Ask a Designer: How Can I Warm Up Elegant Greys?
Grey in its many hues is both beautiful and on trend, but it can sometimes look cold. Here’s how to add warmth while retaining its elegance
Greys are so in vogue right now – and have been for years – so it was easy to find images in this palette, but what was harder was finding schemes that felt warm and full of life. It seems the secret of a cosy yet stylish grey space lies in layers of tones and textures, which create the detail and depth that make a space so inviting while retaining the elegance of a minimal palette. Browse these images to see grey looking its best in every setting from trad to industrial.
Embrace silks and velvets
The rich sheens give this scheme a lovely glossy feel, moving away from that very chalky look you can sometimes get when using such similar shades. The velvets add an inviting, ‘come sit on me’ note, while the pendant light and wall shades take the gleam up high.
The rich sheens give this scheme a lovely glossy feel, moving away from that very chalky look you can sometimes get when using such similar shades. The velvets add an inviting, ‘come sit on me’ note, while the pendant light and wall shades take the gleam up high.
Exploit the mottled tones of concrete
This wall is enough to create real depth in this room, introducing the soft tones and endless feel of a cloudy sky. The brushed steel staircase curling down the concrete enclosure adds further texture and deeper shades of grey to the otherwise pure white scheme.
This wall is enough to create real depth in this room, introducing the soft tones and endless feel of a cloudy sky. The brushed steel staircase curling down the concrete enclosure adds further texture and deeper shades of grey to the otherwise pure white scheme.
Celebrate polished concrete
I’m a fan of polished concrete – I love the refinement of something that can be so crude and industrial looking. This TV wall sits beautifully on the white oiled floor and creates such clean, sharp lines as it meets the painted ceiling. The island unit is in the same finish, which makes for a sophisticated, minimal space.
Read more about the trend for industrial materials
I’m a fan of polished concrete – I love the refinement of something that can be so crude and industrial looking. This TV wall sits beautifully on the white oiled floor and creates such clean, sharp lines as it meets the painted ceiling. The island unit is in the same finish, which makes for a sophisticated, minimal space.
Read more about the trend for industrial materials
Add a hit of colour with flowers
Greys can be chic and this is a great example. I love seeing so much symmetry in a room – it really packs a punch when you’re combining so many layers of materials and shades. But it’s the flowers that really add life here. Something living – especially in a single bright – can really energise a muted scheme.
Greys can be chic and this is a great example. I love seeing so much symmetry in a room – it really packs a punch when you’re combining so many layers of materials and shades. But it’s the flowers that really add life here. Something living – especially in a single bright – can really energise a muted scheme.
Leave materials in their natural form
I love the rustic charm of this room with the use of really delicate, chalky pastel tones. The surrounding plasterwork and stone floor bring enough interest to this space without the need for any pattern.
I love the rustic charm of this room with the use of really delicate, chalky pastel tones. The surrounding plasterwork and stone floor bring enough interest to this space without the need for any pattern.
Let the architecture do the talking
This is the perfect palette for me – moving slowly through warm greys to beiges and then bringing in those rich blues in the sofas. The panelling is just stunning and there is no doubt that its the architecture that creates the impact. In a room this beautiful, you don’t need to be bold, you can just let the space speak for itself.
Take a look at more ways to use panelling
This is the perfect palette for me – moving slowly through warm greys to beiges and then bringing in those rich blues in the sofas. The panelling is just stunning and there is no doubt that its the architecture that creates the impact. In a room this beautiful, you don’t need to be bold, you can just let the space speak for itself.
Take a look at more ways to use panelling
Layer materials rather than fabrics
Creating that layered palette can be very simply achieved with the use of materials in the body of the building rather than in the fabrics. Here, the herringbone floor meeting the horizontal grain on the walls then running up to the underside of the staircase is simply stunning. The shadow gap in the ceiling casts a lovely darker shade around the room, which really adds atmosphere.
Creating that layered palette can be very simply achieved with the use of materials in the body of the building rather than in the fabrics. Here, the herringbone floor meeting the horizontal grain on the walls then running up to the underside of the staircase is simply stunning. The shadow gap in the ceiling casts a lovely darker shade around the room, which really adds atmosphere.
Use white to lighten the mood
Greys schemes don’t have to be all smoochy and sleepy. Using lots of whites alongside can immediately give you that vibrant Californian feel. The white in this room gently punctuates the grey at every turn – the shelves slicing the wall, the pattern freshening the pouffes, cushions dotting the sofa – to create an uplifting atmosphere.
Have you used grey in your home? Share your tips and photos in the Comments below.
Greys schemes don’t have to be all smoochy and sleepy. Using lots of whites alongside can immediately give you that vibrant Californian feel. The white in this room gently punctuates the grey at every turn – the shelves slicing the wall, the pattern freshening the pouffes, cushions dotting the sofa – to create an uplifting atmosphere.
Have you used grey in your home? Share your tips and photos in the Comments below.
The shimmering grey and pale blue rug really lifts this space – I think I can spy some silk or possibly bamboo creating that sheen, which brings this room to life. I love the geometric design, too, which imposes a little order and is cleverly echoed in the coffee table.