7 Colours to Team With Grey
Wondering which shades shine against grey walls? Browse these winning combinations for inspiration
Victoria Harrison
2 August 2021
Editor, Houzz UK and Ireland
Grey walls can form the backdrop for myriad design schemes, but it can be tricky to know with which colours to pair them. If you’re looking for inspiration, here are seven of the best colour combinations to kick-start your own decorating project.
Emerald green
Rich forest green and pale dove grey can be an elegant combination, as demonstrated in this living room. The wash of very soft grey on the walls provides a cool-toned backdrop to the rich, statement green sofa, and also makes the perfect foil for the brass accents.
In a room that’s this light and bright, the pale grey shade creates a calm, grown-up scheme. A darker grey wall would also work with a green sofa, but the effect would be much richer and more dramatic, so it’s a pairing best suited to smaller or darker rooms.
Rich forest green and pale dove grey can be an elegant combination, as demonstrated in this living room. The wash of very soft grey on the walls provides a cool-toned backdrop to the rich, statement green sofa, and also makes the perfect foil for the brass accents.
In a room that’s this light and bright, the pale grey shade creates a calm, grown-up scheme. A darker grey wall would also work with a green sofa, but the effect would be much richer and more dramatic, so it’s a pairing best suited to smaller or darker rooms.
Gold
Rich, burnished golds and warm metallics are an instant way to add glamour and depth to a grey scheme.
If bling is your thing, bright, shiny gold-coloured pieces can add the wow factor. For a more subtle finish, aged or vintage gold, brass or copper accessories with a soft patina will provide the depth and interest a flat shade of grey can sometimes lack.
Lighting and picture frames are classic ways to add gold, although introducing it as a kitchen splashback or cladding material, as here with this highly polished copper panel, would certainly make a splash.
Rich, burnished golds and warm metallics are an instant way to add glamour and depth to a grey scheme.
If bling is your thing, bright, shiny gold-coloured pieces can add the wow factor. For a more subtle finish, aged or vintage gold, brass or copper accessories with a soft patina will provide the depth and interest a flat shade of grey can sometimes lack.
Lighting and picture frames are classic ways to add gold, although introducing it as a kitchen splashback or cladding material, as here with this highly polished copper panel, would certainly make a splash.
Blush pink
Blush, peach, millennial… Whatever you want to call this shade of pink, it’s a natural partner for grey walls and sofas.
Here, the simple white and grey scheme has been warmed up and lifted by the pink accents, which are enhanced by the copper and pale wood, both of which have warm undertones.
Ready to get cracking on your revamp? Find design professionals in your area.
Blush, peach, millennial… Whatever you want to call this shade of pink, it’s a natural partner for grey walls and sofas.
Here, the simple white and grey scheme has been warmed up and lifted by the pink accents, which are enhanced by the copper and pale wood, both of which have warm undertones.
Ready to get cracking on your revamp? Find design professionals in your area.
Bright yellow
Citrussy yellow can cut through the softness of grey, so it works well as a fresh and contemporary accent colour.
Yellow accessories are best kept crisp, so simple shapes and block colours work well. Bring in some texture with rich velvets and slubby linens to add interest.
Citrussy yellow can cut through the softness of grey, so it works well as a fresh and contemporary accent colour.
Yellow accessories are best kept crisp, so simple shapes and block colours work well. Bring in some texture with rich velvets and slubby linens to add interest.
White
OK, it’s not strictly a colour, but crisp white is a natural partner for darker shades of grey, as illustrated by this smart kitchen.
One for the minimalists, it’s a cool, calm and elegant combination that works well if livened up with some natural textures, like the wooden chopping boards and bar stools and the woven basket shown here.
Find the perfect bar stool on Houzz today.
OK, it’s not strictly a colour, but crisp white is a natural partner for darker shades of grey, as illustrated by this smart kitchen.
One for the minimalists, it’s a cool, calm and elegant combination that works well if livened up with some natural textures, like the wooden chopping boards and bar stools and the woven basket shown here.
Find the perfect bar stool on Houzz today.
Cherry red
Grey rooms can be cool, calm and elegant, but they can also run the risk of becoming industrial and chilly if no accent colours are used to introduce a little warmth. Cherry red is a bold, bright and fun accent colour to pair with grey, but one that needs to be used in small doses.
This glossy red fridge is the star of the show in this smart grey kitchen and brings character and life to the room. One big item is enough, but to stop it looking random, the colour has also been picked up in a couple of accessories, too, namely the artwork and the coffee machine.
Grey rooms can be cool, calm and elegant, but they can also run the risk of becoming industrial and chilly if no accent colours are used to introduce a little warmth. Cherry red is a bold, bright and fun accent colour to pair with grey, but one that needs to be used in small doses.
This glossy red fridge is the star of the show in this smart grey kitchen and brings character and life to the room. One big item is enough, but to stop it looking random, the colour has also been picked up in a couple of accessories, too, namely the artwork and the coffee machine.
Peacock blue
While they might not seem obvious bedfellows, grey and blue can actually nicely complement each other if chosen wisely, as illustrated here.
Pick a jewel shade – sapphire, teal or turquoise, for instance – rather than a duller airforce or very pale blue, so it shines against the grey.
Velvet in a rich blue shade will look wonderful next to matt grey, as the sheen on the fabric will reflect the light and add a ripple of glamour.
Read more:
How to Pick the Right Shade of Grey
Tell us:
Which colour would you pair with grey? Let us know in the Comments section.
While they might not seem obvious bedfellows, grey and blue can actually nicely complement each other if chosen wisely, as illustrated here.
Pick a jewel shade – sapphire, teal or turquoise, for instance – rather than a duller airforce or very pale blue, so it shines against the grey.
Velvet in a rich blue shade will look wonderful next to matt grey, as the sheen on the fabric will reflect the light and add a ripple of glamour.
Read more:
How to Pick the Right Shade of Grey
Tell us:
Which colour would you pair with grey? Let us know in the Comments section.
Related Stories
Photo Books
35 Trending Wall Colours From Urban Indian Homes
Take your pick from versatile neutrals to brilliant jewel tones, from raw concrete hues to abstract colour blocking
Full Story
Most Popular
Where to Use Which Paint?
Know your emulsions from your acrylics, and the right types for painting the home's interior & exterior
Full Story
Decorating Guides
How to Decide on a Colour Scheme for the Whole House
Don't be daunted. With these strategies, building a cohesive scheme for your entire home is less difficult than it seems
Full Story
Indian Homes
Is Too Much Colour a Bad Thing? These Indian Homes Say No
Go bold or go home ... these spaces do both admirably
Full Story
Colour Guides
When Colours Are Not What They Seem
By Tess Dolan
Understand the tricks colours can play on you and what can be done to avoid pesky pairings in the home
Full Story
Decorating Guides
Timeless Wall and Sofa Colour Combinations
Here is a compilation of wall and sofa colour combos that help achieve a balance or create an intriguing contrast in the living room
Full Story
Most Popular
11 Paint Colours That Complement Wood Details
Pair your wood trim and cabinets with the right shade of wall paint to bring out the beauty in both
Full Story
Decorating Ideas
12 Ceiling Colours That Aren't White & Why You Would Want Them
These surprising ceiling colours will have you looking up to them and away from the ubiquitous white
Full Story
Photo Books
22 Ways to Use Colour in Your Home
Our coffee-break escape offers you five minutes' worth of images to inspire and delight. Jump right in...
Full Story
Kitchen Guides
24 Alluring Kitchen Colour Ideas & Combinations
Do you want your kitchen to be its own person (so to speak)? Here we look beyond neutrals to beautifully coloured kitchens
Full Story
I have just painted our very small bedroom warm pewter and white and struggling to introduce a third colour that will say elegant but doesnt pop to distract but compliments to acheive a cosy elegant space , any ideas ?
HU, you probably need bed linen that includes jewel tones, whichever colours take your fancy. Wooden Venetian blinds for warmth (and privacy)?
9761335600
9643350343
8851525652
SK Shadab Khan contractor all interior work civil all decoration