9 Serenely Beautiful Grey Bedroom Schemes
From almost off-white to dark inky shades, grey can be used to create a variety of very different moods in the bedroom
Anna Tobin
6 January 2016
Houzz UK Contributor. I am an experienced lifestyle journalist, interior stylist and editor. I regularly contribute to all the UK glossies and the national press and international press and I run www.dontcrampourstyle.com, the blog for people who live in homes that they've physically outgrown. Follow me on Twitter @theannatobin or contact me via www.annatobin.co.uk
Houzz UK Contributor. I am an experienced lifestyle journalist, interior stylist... More
The huge range of shades of grey ensures this colour can lend itself to any décor style, from restful and serene to moody and Gothic. And forget any thoughts of grey being a cool or dreary colour. By bringing in different textures, layers and accent tones, as well as choosing the perfect shade for your space, you can ensure that whatever look you opt for, your bedroom will always feels warm and welcoming. Here are 9 beautiful grey schemes to inspire you.
Go for country cool (even in the city)
Grey doesn’t have to be the overriding feature in a grey scheme. Instead, it can provide a discreet background colour to an eclectic mix of styles.
You hardly notice the grey wall in this bedroom as your focus is drawn to the dark teal woodwork, matching velvet headboard, 1950s-style furniture and vintage rug. Yet that wall is a vital part of this west London room’s design; paint it any other colour and the space would lose its eccentric country-house style.
Grey doesn’t have to be the overriding feature in a grey scheme. Instead, it can provide a discreet background colour to an eclectic mix of styles.
You hardly notice the grey wall in this bedroom as your focus is drawn to the dark teal woodwork, matching velvet headboard, 1950s-style furniture and vintage rug. Yet that wall is a vital part of this west London room’s design; paint it any other colour and the space would lose its eccentric country-house style.
Ooze understated elegance
With combined soft shades of grey and taupe, the bed becomes the focal point of this classic, refined scheme. Frame it with an oversized upholstered headboard, then create an ordered arrangement of cushions and pillows in various light shades of grey, finished with a soft throw at the foot.
If you have the space, factor in more than one spot in which to relax. Here, an inviting armchair has been placed by the window and a neat ottoman is positioned at the end of the bed. Is space tight? Then squeeze in a small slipper chair or footstool. Finish with elegant, floor-skimming curtains and a luxurious, misty-coloured carpet.
With combined soft shades of grey and taupe, the bed becomes the focal point of this classic, refined scheme. Frame it with an oversized upholstered headboard, then create an ordered arrangement of cushions and pillows in various light shades of grey, finished with a soft throw at the foot.
If you have the space, factor in more than one spot in which to relax. Here, an inviting armchair has been placed by the window and a neat ottoman is positioned at the end of the bed. Is space tight? Then squeeze in a small slipper chair or footstool. Finish with elegant, floor-skimming curtains and a luxurious, misty-coloured carpet.
Rock Manhattan style
It takes courage to paint your walls a deep lead grey, but with the right lighting, mix of materials and standout features you can create a bedroom with real wow factor.
Here, panelling breaks up the expanse of dark wall, while the striking pendant lights throw a sophisticated glow. Matt bedding is complemented with linen that has a slight sheen to help reflect light around the room, while the two richly patterned wooden bedside tables add interesting visual contrast.
It takes courage to paint your walls a deep lead grey, but with the right lighting, mix of materials and standout features you can create a bedroom with real wow factor.
Here, panelling breaks up the expanse of dark wall, while the striking pendant lights throw a sophisticated glow. Matt bedding is complemented with linen that has a slight sheen to help reflect light around the room, while the two richly patterned wooden bedside tables add interesting visual contrast.
Be subtly sophisticated
For a more serene, grown-up feel, avoid grey walls altogether and use the colour instead to pick out key pieces of furniture. Here, a simple grey upholstered bed sits serenely against pale blue walls, with the period plasterwork deftly picked out with white paint.
The grey ottoman at the foot of the bed is topped with a mustard-coloured cushion to add a warm contrasting accent to the scheme.
For a more serene, grown-up feel, avoid grey walls altogether and use the colour instead to pick out key pieces of furniture. Here, a simple grey upholstered bed sits serenely against pale blue walls, with the period plasterwork deftly picked out with white paint.
The grey ottoman at the foot of the bed is topped with a mustard-coloured cushion to add a warm contrasting accent to the scheme.
Go for all-out opulence
Why not throw everything you have at your bedroom and make it the talking point of your home – a room that ensures you feel instantly indulged the moment you walk in? Shimmery silvery tones are perfect for creating the look you’re after.
Consider textures carefully and don’t be afraid to go large with key features. This room, with its show-stopping bed, mix of tactile finishes and heavy, floor-length curtains works the sumptuous look excellently. The oversized, buttoned velvet headboard, plump pillows, silky cushions and faux fur throw add all the essential luxurious finishing touches.
Why not throw everything you have at your bedroom and make it the talking point of your home – a room that ensures you feel instantly indulged the moment you walk in? Shimmery silvery tones are perfect for creating the look you’re after.
Consider textures carefully and don’t be afraid to go large with key features. This room, with its show-stopping bed, mix of tactile finishes and heavy, floor-length curtains works the sumptuous look excellently. The oversized, buttoned velvet headboard, plump pillows, silky cushions and faux fur throw add all the essential luxurious finishing touches.
Inject bold accents
Grey works particularly well with vibrant, neon brights. While the reverse of this colour scheme – neon accented with grey – could easily give your bedroom the look and feel of a fast-food restaurant, grey interspersed with hits of vibrant orange, citrus yellow or lime green creates a playful feel in a grown-up scheme.
Here, the ornate bed frame has been painted a vivid orange to match the stripe running around the charcoal coving and injects a sense of fun into a modern-Gothic look.
Discover more tricks for playing with colour
Grey works particularly well with vibrant, neon brights. While the reverse of this colour scheme – neon accented with grey – could easily give your bedroom the look and feel of a fast-food restaurant, grey interspersed with hits of vibrant orange, citrus yellow or lime green creates a playful feel in a grown-up scheme.
Here, the ornate bed frame has been painted a vivid orange to match the stripe running around the charcoal coving and injects a sense of fun into a modern-Gothic look.
Discover more tricks for playing with colour
Play with pattern
Grey works incredibly well in a repetitive pattern and mixing several different grey designs creates a pleasingly muted clash. This may be too much for everyday use, but it’s the perfect recipe for a guest room.
To prevent a mix of patterns making you feel dizzy, break it up with blocks of solid colour. In this bedroom, the patterned wallpaper and bed linen are anchored with mustard yellow cushions and monochrome accessories.
Browse ways to decorate confidently with pattern
Grey works incredibly well in a repetitive pattern and mixing several different grey designs creates a pleasingly muted clash. This may be too much for everyday use, but it’s the perfect recipe for a guest room.
To prevent a mix of patterns making you feel dizzy, break it up with blocks of solid colour. In this bedroom, the patterned wallpaper and bed linen are anchored with mustard yellow cushions and monochrome accessories.
Browse ways to decorate confidently with pattern
Channel Art Deco
As grey is a natural background colour, it’s the perfect partner for a room designed to let shape and form do the talking. And, with its sharp geometric lines, Art Deco style is the ideal bedfellow for this shade.
In this space, a striking geometric light-grey headboard takes pride of place in front of an upholstered grey panelled wall. It’s framed with silver table lamps to create a beautifully glamorous Jazz Age effect. Finish off with a decorative fantail mirror or an opulent 1920s-style chandelier to really ramp up the theme.
Discover how to achieve the Art Deco look
As grey is a natural background colour, it’s the perfect partner for a room designed to let shape and form do the talking. And, with its sharp geometric lines, Art Deco style is the ideal bedfellow for this shade.
In this space, a striking geometric light-grey headboard takes pride of place in front of an upholstered grey panelled wall. It’s framed with silver table lamps to create a beautifully glamorous Jazz Age effect. Finish off with a decorative fantail mirror or an opulent 1920s-style chandelier to really ramp up the theme.
Discover how to achieve the Art Deco look
Be shabby chic
In its chalky, beaten-up mode, grey is a key ingredient for any shabby chic boudoir. Team it with delicate florals and quirky one-off furniture pieces for a permanently laid-back Sunday morning feel.
To create this look in an already furnished bedroom, seek out specialist paints, such as those by Annie Sloan, which can be applied onto almost any surface with little or zero preparation. Use them to give existing pieces – from bedheads to chests of drawers or mirror frames – a vintage-effect revamp.
TELL US…
Have you created a dreamy grey bedroom? Tell us how and share your photos in the Comments below.
In its chalky, beaten-up mode, grey is a key ingredient for any shabby chic boudoir. Team it with delicate florals and quirky one-off furniture pieces for a permanently laid-back Sunday morning feel.
To create this look in an already furnished bedroom, seek out specialist paints, such as those by Annie Sloan, which can be applied onto almost any surface with little or zero preparation. Use them to give existing pieces – from bedheads to chests of drawers or mirror frames – a vintage-effect revamp.
TELL US…
Have you created a dreamy grey bedroom? Tell us how and share your photos in the Comments below.
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I am a huge fan of grey, it is simply the best neutral and I haven't found a colour or material that it doesn't compliment. I refinish furniture for a living and it has become a standing joke that I will paint anything any colour, as long as it's grey :D In my defence I use a variety of shades from deep slate to 'greige', khaki and dove grey. I find that a) it seems to instantly make a piece look updated and stylish and b) IT SELLS. I am currently experimenting with some other colours ie deep blues, as a change is as good as a rest, but they generally take twice as long to move. Despite all the exceptional interiors we see in magazines and online, the majority of ordinary people are still cautious about design and prefer to inject colour and personality into their home through accessories that can be easily changed.
We love grey when incorporated into a Scandinavian style bedroom :)
I am having grey fitted wardrobes installed in my bedroom. I don't want to end up with a dull, grey room. Am thinking of adding a pale plum feature wall maybe, and pale plum cushions and throw. Or is that a bit boring? The walls a pale silvery grey. I can't stand it when bright mustard yellow or bright orange is used. I like softness and warmth (can grey be warm?) and those colours are just too bright. I love colour, so decorating with grey will be a challenge. Anyone have any more ideas. I'm a fan of the country look, not keen on stark modern looks.