Living room grey wall paint
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.
50 Best Living Room Color Ideas
Read McKendree
When it comes to living room design, a flattering color palette is one of the first aspects you need to nail down. It will likely drive the whole design scheme and set the mood for years to come. Plus, your living room is probably the most-used room in the house, so choosing colors that make you look forward to spending time in it is a must! Whether you want something bold and bright, neutral, or dark and moody, we've laid out tons of designer-approved living room paint color ideas to help you get inspired. All you have to do is put on your overalls and grab a roller—or, you know, hire someone else to do the dirty work. The hardest part will be deciding between all of these living room colors.
But once you do, you can start shopping for the decor.
🏡You love finding new design tricks. So do we. Let us share the best of them.
Seth Smoot
1 of 50
Gray-Purple
In a Cape Cod-style home for a couple of empty nesters, designer Lauren Nelson painted the living room walls in Farrow & Ball's Dove Tale—a warm gray with purple undertones. It keeps the atmosphere neutral yet inviting.
2 of 50
Pearl
A soft white paint with a slight gray tone to it can easily make your living room a spot you want to spend all day in. Take it from designer Sharon Rembaum, who dressed this living room with textured pieces in a neutral color palette to boost its overall coziness.
TREVOR PARKER
3 of 50
Cerulean Blue
Designer Garrow Kedigan made use of Lakeside Cabin by Benjamin Moore on the walls of this cozy corner. The faded cerulean blue acts as a soft backdrop to the rich orange and gold decor and dark gray sofa.
Sean Litchfield
4 of 50
Cloudy Green
Reminiscent of the outdoors and luxurious spas, sage green can instantly make your living room feel welcoming. In this speakeasy-inspired room by Brooklinteriors, Art Deco, Eastern World, and bohemian elements are blended together on a background of Clare's Dirty Martini paint for an opulent but casual atmosphere.
Alyssa Rosenheck
5 of 50
Sunny Yellow
Sunny yellow walls can instantly brighten up your living room— no matter if you have big windows or small openings for natural light. In this room designed by Taylor Anne Interiors, Farrow & Ball's Citron adds energy to the tropical-yet-modern space.
Haris Kenjar
6 of 50
Ebony
Set a moody yet cozy scene by painting your walls and ceiling in a soft shade of ebony. For designer Sean Anderson's client, comfort and function in the living room were crucial for entertaining. He painted the room in Iron Ore by Sherwin-Williams and layered items that told the homeowner's story to enhance the welcoming atmosphere.
Mali Azima
7 of 50
Red Clay
Designed by Melanie Turner, this living room's walls are painted in Windswept Canyon by Sherwin-Williams. The assortment of furniture styles is united by a common colorway that pairs nicely with the paint.
LAUREY GLENN
8 of 50
Frost Blue
Frost blue walls—in Benjamin Moore's Philipsburg Blue, to be exact—offer the right amount of softness in this formal dining room designed by Jenny Wolf. Gold framed art and a textured rug add warmth near the fireplace.
2022 TREVOR PARKER PHOTOGRAPHY
9 of 50
Teal
"It’s a vibrant happy blue while not being too overwhelming, says designer Rudy Saunders of the color on the walls of his Upper East Side studio apartment. It's Fine Paints of Europe Jefferson Blue from the Dorothy Draper paint collection.
Bjorn Wallander
10 of 50
Sangria
Designer Krsnaa Mehta aimed for a salon feel in the heart of his India home. The sangria-and-blue palette of the living room achieves that inviting look that's best suited for entertaining.
Lisa Romerein
11 of 50
Cream
This sunny living room designed by Thomas Callaway exudes warmth, despite the grand size and ceiling height. Callaway broke the room into zones to enhance intimacy and then used soft buttery glaze on the walls to give the room a golden glow, and layered rich yet mellow fabrics.
Jared Kuzia Photography
12 of 50
Dark Blue-Green
Designer Cecilia Casagrande chose rich jewel tones for this Boston Colonial living room. It's classic yet fresh. The paint color—Farrow & Ball Hague Blue—in particular, straddles that duality of modern and traditional styles, perfect for a historic home. Casagrande also mixed contemporary elements with more traditional ones to further play with that juxtaposition between old and new.
Thijs de Leeuw/Space Content/Living Inside
13 of 50
Dusty Rose
Atelier ND and homeowner Carice Van Houten used a variety of plant species to liven up the room and create visual intrigue with different heights and shapes.
It really freshens up the bold pastels and rich earthy tones for a unique composition. Pro tip: Don't forget to paint the ceiling for a more immersive impression.
Anna Spiro Design
14 of 50
Buttercream
Instead of painting the walls blue, designer Anna Spiro covered the hardwood floors in a cheerful blue color. She also made the windows extra sunny by painting the frames buttercream yellow.
Brie Williams
15 of 50
Pitch Black
Dark black walls and lots of warm gold and caramel tones make this living room designed by Ariene Bethea super cozy but also formal and regal—the ideal balance if your living room doubles as the family room. She used Tricorn Black by Sherwin-Williams.
Kendall McCaugherty
16 of 50
Peach
The open floor plan in this Chicago family apartment designed by Bruce Fox called for cohesion between the dining and living room areas. That soft peachy paint and deep pink sofa are reflected in the printed armchair at the head of the dining table, and also mimic the rosy glow of the pendant light.
The color scheme was inspired by a photograph taken of the family in London during spring when the city was veiled in cherry blossoms.
Read McKendree
17 of 50
Clay
Dark gray walls can be a bit brooding, like storm clouds, but in the case of this sunny Manhattan apartment by Elizabeth Cooper, they look playful and contemporary. Cheerful pinks, a dash of cobalt blue, traditional granny-chic patterns, and whimsical artwork lighten the mood.
Nicole Franzen
18 of 50
Off-White
While bright colors can help liven up a room, it's not the only route. Take this neutral-toned living room by Kristin Fine: Soft and texture-rich upholstery mix with off-white paint, rustic wood pieces, and plenty of antique accents to make a surprisingly modern impression with lots of character.
Robert McKinley
19 of 50
Olive
Robert McKinley wanted to keep the color scheme in this country retreat earthy and neutral but also wanted to inject it with a little warmth.
He opted for a quietly sophisticated shade of olive green for the walls while the chose a cream color for the wood-paneled ceiling.
Chris Mottalini
20 of 50
Steel Gray
This New York City living room designed by Nanette Brown is a lesson in dark paint decorating that strikes the balance between formal and casual, sophisticated and easy-going, elevated and cozy. The exact color pictured is Amethyst Shadow from Benjamin Moore.
Paul Raeside
21 of 50
Light Lime Green
Take your cues from the bold pattern mixing and modern artwork on display in this living room designed by Les Ensembliers. A light green color on the ceiling is an unexpected surprise that ties the whole room together. Here, it pairs beautifully with the yellow curtains, geometric green ottoman, and plenty of gray tones throughout.
Paul Raeside
22 of 50
Lemon Yellow
Does the thought of painting your living room yellow scare you to your very core? How about now that you've seen this timeless and cheerful living room designed by Michael Maher? One glance at this space, and we're about ready to repaint our own: It radiates warmth and offsets the cool blue tones.
Heidi Caillier
23 of 50
Light Fawn
This muted fawn color in a living room designed by Heidi Caillier is hard to pin down, and that's exactly why we like it. Not quite brown, not quite beige, it's a nice offbeat eath-tone option that functions as a neutral.
Simon Watson
24 of 50
Glossy Black-Green
Deep, dark, and glossy, the lacquered black-blue-green color makes this living room by Kristin Hein and Philip Cozzi seductive and mysterious. Paired with bohemian furniture and accents, the more moody qualities become more approachable and cozy.
Maura McEvoy
25 of 50
Kelly Green Splash
"I love the juxtaposition between the traditional space and the modern staircase," says Eliza Crater of Sister Parish Design. The rich kelly green accent wall and decorative floral curtains help bring some fullness and warmth to otherwise all-white surfaces in her home.
Bjorn Wallander
26 of 50
Charcoal
The traditional, neutral furniture in this room designed by Balsamo Antiques and Interior Design make a minimal visual impact so the moody colors, artwork, light fixtures, and other decorative accents can stand out.
A deep, almost purple-gray tone turns out to be a wonderfully complex and evocative backdrop, so don't be afraid to try something different.
Douglas Friedman
27 of 50
Navy
Ann Pyne worked with decorative painter Arthur Fowler to create a contrasting geometric pattern on the walls. "I think of the puzzle-like shapes as a metaphor—it's a game of fitting all these disparate 'treasures' into a graphically coherent whole," she says. Matte navy blue and a gritty mustard tone work together to set a pensive and seductive backdrop—perfect for a smaller living room.
Heather Hilliard
28 of 50
Crisp White
A crisp, matte white is totally timeless. Sherwin-Williams Pure White is there for you when you're not interested in going for a trending paint color.
Francesco Lagnese
29 of 50
Mint Green
Channel a lush tropical oasis, as Thomas Jayne and William Cullum did, with this fresh color. In a living room where the paint stretches all the way up to the rafters, the hue changes depending on the way the light hits it, shifting between sharp mint and soft sea foam green.
Paul Raeside
30 of 50
Khaki
Designer Garrow Kedigian defines a neutral as "anything that isn't jarring," which is a super helpful way to reframe things if cream, white, or gray simply isn't cutting it in your living room and you can't figure out why. Certain spaces just call for something outside the box, whether it's because of an architectural style, light exposures, or existing furniture. Here, the walls are painted Benjamin Moore's Rattan.
90,000 gray paint for walls (77 photos) 1Wall painting in the apartment
2
bedroom in gray
3
Dulux 78gg 19/160
4
Dulux Grey 9000
Living room wall paint
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Dark gray walls
8
Designer wall paint
9
Designer wall paint
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Gray blue wall paint
11
Gray Walls in the bedroom
12
Gray wall
13,0003
Dulux 36rr paint 14/002
L500 Tikkurila 9000 17
Tikkurila Tiffany
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Bedroom in gray
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Scandinavian Bedroom Blue
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Dulux Scandinavian White
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Benjamin Moore Gray Beige
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Gray walls in the interior
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Dark ikea bedroom
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Gray in the interior
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Wall colors in the interior
27 900 Wall painting in the bedroom 27 900 900
Painted interior walls
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Dark gray wall paint
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Gradient wall paint
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Scandinavian accent wall
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Gray bedroom 930004 32
Wall color
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Bedroom gray
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Wall paint gray
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Benjamin Moore gray-beige gamma
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Skandinavian style Hugge
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Remain the walls in the living room
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Gray bedroom Scandil
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White furniture in the interior
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Gray wall paint
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Gray walls in the bedroom
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36rr 14/002 Dulux
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Scandinavian White Dulux
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Emerald shades Dulux 9000
50
Bedroom wall painting
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Painted interior walls
52
Gray wall
53
Gray and green color in the interior
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Blue walls in the bedroom
55
Gray wall
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Light gray walls
9000 blue walls59
Wall Gray
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30bb 31/043 Dulux
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Half Wall Wall Panels
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Benjamin Moore Palladian Blue HC-144
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Gray Walls in the interior of the bedroom
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Wall color
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Light gray walls
66
Ceiling plinth in the interior
67
Gray beige walls
68
Accent wall in the bedroom
9000 69 69 69Benjamin Moore simply White OC-117
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Gray purple bedroom
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Hanging lamps above the bed
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Paint bedroom interiors
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Wall painting in the bedroom
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Sofa in the interior
75
Blue accent wall in the living room
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Light gray walls
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Benjamin gray-beige gamma
Best colors in the interior.
Designer advice. Grey. White. Beige
About the grays and neutrals from the "Top 50 Best Selling Paint Colors" palette
The best paint colors for walls and ceilings, according to a professional.
The world's best-selling interior and exterior colors.
The best shades of grey: from almost white to almost black.
How does color change under different lighting conditions?
When choosing a paint color for the interior or exterior of your home, it's a good practice to familiarize yourself with the palettes of the most popular and best-selling colors. Such palettes are formed on the basis of the choice of both professional designers and owners of apartments and houses, and help not to drown in the ocean of thousands of available shades of paint and varnish products. This can often be a great starting point when looking for the perfect color.
Below is a palette of the 50 most popular and best-selling paints of the famous Sherwin-Williams company.
Of these, we select the 12 most versatile and reliable gray and analyze them in more detail. There will be descriptions and tips for using a particular color, with explanations of why this color is more appropriate in certain places and conditions. The “pluses” and “minuses” of the selected colors will also be taken into account.
In this article, we rely on the great experience of US designer Cindy Alred.
Give her the floor:
Repose Gray
The number one color in the world in all paint companies. Of course, this cannot be said with absolute certainty, but I would be very surprised if I knew that this was not so. Repose Gray is a fantastic warm light gray that I highly recommend to my clients because it is perfection when it comes to painting all the walls in the house with neutral light tones.
Pros : Versatility. This gray is especially good because it not only looks beautiful during the day in natural light, but is also one of those rare colors that look great in the dark under artificial light.
When changing the color temperature of the lighting, unpleasant shades do not appear.
Cons : In rooms with plenty of natural light, Repose can produce a very faint bluish-gray cast.
By the way, all the colors on the Repose Gray fan card (card 244) hit the bestseller list, which is not surprising, because this set is just great. These are stunning and versatile colors and you will see some of them below.
Sea Salt
This color is almost as popular as the previous one. The vast majority in the poll named it as their favorite Sherwin-Williams color. You can safely go for it if you are looking for a soothing and serene spa color.
Pros : Peace and serenity. When properly lit, Sea Salt is one of the most beautiful shades of blue-green-gray.
Cons : Has a chameleon effect and can be finicky in certain lighting conditions (usually areas with lots of natural light).
It is very important to do a test run first. This color looks best in rooms with little or no natural light (bathrooms, bedrooms, etc.).
Worldly Gray
This is another trustworthy warm light gray that is very close to Repose Grey, but slightly warmer and darker. I often recommend it to clients over Repose Gray as a general color for the whole interior if there is a lot of natural light in the room, as the former can look too white in such conditions.
Pros: In rooms with lots of natural light, Worldly Gray is perfect and versatile.
Cons : This color will appear darker in places with little natural light, and may look a bit heavier than a traditional warm light grey.
Crushed Ice
I first met Crushed Ice recently when I was redecorating my living room. I chose it as a replacement for Repose Gray (our number one), which looked a bit lighter than I'd like in this space.
And in the end, I just fell in love with him, so I can confidently recommend you to try this color. It's a little lighter, a little cooler, and has a little more pigment than Repose Grey.
Pros : Crushed Ice is a stunning warm light gray that sits between a light (with barely visible color) and a medium tone. A rare gem in the range of intermediate neutrals.
Cons : Crushed Ice looks better in areas with moderate natural light. Not the best choice for rooms without windows.
Dorian Gray
This is another fantastic neutral warm gray in the midtone range. I used it on my client's range hood and it looks beautiful. Dorian Gray also works great as a neutral color for furniture.
Pros : Found on the same color fan card (244) as Repose Grey, but only two shades darker. A very versatile color for walls and cabinets.
Cons: Too much natural light can cause Dorian Gray to become colder and no longer look like a warm grey.
Dovetail
If you're looking for something darker than a neutral mid-tone warm gray, then Dovetail is a great choice. It is well suited for interior doors and cabinets. It is unlikely to be suitable for painting all the walls in the room, but the accent wall of this color will look beautiful.
Pros of : Dovetail is a win-win option when you want to add contrast to a room, but don't want to use very dark tones so as not to lose the overall lightness.
Cons : Dovetail may take on a warmer tone in artificially lit rooms. Although it doesn't hurt him too much, he remains handsome. Drift of Mist It's a very subtle color that I consider to be an almost perfect neutral.
Pros : Drift of Mist is one of those rare colors that solves the problem when neither white nor more saturated colors are suitable.
Cons : There is a very slight hint of muted yellow (very faint).
This is what distinguishes it from white, softening to neutral. And, although I do not like the presence of yellow, but this color I could use at home.
Peppercorn
No wonder Peppercorn by Sherwin-Williams made it to the bestseller list because the color is unheard of good! This overcast dark gray has tremendous depth and is perfect for an accent wall, closets, and some very small spaces.
Pros : Peppercorn is one of the most trusted dark grays. It always looks good on walls, cabinets and interior accents.
Cons : No problems with this color come to mind. He always looks great.
Iron Ore
The next sample is a beautiful very dark gray with a brown tint that has become a popular choice for interior doors, cabinets and facade elements. Truly an amazing color!
Pros : Iron Ore is a stunning deep and heavy color. It adds instant contrast to a space if used sparingly.
Cons : When using this color for finishing exterior elements, be careful to make sure that it blends harmoniously with the overall color of the facade, even if it is almost white. Indoors, this is less true, but the bright sunlight outside brings out the Iron Ore tones strongly.
Black Fox
Another fantastic dark color on the bestseller list that is very similar to the previous one is Black Fox. But while Iron Ore tends to be dark gray, Black Fox is more of a very dark brown.
Pros : Very rich dark, perfect accent color for walls, interiors and facades. Very versatile.
Cons : In windowless rooms with artificial light, Black Fox can have a rather warm undertone, but still be beautiful.
Tricorn Black
Of the black colors I most often prefer Tricorn black in my projects. First of all, because it really looks like black. And small brown-gray undertones save him from excessive roughness and harshness.
Pros : This is a very versatile and reliable color for both interiors and exteriors. If you are looking for the best black color, you can go for it, because it is really beautiful.
Cons : I've never had a problem with this color. He won't let you down. The taupe shade complements almost any color when used as an exterior finish or accent color.
Mindful
I have been using Mindful Gray for many years both on client projects and for myself. I think Mindful Gray is one of the prettiest and safest warm grays and is great especially for furniture.
Pros : Extremely versatile warm gray that looks best in cabinets and other furniture and fronts. It's a little heavy to get a warm gray on the walls, but it's fine if you're looking for a warmer, mid-tone gray.
Cons : In rooms with a lot of natural light, Mindful Gray can look cold, but still not lose its splendor.
