How to Create Magic With Light Grey
The hottest new neutral can be cool or warm, formal or casual, and feminine or masculine. Talk about versatile
Samantha Schoech
7 February 2018
Houzz Contributor. I am a former magazine editor specializing in travel and design. I just completed my first remodel, turning my crumbling 1941 kitchen into a beauty of grays, whites and natural wood. If I could, I'd sleep on the countertop. That's how much I love it.
You can also read my parenting blog on Baby Center http://blogs.babycenter.com/author/sschoech/
Houzz Contributor. I am a former magazine editor specializing in travel and design.... More
Light grey is this decade’s trendiest neutral. It has replaced beige as the wall colour of choice. (I actually don’t know if this is true in a statistical sense, but it sure feels like it.)
A true neutral grey is a mixture of black and white, but we hardly ever see a true neutral grey. What we see are infinite shades of warm and cool greys. Warm greys have yellow or brown undertones. Cool greys have a blue undertone. The ubiquitous “greige“ is a very warm grey that can look almost beige.
Cool or blue greys tend to have a very crisp, almost icy look to them. They are wonderful with bright whites in formal rooms and with blues and beiges. You can treat them almost like a light blue. Warm or yellow greys are complemented by creamy whites and warm colours like yellows, pinks and natural woods.
But, of course, there are no fast rues. A cool grey can be the perfect way to offset wood, and you are more than welcome to mix a warm grey with blues.
These examples show a variety of mash-ups that work and illustrate the beauty and versatility of the colour.
A true neutral grey is a mixture of black and white, but we hardly ever see a true neutral grey. What we see are infinite shades of warm and cool greys. Warm greys have yellow or brown undertones. Cool greys have a blue undertone. The ubiquitous “greige“ is a very warm grey that can look almost beige.
Cool or blue greys tend to have a very crisp, almost icy look to them. They are wonderful with bright whites in formal rooms and with blues and beiges. You can treat them almost like a light blue. Warm or yellow greys are complemented by creamy whites and warm colours like yellows, pinks and natural woods.
But, of course, there are no fast rues. A cool grey can be the perfect way to offset wood, and you are more than welcome to mix a warm grey with blues.
These examples show a variety of mash-ups that work and illustrate the beauty and versatility of the colour.
Light grey on the walls
Grey sets off the white trim and wainscoting in this feminine and traditional room. Bright white and light grey often have a sort of ethereal and romantic look together.
Grey sets off the white trim and wainscoting in this feminine and traditional room. Bright white and light grey often have a sort of ethereal and romantic look together.
This cool grey accent wall in a big, modern room works because all the wood warms it up.
Check out these 17 rooms with grey walls
Check out these 17 rooms with grey walls
This domed ceiling in a cool light grey (with hand-painted embellishments) gives this elegant room a dreamy quality.
This pinkish grey is in the greige family. It’s modern but welcoming and cozy too.
A very blue grey helps bridge the gap between the traditional elements in this room and the modern windows. The dollops of colour relax it and give it warmth.
Here’s how to work your room around a grey sofa
Here’s how to work your room around a grey sofa
A very pale cool grey is a soothing background for a simple, modern nursery.
A pale blue-grey on the walls and a darker warm grey behind the open shelving help give this modern farmhouse dining room its eclectic vibe.
This silvery gray wall covering sure looks like Maya Romanoff‘s Mother of Pearl collection.
Decorating with light grey
Variations in grey. A light grey bookshelf and desk against a slightly lighter grey on the walls. It all adds up to a sophisticated and soothing space.
Variations in grey. A light grey bookshelf and desk against a slightly lighter grey on the walls. It all adds up to a sophisticated and soothing space.
Grey leather upholstery is such a nice change from the more usual black, white or brown. And it goes with anything. This chesterfield-style sofa would be at home in a traditional, modern or eclectic room.
Here’s the ethereal grey and white combo I was talking about earlier. Just like sleeping in a cloud.
This oversize tufted headboard give this room a regal and commanding presence, but the soft grey keeps it welcoming and comforting.
Take a look at these 10 head-turning headboards
Take a look at these 10 head-turning headboards
Romance in grey and creamy white.
Light grey to set off colour
First, these textured plaster walls are just too gorgeous to be true. Second, grey sets off bright pops of colour as well as bright white. Wow, now that’s magenta.
First, these textured plaster walls are just too gorgeous to be true. Second, grey sets off bright pops of colour as well as bright white. Wow, now that’s magenta.
These bright turquoise chairs are set off beautifully by these cool blue-grey walls.
In a wonderfully eclectic room, lots of ethnic pattern and colour are balanced by the crisp grey walls and white trim.
Everything you ever wanted to know about eclectic decor
Everything you ever wanted to know about eclectic decor
Two shots of turquoise in this very subdued grey and white mid-century kitchen.
Sunshine yellow and light grey are a match made in heaven. Just think sunshine and rain clouds.
Find out why you should pair yellow with grey
Find out why you should pair yellow with grey
Light grey in the kitchen
Light grey sets off the texture in marble and goes well with stainless appliances. But look for a warm shade to avoid the laboratory look.
Light grey sets off the texture in marble and goes well with stainless appliances. But look for a warm shade to avoid the laboratory look.
Light grey Shaker-style cabinets are a great way to modernise a traditional look.
This very warm greige on the upper cabinets gives this kitchen a cozy farmhouse look but is still crisp and modern.
Weathered wood
Many woods weather to a beautiful silvery grey. These light grey wood floors are an unexpected alternative to the usual brown.
Many woods weather to a beautiful silvery grey. These light grey wood floors are an unexpected alternative to the usual brown.
This weathered wood wall adds texture and a hit of nature to a stark white space.
Light grey exteriors
A light grey craftsman home with white, charcoal and red accents.
A light grey craftsman home with white, charcoal and red accents.
Light grey is the traditional colour of Cape Cod-style houses.
Light grey on a colonial-style home.
This very warm Copley Grey has an earthiness that looks great with wood.
Read more:
7 Spaces That Shine Because of the Colour Grey
Tell us:
Have you used light grey in your home? Share images in the Comments below.
Read more:
7 Spaces That Shine Because of the Colour Grey
Tell us:
Have you used light grey in your home? Share images in the Comments below.
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Do you feel Benjamin Moore's Coventry Grey does look actual grey on walls w/ no pink or blue?
I'm a real estate agent who sees a lot of Benjamin Moore Light Pewter on new construction and flips. It's a warm gray, ideal with today's white kitchens and bathrooms. And it's lovely with bright white trim.