What colour goes with dark grey
24 Ways to Decorate With Charcoal Gray
By
Diana Hathaway Timmons
Diana Hathaway Timmons
Diana Hathaway Timmons has over 10 years as a color and interior design consultant. She writes about ideas and tips for beautifying your space and incorporating decor trends into your home. She wrote the book "How to Sell Your Home Without Losing Your Zen" and has been featured in the "Huffington Post," "Better Homes & Gardens," and additional publications.
Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process
and
Lacey Ramburger
Lacey Ramburger
Lacey Ramburger is a personality assessment expert based in Kansas City, Missouri, with more than five years of experience. Her areas of expertise include Zodiac, Myers-Briggs, and the Enneagram. She is the author of the book "Being Whole" and dozens of articles on personality assessments and relationships.
Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process
Updated on 11/28/22
The Spruce / Michelle Becker
Charcoal gray is a sophisticated alternative to black and a dramatic option when compared to lighter neutral hues. It is a great shade to get decorating with, as it is a perfect natural backdrop while still providing a pop of color.
Choosing a color palette to complement charcoal gray is simple: keep with other cool tones and go with blues, purples, whites, and some greens. Or, you could also contrast the cool gray hues with warm colors, such as pink, yellow, or orange. Whenever you decorate with charcoal gray, incorporate plenty of bright white into the decor, too, and the contrast highlights and brightens up space.
Below, we highlight a few ways to decorate with charcoal gray in your space.
Click Play to Learn How to Decorate With Charcoal Gray Like a Pro
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01 of 24
Opt for a Gray Sofa
Ashley Montgomery Design
Jump into charcoal gray with a sophisticated sofa.
The visual weight of charcoal is the perfect match for a tailored sofa. Mid-century modern-style sofas are especially well-suited for charcoal gray, with a nod back to the menswear of that era. Choose a textured upholstery fabric, like tweed. The variations of color and light give the illusion of many different shades of color, making a slight mismatch unnoticeable.
Once you've picked a couple of accent colors, contrast the gray sofa with throw pillows and a blanket in those colors. A fun contrasting color scheme is yellow throw pillows with a white blanket. Colorful throw pillows bring life to a room but are inexpensive enough that you can change them when you tire of the current color scheme.
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02 of 24
Incorporate Dramatic Wallpaper
Erin Williamson Design
Wallpaper has fallen in and out of favor as trends have changed, but one thing remains the same: It works only when used correctly. Rather than papering all your walls in charcoal gray, use it thoughtfully.
Choose a charcoal gray wallpaper with an interesting texture, such as a woven pattern, or a fun design, like a geometric print. Use it sparingly, such as on just one dramatic accent wall or below a chair rail. If you're unsure about the somewhat-permanent investment that charcoal wallpaper requires or if you're in a rental property, use peel-and-stick wallpaper that comes off easily.
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03 of 24
Try Moody Gray Tile
Brophy Interiors
Wallpaper and paint aren't your only options for dark gray walls. Charcoal tiles are a fresh way to add the color to your walls while still retaining a sleek finish. The tiles break up the dark hue so that it doesn't appear too heavy or monotonous.
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04 of 24
Add Sleek Curtains
Gray Space Interior Design
Blinds and shutters serve their purposes, but a room does not look complete without window dressings. Skip padded valances and ruffled swags in favor of flowing draperies in a sumptuous charcoal gray color with an interesting texture.
Window dressings can easily become the focal point of a room, particularly if they're in a bold color such as charcoal gray. When making this decor choice, furnish the room in colors other than charcoal gray, such as selecting a white couch, and use gray in the accent touches, such as throw pillows or artwork to pull it all together.
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05 of 24
Opt for Bold Paint
D Burns Interiors
Using charcoal gray paint can be a bold choice with a big payoff. Like charcoal gray wallpaper, this dark-hued paint should be used sparingly. Try it as an accent wall, use it on a bookcase or cabinet, or paint a dramatic powder room.
Dark colors like charcoal gray can be surprisingly versatile if you effectively manage your lighting in the room. Other than a small powder room, charcoal gray paint should only be used in a large room with many windows. Small or dark rooms will only look smaller and darker if coated entirely with charcoal gray paint.
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06 of 24
Use For Elegant Bedding
Corner House Creatives
Bedding can be a difficult choice as it's easy to tire of prints and fussy patterns. Charcoal bedding can feel slightly masculine at first glance, but the secret is in the fabric you choose. A luxurious satin or velvet fabric can soften the serious nature of charcoal bedding.
Layer crisp white sheets underneath the dark charcoal pillowcases and comforter. For a feminine look, replace the white sheets with pale pink or lavender sheets.
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07 of 24
Pair With Vibrant Artwork
Alvin Wayne
Dark gray can create a moody atmosphere and requires some pop to keep things from feeling too dreary. Hanging a piece of vibrant, colorful artwork can help bring that much-needed boost. The contrast between the charcoal gray and the brighter tones are a match made in heaven.
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08 of 24
Add Some Depth to Your Kitchen
Ashley Montgomery Design
White kitchens are often a favorite, but adding a dose of gray into the mix creates some stunning results.
Whether painting an island, cabinetry, or both, the dark hue creates plenty of contrast against white tile backsplashes and countertops, adding depth and dimension to your space. -
09 of 24
Try Rustic Vibes
Arbor & Co.
Rustic themes in home decor pair perfectly with charcoal gray. Wooden accents, leather furniture, and a neutral color palette allow any form of dark gray to easily fit right in, especially for linens and statement pieces.
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10 of 24
Opt for Modern Seating
Ashley Montgomery Design
Another theme that pairs well with gray is notably the modern style. Charcoal can easily be incorporated into the scheme, whether midcentury-inspired or more on the contemporary side. For example, in a dining room, modern charcoal seating suits the rest of the decor nicely and adds sophistication to the setup.
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11 of 24
Pair With Light Wood
Brophy Interiors
As another way to bring in contrast, pairing with light wood tones can be a real game-changer for this color.
The key is surrounding charcoal with white or soft tones so it can really pop in the space. Light wood floors allow gray chairs or other furniture to shine rather than fall to the wayside. -
12 of 24
Don't Knock an Eclectic Theme
Erin Williamson Design
While dark grays are primarily associated with modern, minimalist styles, no rule says you can't step out of your comfort zone a bit. Using charcoal as a base color can work well in an eclectic, decadent-themed room. Bold patterns and muted hues can make a significant impact when contrasted against a solid gray wall.
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13 of 24
Keep Things Sleek
Brophy Interiors
Speaking of bathrooms, one way to create a sleek presence is by adding gray as a backdrop to your vanity or sink. Wallpaper, paint, or tile can all work here, but the important thing to remember is what else you're using to decorate the space. Solid dark grays pair well with marble, metallic fixtures, and other neutral hues if the goal is to create something cohesive and cultivated.
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14 of 24
Use As an Accent Wall
D Burns Interiors
Using charcoal gray on walls can be tricky, especially in smaller spaces. Using it on an accent wall—especially when surrounded by lighter colors—can create a striking focal point without making the entire room too dark.
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15 of 24
Pair Solids With Patterns
Erin Williamson Design
If the choice comes down to solids or patterns, why not opt for both? Neutral colors have the benefit of allowing for diverse pairings and accents, and charcoal gray is no exception. Going solid on one wall while covering the other with fun prints can make a smaller space feel a bit larger—and using gray over black keeps things from feeling suffocating.
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16 of 24
The Perfect Backsplash
Erin Williamson Design
Adding gray in small amounts can still make a big impact. When working with the kitchen, opt for a gray backsplash rather than covering an entire wall.
Playful patterns can help liven up the addition, but either way, the hue is sure to capture anyone's attention. -
17 of 24
Team Up Gray With Stone
Erin Williamson Design
Just like with wood, pairing with light stone elements can also allow gray to shine in a space. Whether it's a gray wall surrounding a stone mantel or a mostly gray bedroom incorporating a stone accent wall, the pairing gives a natural, finished look.
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18 of 24
Go For Marble
Gray Space Interior Design
When going for an elegant touch, there is no contest that marble usually comes to mind. Most marble pieces are a mixture of white with gray veins, and the addition of marble to any room instantly creates a chic environment. From bathrooms to kitchens, the possibilities are endless.
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19 of 24
Try a Statement Piece
JK Interior Living
If the idea of too much gray overwhelms you, then don't worry—there are plenty of ways to add charcoal gray to the mix without going overboard.
Picking out a singular statement piece, such as an armchair, can be the perfect way to decorate with gray without it becoming the only focus in the room. -
20 of 24
Go Gray In The Shower
Brophy Interiors
Turning your shower into an elegant spa-like atmosphere can be as simple as changing the color of your shower. Stone-like finishes or tones can make a shower feel dramatic yet sophisticated. Adding gold hardware into the mix brings the whole look together.
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21 of 24
Pair Charcoal Gray With Warm Wood
House 9 Interiors
Rather than gray and white, try pairing gray with warm wood tones. This gives the room closer to a farmhouse or cabin-esque feel, but the results are stunning. Opting for warm wood on the walls and furniture while adding charcoal in smaller doses like the bedding or curtains creates an ideal balance.
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22 of 24
Try Bright Whites and Dark Grays
Amy Leferink at Interior Impressions
Charcoal gray paired with bright, cool whites adds serious depth and contrast to your space.
Rather than choosing a black and white motif, charcoal and white are a lighter take on a classic color scheme that works well in just about any room you want to use them in. -
23 of 24
Don't Hesitate to Use Patterns
House 9 Interiors
Proving that gray doesn't always have to be reserved, there are plenty of patterns that give gray a lively approach. From florals to stripes to zigzag—patterns can take a solid gray surface and give it new life.
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24 of 24
Add Some Drama to Your Office
LeClair Decor
Give your office a polished look by using charcoal gray as the focal hue of the room. Using the color on the walls, paired with plenty of light accents, can help create a formal and focused atmosphere that encourages you to get your work done.
10 Creative Gray Color Combinations and Photos
What words come to mind when you think of your design style? If sophisticated and timeless describe your home, gray is your color! Similar to white, gray is a neutral color that offers balance.
Gray color schemes also create calming environments to relax in after a long day.
Because a variety of colors pair well with this hue, it’s ideal for walls, accessories and furniture. Light shades of silver and cadet gray evoke a feminine vibe, while darker shades like charcoal and gunmetal exude a more masculine feel.
To find inspiration for your decor, select a gray color scheme to see examples of how you can use these colors in your home. Once you have a color palette in mind, browse our home decor for personalized items like candles, fleece blankets, accent pillows and more.
Angora Grey + Beige
Gray + Beige
Your bedroom is your sweet escape. So why not make it a place where you can relax for hours on end? Fluffy whites combined with lighter shades of gray create a calming atmosphere you’ll never want to leave. You can even bring in earth tones like forest green and beige.
Source: NxN PhotographyBack To Top
Stone + Navy
Stone + Navy
Blue is an electric color that brings a room to life.
By pairing it with a darker gray, you get a balanced room that isn’t overpowered by blue. You can bring the masculinity of gray and blue down a notch by adding tan and green into the color scheme, making this a vibrant palette for your living room.
Source: Amanda KatherineBack To Top
Dark Gray + Electric Blue
Gray + Light Blue
If you feel like adding a bright pop of color to your bedroom, go for it! Keeping your walls white and accessorizing with gray is a refreshing way to pull off adding a bold color like sky blue into a room.
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Gray + Gold
Gray + Gold
Create a modern and contemporary feel with a dark gray color scheme. Similar to black, gray is moody and blends well with all colors. To make a statement, throw in an attention-grabbing accent color no one expects, like gold.
Source: Style BeeBack To Top
Charcoal + Dark Green
Gray + Dark Green
Gray doesn't always have to set the tone for your decor.
Instead, you can use a shade like silver as an accent color and add fresh plants to invigorate the space. It creates an open and clean environment perfect for bringing in energetic colors like aqua, cobalt blue and lavender.
Source: Love and Olive OilBack To Top
Gray + Lime
Gray + Light Green
Simplicity is key when you are going for timeless decor that will stand the test of time. While this may be true, you don’t have to rely on muted colors. Pairing feminine grays with bright pops of color, like neon green, create a sophisticated yet funky vibe.
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Gray + Orange Soda
Gray + Orange
A staple of industrial decor is dark palettes evocative of city life. While shades like charcoal provide a practical element, it’s always fun to mix in more adventurous colors. Peach and orange are two eye-catching tones that bring a creative flair to an otherwise calming palette.
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Dusk + Blush
Gray + Light Pink
Who can resist a little romance? Whether you’re decorating the area surrounding your vanity table or your bathroom, blush and cadet gray are an enchanting color combination.
The blue undertones in this gray allow you to pull in green for a refreshing and natural vibe.
Source: Laura Clark PhotographyBack To Top
Gray + Cherry Red
Gray + Red
Sometimes, the best color schemes combine more than one shade of gray. The cool tones create a polished look while a fiery color like red brings passion and energy. Complete the look by splashing an earth tone on the walls to bring everything together.
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Light Gray + Yellow
Gray + Yellow
For a living room full of enthusiasm and good cheer, you need a palette that reminds you of sunshine filled days. Choosing a calming shade of gray that blends with a springy yellow and earth tones will transport you to the great outdoors.
Source: Natalie SeitzBack To Top
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Dark gray color: combination in clothes, interior
Charcoal gray is an intermediate shade between medium gray and black, so you can see echoes of the latter in its value.
Dark gray - the color of a stone, a deep shadow, an impending storm. It can be called a gloomy, transitional shade between the other world and this world. And if most shades of gray are characterized by calmness, regularity, then in the case of a dark undertone, we see a manifestation of black instability. Dark gray, like a silent scream or a lingering rain that has captured melancholy and apathy. This shade is more of a protest against the shackles, but at the same time it is full of elemental energy and bohemian charm. nine0003 Dark gray symbolizes search, creativity, temperament, self-confidence, desire for nature and its conquest.
Contents
- 1 Shades of dark gray
- 2 Complex combination with dark gray
- 3 Combination of dark gray in palettes
- 4 Dark gray combined with other colors
- 5 Dark gray in clothes 6 The combination of dark gray in clothes
- 7 Dark gray in the interior
Dark gray, given that a very limited light range is available to it, has many shades due to various subtones. They can be divided into warm and cold: warm shades include shades with an admixture of yellow, red (green, brown), and cold ones with blue and black.
Pantone colors are shown below.
Sophisticated combination with dark gray
One of the variants of the complex combination of dark gray
- with bluish (2) - soft natural gamma. Due to the lightness of both tones, it seems that the colors pass into each other, thereby enhancing the organicity of the combination.
- with gray wood (3), which deepens the gray palette, adds a light cold-warm and light contrast to it. The grey-wood tone gives the composition stability and a positive direction.
Complete the combination with milk chocolate, cream, marengo.
Combination of dark gray in 9 palettes0025
Rocky beach in the morning
The soft hues of dawn and blue water are contrasted with the grey-black mass of rocks, which evokes a sensation of bright contrast of pastels, pure tones and monochrome. This combination is emotionally rich and aesthetic. The palette includes such shades as white-gray, white-peach, water color, old wood, dark gray, black.
Lantern for late autumn
This range is composed in warm, gray tones, in which you can see how multifaceted this shade is with rich undertones. The composition is built on light contrast, on the one hand dull, but on the other hand beautiful and refined in its silence.
It presents colors such as white-gray, light gray khaki, old wood, light gray-green, dark gray, black. nine0005
Chipped Continent
Once again, dark gray returns to the theme of stone, in this case a rock – high, powerful, causing feelings of rebelliousness and spontaneity, next to it, yellow and green shades seem naive, further emphasizing the grandiosity of dark gray. From this picture, you can borrow a color scheme from white with a pink sheen, slate, dark yellow, protective, sepia, dark gray.
Ancestral home
Vintage decor with brown, black, gray tones emphasizes the bohemian nature of the described tone. He proudly talks about the wealth of the owner, his amazing taste and desire for a natural range. Consider a combination with medium gray, gray beige, sea black, chocolate glaze, dark gray, black.
Dark gray can be combined with other colors
The combination of pink and dark gray can be both bright and piercing, depending on the shade of the former.
Gentle, soft tones, both pure and cloudy, will soften the combination, while bright shades of fuchsia, on the contrary, will add audacity, but do not forget about grace. Combine the main tone with white-pink, sakura, rose ash, magenta, raspberry. nine0005
The color combination: dark gray and red retains the priority of a bright spot, but at the same time acquires a classic rigor. In such a combination, red can be both bright and restrained, up to burgundy. In its application, one should not forget about the simultaneous contrast. For example, consider pairings with pomegranate, Chinese red, dark red, ruby, cherry.
Dark gray matches orange like red: orange, as a warm, bright hue, is contrasted with monochrome, standing out significantly against its background, however, its intensity is muted and ennobled. An interesting tandem will be with light peach, coral, carrot, fiery, red-orange. nine0005
Dark gray meets yellow – as a softer version of the black and yellow contrast, at the same time expressive, although closer to everyday colors.
Muted, golden shades of yellow form a soft, natural pair. For example, take a look at the combination with sand, corn, mustard, yellow gold, bright gold.
Warm green and charcoal gray combine as a calm and stylish pair. Warm gray-green hues intertwine with the main tone creating a soft color, light and cold-warm contrast. This is a natural palette, full of harmony - pacifies. The combination involves the color of avocado, a frog in a swoon, swamp green, khaki, dark green. nine0005
Cool green is combined with dark gray to form a stable cold range. For a harmonious color, both gray-green cold shades and bright, expressive tones are suitable. They form a stable, cold, attractive tandem. Example: with light gray-green, wormwood, jade, patina, emerald.
Color combination: dark gray and blue, light blue. Depending on the lightness of the blue color, the nature of the combination changes: light blue tones draw an effective contrast, when darker shades flow into the main tone, deepening it and themselves.
The palette is made up of white and blue, the color of water, aqua, Prussian blue, sapphire. nine0005
Violet pairs with Charcoal Gray as a delicate, lilac tone or a bright purple hue, giving the pair a feminine charm, introducing an element of mystery and exoticism. This is one of the most successful combinations with the described tone. Rate pairs with pale lilac, lilac, purple, grape, purple.
The combination of dark gray and brown is gloomy on the one hand, but natural, sophisticated and deep on the other. Colors flow into each other, enhancing the feeling of volume, light and shadow, and light browns give a glare effect. Tones of cocoa with milk, coffee with milk, golden brown, golden chestnut, chocolate participate in the tandem. nine0005
Neutral combinations with dark grey. Monochromatic hues create a light-shadow palette that can stand on its own or be used as a backdrop for other contrasts. Tones such as: milky, latte, beige, steel, dark black are relatives of dark gray and look good in his company.
Dark gray in clothes
Dark gray color refers to the basic shades: a thing bought in this tone, depending on the pair, can go into different styles. The tone increases the contrast of appearance, slims, gives an expensive charm. It can be strict, gothic, informal, sporty, elegant, urban, etc. This shade is a great match for bright colors: it does not enhance them, but they remain in the spotlight. nine0003 Let's look at how dark gray transforms in a wardrobe depending on the color combination.
The combination of dark gray in clothes
Black gives this tone a slight sheen.
To achieve moderate black and white contrast, dark gray is ideal.
Combining different shades of gray, we get a stylish solution. You can always add black or white to it.
Warm, beige for an elegant, feminine touch.
nine0005
Bright brown tones are soft and natural.
Yellow can be bright or golden mustard, in any case with dark gray it takes on an autumnal look.
Orange, in addition to the main color, will require black as a balance enhancer.
Bright red and dark gray can be strict and eccentric, although the main color muffles the red fire, this is not enough to extinguish it.
nine0002Wine tones - for a noble combination.
Hot pink, fuchsia colors give the combination a feminine edge.
Pale pink enhance light contrast, inhale lightness and innocence into the set.
The purple pair looks like a logical continuation of the main color.
Blue, like a sky or water reflection at dusk, tandem requires black.
nine0002 Sky blue brings lightness, softness.
Cool green transforms dark gray advantageously, especially if gold elements are added to them.
Warm, medium-dark tones of green organically fit into gray scales, black can also be added to them.
Dark gray interior
Dark gray color in the interior as a creative force of individual design.
First of all - this is the lack of a certain style - most often decorated with dark gray rooms are eclectic. The dark background of the walls is emphasized by the saturation of colors, the outlines of forms, thereby emphasizing the expressiveness of accents. White and black colors are constant companions of this direction. Moderate natural light illuminating a room is absorbed by dark surfaces but reflected by light surfaces, so all light elements will "glow" in such an environment. The uniform distribution of such objects will give the necessary balance and distribution of light. nine0003 Evening and night lighting is desirable with a warm spectrum, since fire and stone are components that have long been familiar, filled with emotions. For the same reason, wood, iron and all natural fabrics will look good. Decorate such rooms with green or living plants - this gives confidence and tranquility.
SEE COMBINATIONS WITH SIMILAR SHADES (click on color)
Combination of gray with other colors in the interior Home and Office
The combination of gray with other colors in the interiorEarlier we wrote about the most common myths associated with gray in the interior, today we want to talk about how best and what to combine it with. Gray is the leader in coloring in terms of the number of various shades and the beauty of their names: pearl, ash pink, smoky blue ... Surprisingly, the tone can change before our eyes if you change the objects located next to the interior items. Dom i Office.ru found out everything about the combination of gray with other colors in the interior. nine0005
Natalya Simagina,
interior designer
“Gray in an interior is like a wardrobe staple: it goes with everyone.
It can be the only one - independent and self-sufficient, you just need to add shades to it. And it can be used in an ensemble, and the effect of the resulting space will depend on the colors that complement it.
General tips
- Gray color goes well with almost with all colors and their shades. However, the most difficult thing is to choose the “correct” green and white colors. Especially when it comes to a light gray background: there is a great danger of getting blurry contours. nine0010
- Shades should be selected depending on the saturation of the gray color: the richer it is, the brighter the companion is required, and vice versa. Exception is brown .
- The "temperature regime" of the paints plays an important role. Warm grays, in which you can feel the presence of yellow, red, brown and other colors associated with summer, are ideally suited to similar "summer" colors. To the cold, reminiscent of winter ice or metal, the closest colors, which include blue: purple, blue, lilac.
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- The number of bright spots on a gray background must be strictly limited and vice versa , otherwise the overall picture will turn into a sample of bad taste.
- Lighting is of great importance. Given that gray is the color of the shadow, there should be a lot of light sources, and it is better to place them at different levels.
Ideal companions
As you can see, combining gray with other colors in the interior is not an easy task. But quite solvable, given that the designers know them all "in the face" .
WHITE. Milky, creamy, cream and other warm shades of white will be appropriate on a gray background if the room is small and its windows face the north side of the house.
BLACK. This is one of the most natural combinations of gray, giving the interior a graphic look. Even more interesting is the use in the same interior in addition to different shades of gray. Thanks to the halftones, the situation becomes multidimensional, and in it, despite the external rigor and conciseness, some kind of understatement appears. nine0005
RED. Red-orange, Indian red, ruby, terracotta, burgundy, scarlet - these strong active shades are in perfect harmony with the same rich gray. Beige and white can be used as a smooth transition.
ORANGE. Tangerine, pumpkin, carrot, brick - these and other shades in combination with gray give a very unusual effect. You can soften such a strong effect with interspersed with more familiar and soft colors - beige and brown.
YELLOW. Golden, mustard, lemon, ocher, amber - all these shades are very appropriate next to gray. But only in limited quantities: as if a sunbeam fell on a shaded surface, bringing energy and inner glow.
GREEN. Olive, mint, emerald, turquoise, herbal - all shades of green can accompany gray. But on condition that they perfectly correspond to each other in terms of saturation level. It is quite easy to make a mistake, despite the huge number of analogues in nature. nine0005
BLUE. Royal blue, sapphire, cobalt, violet, Prussian blue and sea green - juicy dense shades are excellent partners for dark gray, giving the interior sophistication and style.
