Decorating: Inspiring Ways to Add Colour to a Grey Scheme
There’s no denying the appeal of an all-grey scheme, but an accent colour can give it that extra bit of magic
Michele Longoni
13 October 2015
Interior designer and founder of Michele Longoni Interiors, a young, London based creative studio focused on residential interiors. We offer clients a creative and practical but ultimately very personal, design service.
Interior designer and founder of Michele Longoni Interiors, a young, London based... More
If you think grey might be just a bit too cool for a family home, think again. Mix it with a splash of colour and plenty of natural light, and grey can transform any room into a chic yet practical space. Many of you will remember the magnolia era, and may well have embraced the switch to grey. If not, it might be time to finally find your shade and transform your interior into something spectacular.
The magic of grey is that it provides the perfect backdrop for an accent colour or two, and can both frame bright colours and enhance subtle hues. Check out these ways to bring colour into a grey scheme.
The magic of grey is that it provides the perfect backdrop for an accent colour or two, and can both frame bright colours and enhance subtle hues. Check out these ways to bring colour into a grey scheme.
Add colour through soft furnishings
Grey can be a wonderful choice for anyone who has constantly changing tastes. Teenagers in particular are known for wanting to paint their bedrooms in all sorts of interesting colour combinations. Using grey as the base colour for brighter accents, in the form of artwork and soft furnishings, gives you – and your kids – the freedom to express your personalities without doing any permanent damage.
Check out 10 ways to personalise a rented home
Grey can be a wonderful choice for anyone who has constantly changing tastes. Teenagers in particular are known for wanting to paint their bedrooms in all sorts of interesting colour combinations. Using grey as the base colour for brighter accents, in the form of artwork and soft furnishings, gives you – and your kids – the freedom to express your personalities without doing any permanent damage.
Check out 10 ways to personalise a rented home
Opt for metallics
Colour doesn’t have to be matt. In this pale grey kitchen, a polished copper panel and pendant lights add an interesting dimension to the room. Grey softens the look, allowing the metals to take centre stage.
Colour doesn’t have to be matt. In this pale grey kitchen, a polished copper panel and pendant lights add an interesting dimension to the room. Grey softens the look, allowing the metals to take centre stage.
Transform a traditional feature
Saturated colours really stand out against grey. In this example, a usually mundane and traditional object – a radiator – has been turned into a feature using fuchsia paint against a grey background. The grey allows the pink to stand out, and is a great way to transform a traditional element into something bold and contemporary.
Saturated colours really stand out against grey. In this example, a usually mundane and traditional object – a radiator – has been turned into a feature using fuchsia paint against a grey background. The grey allows the pink to stand out, and is a great way to transform a traditional element into something bold and contemporary.
Inject personality into a cabinet
For a colour as fiery as red, moderation is key. It’s so bright that contrasting it with white or black in such a small space might be too harsh. Soft grey, on the other hand, works beautifully with the red to give this fitted wardrobe a fresh, modern twist.
I love to use this trick with a drinks cabinet for a bright surprise when you open the doors.
For a colour as fiery as red, moderation is key. It’s so bright that contrasting it with white or black in such a small space might be too harsh. Soft grey, on the other hand, works beautifully with the red to give this fitted wardrobe a fresh, modern twist.
I love to use this trick with a drinks cabinet for a bright surprise when you open the doors.
Go for a large expanse
A grey and white scheme with one striking bright looks modern and stylish. Using your chosen colour over a large area, such as on a rug or floor-length curtains, makes a strong statement. Pepper the room with small accessories in the same shade to tie the look together.
A grey and white scheme with one striking bright looks modern and stylish. Using your chosen colour over a large area, such as on a rug or floor-length curtains, makes a strong statement. Pepper the room with small accessories in the same shade to tie the look together.
Soften a splashback
The kitchen splashback is a classic place to use colour – it’s a relatively small space, and there’s a wide variety of materials and shades available. But a bright splashback does require some softening, and grey cabinets above and below the turquoise splashback in this room ensure it’s bright without being overwhelming.
Browse clever style steals to add personality to your kitchen
The kitchen splashback is a classic place to use colour – it’s a relatively small space, and there’s a wide variety of materials and shades available. But a bright splashback does require some softening, and grey cabinets above and below the turquoise splashback in this room ensure it’s bright without being overwhelming.
Browse clever style steals to add personality to your kitchen
Warm up a cold bathroom
An all-grey bathroom can be a bit too bland and functional. Invigorate the space by introducing some bold colour. This room shows how you can tweak a potentially stark grey slate bathroom in a fun and surprising way by adding a single brightly coloured wall panel.
An all-grey bathroom can be a bit too bland and functional. Invigorate the space by introducing some bold colour. This room shows how you can tweak a potentially stark grey slate bathroom in a fun and surprising way by adding a single brightly coloured wall panel.
Showcase jewel brights
Using jewel-coloured furniture against dark grey walls can create a dramatic and sophisticated effect. Go for rich colours and fabrics, like these turquoise and emerald velvets, for the ultimate in contemporary elegance.
Using jewel-coloured furniture against dark grey walls can create a dramatic and sophisticated effect. Go for rich colours and fabrics, like these turquoise and emerald velvets, for the ultimate in contemporary elegance.
Perk up a patio
Grey works wonderfully inside, so why not give it a go outside, too? For the winter months, though, it’s crucial to mix in some colour to keep your garden space bright and uplifting. Dividing walls, built-in seating and planters can all be painted grey. Then drop in brightly coloured seat covers, contrasting cushions and zingy furniture to complete the look.
Grey works wonderfully inside, so why not give it a go outside, too? For the winter months, though, it’s crucial to mix in some colour to keep your garden space bright and uplifting. Dividing walls, built-in seating and planters can all be painted grey. Then drop in brightly coloured seat covers, contrasting cushions and zingy furniture to complete the look.
Get eclectic
While grey can provide the perfect backdrop to highlight one accent colour, there’s no reason why you have to stop there. If you fancy more of a mixture, go right ahead. As you can see with this artistic living room, variety really can be the spice of life.
While grey can provide the perfect backdrop to highlight one accent colour, there’s no reason why you have to stop there. If you fancy more of a mixture, go right ahead. As you can see with this artistic living room, variety really can be the spice of life.
TELL US…
Do you like grey? Which colours have you combined it with? We’d love to hear your thoughts and see your photos in the Comments below.
Do you like grey? Which colours have you combined it with? We’d love to hear your thoughts and see your photos in the Comments below.
Related Stories
More Rooms
The 5 Most Popular Laundry Rooms on Houzz Right Now
Get decorating ideas for your laundry or utility room from these most-saved photos on Houzz
Full Story
Dining Rooms
The 5 Most Popular Dining Rooms on Houzz Right Now
By Kate Burt
Vintage furniture, great lighting and top tables – feast your eyes on dining room ideas collated from your own clicks
Full Story
Colour
8 Clever Ways to Use Strategic Colour Blocking in Your Home
By Kate Burt
Paint can do so much more than refresh your walls. Explore ways to highlight features, zone areas and trick the eye
Full Story
Utility Rooms
15 Richly Coloured Utility Rooms
The trend for strong, earthy tones has reached the utility room, with hues from plum to ochre to deep green adding depth
Full Story
Kitchens
Which Kitchen Worktop Colour Should You Choose?
By tidgboutique
Consider these popular colours and styles to get the look you want, no matter which material you use
Full Story
Colour
8 Ways to Work a Rust Red and Blue Palette in the Bedroom
By Kate Burt
We’re seeing variations of this combination all over Houzz right now. Check out these tips for trying it yourself
Full Story
Colour
Creative Ways to Make a Feature of Structural Beams
Turn your RSJ into something more than just functional with these clever ideas from our Houzz Tours
Full Story
Gardens
9 Ways to Enjoy Colour in Your Garden All Year Round
By Kate Burt
However your garden grows, you can add colour with hardscaping, furniture and accessories
Full Story
Gardens
What Will We Want in Our Gardens in 2024?
Discover the gardening trends homeowners will be bringing into their outdoor spaces this spring and summer
Full Story
Kitchens
What to Expect at the Biggest Kitchen, Bedroom and Bathroom Show
Plan ahead with our rundown of what’s in store at the kbb Birmingham event this March
Full Story
I agree the reason grey has become fashionable is because it so versatile. I have a business upcycling furniture and selling home accessories and I can transform an outdated piece of furniture instantly by using a grey/greige shade. It makes putting together shop displays so much easier too as it compliments everything. I find most of my customers really aren't adventurous with colour and prefer neutral schemes and will add accents with textiles etc. As for beige and cream they are dirty words these days and have been consigned to outmoded purdah :D
It is the context within which a colour, material or object is used that defines the success or failure of the colour, material or object. Consideration of context is everything. Grey can be brilliant or appalling. It is the same with everything.
I find black depressing yet everyone is wearing it. some look just awful. I dont like grey skies but inside the house can be made to look good with colours