Decorating
11 Clever Ways to Add Personality to Your Grey Interior
Brighten up grey décor with interesting pieces, bursts of bright colour and a touch of the unexpected
The trend for grey walls isn’t going anywhere fast, and why should it? It’s a great colour base for most furniture types and styles, and shows off art really well. However, it can lack personality, especially if everything is neutral, so here are some ideas to bring a little life to your grey interior.
Introduce the unexpected
Find a quirky piece you love and don’t be afraid to think outside the box. This (almost) full-size giraffe looks great in an otherwise neutral living room. The art and the way it’s displayed looks pretty fantastic, too.
Discover the secrets of eccentric design
Find a quirky piece you love and don’t be afraid to think outside the box. This (almost) full-size giraffe looks great in an otherwise neutral living room. The art and the way it’s displayed looks pretty fantastic, too.
Discover the secrets of eccentric design
Mix it up with two tone
The shelving unit here has been given depth with dark grey paint in the recesses. It’s a clever way of adding interest to simple shelves, instantly giving more personality to the room. Painting the sides of the recesses like this is a subtle twist on the usual technique of painting the backs of shelves.
The shelving unit here has been given depth with dark grey paint in the recesses. It’s a clever way of adding interest to simple shelves, instantly giving more personality to the room. Painting the sides of the recesses like this is a subtle twist on the usual technique of painting the backs of shelves.
Remember opposites attract
This contemporary copper pendant is a complete contrast to the soft grey walls, and it works so well. The use of soft furnishings, by way of the rug, cushions and a side chair, in similar warm tones, brings the whole look together. It would work equally well to keep the accessories neutral and add one standout piece of art.
This contemporary copper pendant is a complete contrast to the soft grey walls, and it works so well. The use of soft furnishings, by way of the rug, cushions and a side chair, in similar warm tones, brings the whole look together. It would work equally well to keep the accessories neutral and add one standout piece of art.
Introduce a soft touch
Downy fabrics look great against flat grey walls and bring out the duskiness of the colour. Choose jewel-hued velvets to add a bold contrast. They could come in the form of seating, curtains, throws or cushions. If you have all your furniture already, why not invest in a new velvet footstool?
Downy fabrics look great against flat grey walls and bring out the duskiness of the colour. Choose jewel-hued velvets to add a bold contrast. They could come in the form of seating, curtains, throws or cushions. If you have all your furniture already, why not invest in a new velvet footstool?
Be bold with pattern
This room’s neutral, soft grey palette has been lifted with bold ikat blinds and a zingy rug and lamp. Don’t be afraid to mix patterns and colours. A good guide is to stick to three colours and mix and match how you want (here it’s orange, blue and yellow).
Always think about the adjoining room when designing, too. Here, the homeowners have picked out one of the colours (orange) for the blinds in the next room, creating uniformity when the door is left open.
More ways to be brave with colour
This room’s neutral, soft grey palette has been lifted with bold ikat blinds and a zingy rug and lamp. Don’t be afraid to mix patterns and colours. A good guide is to stick to three colours and mix and match how you want (here it’s orange, blue and yellow).
Always think about the adjoining room when designing, too. Here, the homeowners have picked out one of the colours (orange) for the blinds in the next room, creating uniformity when the door is left open.
More ways to be brave with colour
Show it off
Adding LED strip lights to shelving is an inexpensive and effective way to lift a plain grey wall. It’s also a good way to highlight your most treasured possessions, and adds a different level of lighting to a room – an interior designer’s trick.
The shelves here are adorned with exotic metallic souvenirs, which contrast well with the grey. The lights add a dramatic, gallery-like feel.
Adding LED strip lights to shelving is an inexpensive and effective way to lift a plain grey wall. It’s also a good way to highlight your most treasured possessions, and adds a different level of lighting to a room – an interior designer’s trick.
The shelves here are adorned with exotic metallic souvenirs, which contrast well with the grey. The lights add a dramatic, gallery-like feel.
Choose freestanding furniture
If you have grey walls and flooring, but are desperate for a bit of colour, using one eye-catching piece of freestanding furniture is a great way to do it. It’s especially useful if you’re renting and can’t change the colour of your walls.
Can’t afford new furniture? Why not paint an existing piece or a flea market find?
If you have grey walls and flooring, but are desperate for a bit of colour, using one eye-catching piece of freestanding furniture is a great way to do it. It’s especially useful if you’re renting and can’t change the colour of your walls.
Can’t afford new furniture? Why not paint an existing piece or a flea market find?
Colour code your books
Collating books on a shelf according to their spine colour instantly turns a messy bookshelf into a work of art. The bright blocks of colour really stand out against the dark grey here.
You could do the same with artefacts or ornaments; collections of green, red and yellow vases would look equally fab, for example.
Collating books on a shelf according to their spine colour instantly turns a messy bookshelf into a work of art. The bright blocks of colour really stand out against the dark grey here.
You could do the same with artefacts or ornaments; collections of green, red and yellow vases would look equally fab, for example.
Add a shot of boldness
The bright red fridge instantly brightens up this grey kitchen. Sometimes just one item is all you need to lift a space.
If you don’t want to splash out on something as big as a fridge, you could get the same effect with small appliances. There are lots of options on the market, such as retro food mixers and colourful coffee machines.
The bright red fridge instantly brightens up this grey kitchen. Sometimes just one item is all you need to lift a space.
If you don’t want to splash out on something as big as a fridge, you could get the same effect with small appliances. There are lots of options on the market, such as retro food mixers and colourful coffee machines.
Celebrate your souvenirs
Whether you’re a frequent traveller or a keen online shopper, a plain grey wall is a great place to display your collections. Here, the homeowners have decided on masks, which stand out beautifully against the grey background.
You could choose plates, fans, or anything you love that can be attached to a wall.
TELL US…
How have you jazzed up your grey interior? Share your ideas and photos in the Comments below.
Whether you’re a frequent traveller or a keen online shopper, a plain grey wall is a great place to display your collections. Here, the homeowners have decided on masks, which stand out beautifully against the grey background.
You could choose plates, fans, or anything you love that can be attached to a wall.
TELL US…
How have you jazzed up your grey interior? Share your ideas and photos in the Comments below.
A neon sign is a great way to add an edge to your room and will really stand out against a dark wall. This rather smart living room has been given a less formal feel with some quirky additions, including the lit-up typography above the sofa.
If the word you’re looking for isn’t available, you can buy individual letters to make up your own. Alternatively, order a bespoke one in a handwriting style. Why not have it made in a bright colour for extra punch?