severity. This juicy, playful couple is more suitable for relaxation. White is often added to it.

Pink in combination with blue-gray adds romance, feminine sensitivity. It can be accompanied by white and light beige.

Bright red colors will help to tailor the combination for a contrasting look. But in this case, at least a piece of a bright tone should be closer to the face. The combination is diluted with white, blue, gold or bright print.

Yellow in combination, like sunlight illuminates the image, especially if it is supported by white or light beige.

Neon yellow green paired with gray blue for a contrasting look, but calm green tones, especially if brown notes are added to the combination, are a pleasant, modest composition that can be very stylish.

Violet deepens the gray-blue and if you do not add contrast to it with the help of lilac, purple, black, then the color scheme will merge into a dark, monochromatic "mess".

Blue-grey interior

Gray-blue is perfect for the bedroom, bathroom, baby boy. Often this is a casual, comfortable design with a combination of white, blue-gray and brown shades. But this relaxing tone can also be exotic. It can be entered, for example, in an Indian interior.
Thick, stylized floor mattresses and light colored pillows, bedspreads. You can lay carpets on the floor or lay it out with white stone. Decorate niches in the wall with ethnic accessories, or simple glass vases of various shapes. Substitute stylized clay tables for household items, oil lamps. In such a room, light-colored fabric ceilings will look good. And cabinets are better open from untreated wood.

Against the background of a dark gray-blue color, the shape of light objects is well drawn, so you can use lattice objects or fancy shapes of lamps in the design. Surprisingly, juicy greenery in brown clay pots looks amazing against this background. For soft blue in the interior, the texture of the floor is very important, it should be as close as possible to the natural one: rough, with color tints, preferably much lighter than blue-gray, but if it is dark, then it is separated from the color of the wall by a wide white plinth.

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