Interior Design
16 Rewarding Grey Colour Combos
Grey can be sophisticated and elegant but it can also be dreary and draining. Here’s how to get it right
Unless you’ve been living in a bubble for the past few years, you’d be well aware that grey is the current neutral of choice. Whether it’s true grey (that is, equal parts black and white), greige, or another variation, all the glorious shades of grey are making their mark on interiors … with varying levels of success. Neutral colour trends usually have a lifespan of around 10 years, so it’s likely that grey will be around for a little while yet. Here are 16 winning schemes that will inspire you to get grey right.
2. Grey and timber
Bring some added warmth to a potentially cool colour palette with natural timber. In this kitchen, the timber floors, island worktop and chairs provide visual balance and warm up the temperature of the room.
TIP: When using white on the walls, be sure to lean towards a warm white.
Bring some added warmth to a potentially cool colour palette with natural timber. In this kitchen, the timber floors, island worktop and chairs provide visual balance and warm up the temperature of the room.
TIP: When using white on the walls, be sure to lean towards a warm white.
3. Monochromatic greys
Using three shades of grey, this monochromatic palette emits a peaceful mood. Be sure to ground the room by using the darkest shade on the floor.
TIP: If the budget allows, accessorise with a standout piece such as this stunning blue Murano glass light fitting.
Using three shades of grey, this monochromatic palette emits a peaceful mood. Be sure to ground the room by using the darkest shade on the floor.
TIP: If the budget allows, accessorise with a standout piece such as this stunning blue Murano glass light fitting.
4. Grey and smokey blue
With Pantone announcing ‘Serenity’ as one of its two colours of the year for 2016, this palette is right on trend. Look to feature a wall in your favourite grey, then add smokey blue through soft furnishings and accessories, such as cushions, rugs and vases.
TIP: Hang a decent-sized artwork to break up a large block of dark grey wall.
How Colour Trends are Forecast Around the World
With Pantone announcing ‘Serenity’ as one of its two colours of the year for 2016, this palette is right on trend. Look to feature a wall in your favourite grey, then add smokey blue through soft furnishings and accessories, such as cushions, rugs and vases.
TIP: Hang a decent-sized artwork to break up a large block of dark grey wall.
How Colour Trends are Forecast Around the World
5. Grey and soft white
If you’re looking to soften your grey colour palette, add cream or winter white. A softer version of white will make your room feel more soothing and relaxing than pure white does.
TIP: Always check your colours under your proposed lighting, remembering that warm white light always has a gentler effect on colour than cool white.
If you’re looking to soften your grey colour palette, add cream or winter white. A softer version of white will make your room feel more soothing and relaxing than pure white does.
TIP: Always check your colours under your proposed lighting, remembering that warm white light always has a gentler effect on colour than cool white.
6. Dark grey and pure white
Pure white will always brighten up dark grey in any room, and make it feel fresh and crisp. Use it on walls, doors, trims and hanging wall features.
TIP: This scheme works beautifully with natural timber floors.
Pure white will always brighten up dark grey in any room, and make it feel fresh and crisp. Use it on walls, doors, trims and hanging wall features.
TIP: This scheme works beautifully with natural timber floors.
7. Light grey and dark finishes
If you’re looking for a touch of the exotic and glamorous, look no further than combining light grey walls with some darker shades on timber floors, doors and furniture.
TIP: If your ceiling is high enough, nothing exudes glamour more than the right chandelier.
Browse more traditional dining rooms
If you’re looking for a touch of the exotic and glamorous, look no further than combining light grey walls with some darker shades on timber floors, doors and furniture.
TIP: If your ceiling is high enough, nothing exudes glamour more than the right chandelier.
Browse more traditional dining rooms
8. Mid grey and lime green
Freshen up a grey palette with a high-chroma colour, such as a pop of lime green. This works for both exteriors and interiors.
TIP: To ensure you have the right shade of green, lean more towards mid-green than yellow as some yellow-greens have the potential to make people feel a little nauseated.
Freshen up a grey palette with a high-chroma colour, such as a pop of lime green. This works for both exteriors and interiors.
TIP: To ensure you have the right shade of green, lean more towards mid-green than yellow as some yellow-greens have the potential to make people feel a little nauseated.
9. Mid grey and pale pink
A touch of pale pink added to your grey colour scheme will create a soothing, nurturing environment.
TIP: Look for soft materials in your furnishings and accessories to add to the overall softness of the room.
A touch of pale pink added to your grey colour scheme will create a soothing, nurturing environment.
TIP: Look for soft materials in your furnishings and accessories to add to the overall softness of the room.
10. Grey trim
If you’re a little cautious about using too much grey, use it as an accent colour. The grey trim on this striking door coordinates perfectly with a basic cream and white colour palette.
TIP: When working with an exterior, make more of your chosen highlight colour with outdoor accessories such as a welcoming doormat and/or a potted plant.
If you’re a little cautious about using too much grey, use it as an accent colour. The grey trim on this striking door coordinates perfectly with a basic cream and white colour palette.
TIP: When working with an exterior, make more of your chosen highlight colour with outdoor accessories such as a welcoming doormat and/or a potted plant.
11. Grey with black and white
Adding black and white to any colour is a failsafe way to achieve a smart and contemporary look.
TIP: Introduce different patterns in your soft furnishings to provide some contrast and movement in your colour scheme.
Adding black and white to any colour is a failsafe way to achieve a smart and contemporary look.
TIP: Introduce different patterns in your soft furnishings to provide some contrast and movement in your colour scheme.
12. Grey, white and orange
For a little fun, add some vivid orange to a grey and white colour scheme. The colours and design used in this room create a joyful and fun atmosphere.
TIP: Keep the orange to a minimum as too much in one space may become overbearing.
For a little fun, add some vivid orange to a grey and white colour scheme. The colours and design used in this room create a joyful and fun atmosphere.
TIP: Keep the orange to a minimum as too much in one space may become overbearing.
13. Pair grey with passionate purple
Mark Antony was said to have been seduced by Cleopatra with the help of the colour purple, and it has since been known as a seductive and passionate colour. Add some purple to tones of grey and white to bring a little passion into your home.
TIP: Top off this colour palette with a gold-framed bedhead or painting to up the romance factor.
Mark Antony was said to have been seduced by Cleopatra with the help of the colour purple, and it has since been known as a seductive and passionate colour. Add some purple to tones of grey and white to bring a little passion into your home.
TIP: Top off this colour palette with a gold-framed bedhead or painting to up the romance factor.
14. Pewter grey
Look to shades of dark pewter grey to add some mystery and sophistication to your colour palette. Add movement and style with the help of wallpaper, and finish it off with silver or platinum accessories.
TIP: If you’re renting or are hesitant to use permanent wallpaper, experiment with removable wallpaper.
Look to shades of dark pewter grey to add some mystery and sophistication to your colour palette. Add movement and style with the help of wallpaper, and finish it off with silver or platinum accessories.
TIP: If you’re renting or are hesitant to use permanent wallpaper, experiment with removable wallpaper.
15. Grey, white and red
An oldie, but a goodie. Who can go past adding bright red to any grey and white colour scheme?
TIP: Orange or yellow would work just as well in this sort of space.
An oldie, but a goodie. Who can go past adding bright red to any grey and white colour scheme?
TIP: Orange or yellow would work just as well in this sort of space.
16. Grey and earth tones
A great way to take advantage of grey is to use it on the ceiling. Combined with the natural earthy colours used in this palette, this room feels open and airy, yet still quite warm.
TIP: Ensure the lighting in the room provides enough light for a dark ceiling; remembering that the darker the ceiling, the more light is absorbed.
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How have you used grey in your home? Post a photo or tell us about it in the Comments below.
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A great way to take advantage of grey is to use it on the ceiling. Combined with the natural earthy colours used in this palette, this room feels open and airy, yet still quite warm.
TIP: Ensure the lighting in the room provides enough light for a dark ceiling; remembering that the darker the ceiling, the more light is absorbed.
TELL US
How have you used grey in your home? Post a photo or tell us about it in the Comments below.
MORE
Browse more decorating stories
Bring some sunshine into your grey colour scheme with a splash of yellow, through soft furnishings such as cushions, rugs and other accessories. It’s a winning colour combination every time.
TIP: Remember to always check for harmonious undertones by putting your chosen shades side by side.