Choosing accent colors for gray is an art form that is perfectly explained here. When decorating any room in your home, you might feel like something is missing and it might just be an accent color. This technique of adding unexpected nuance to small areas of the room is one of the fastest ways to add drama to a space, while creating a harmonious scheme.
Decorating with gray was strictly in interior design for many years now. Undeniably the enduring neutral, this cool color adds sophistication, elegance and sophistication to a room, and is a must-have for anyone who wants an easygoing tone that’s easy to color and redecorate, but what are home colors? accent for grey?
Getting accent color ideas isn’t always easy. Here, design experts tell us their favorite, classic and spunky accent colors for gray, plus color trends and bedroom color ideas for the year ahead.
Accent colors for gray
We asked a panel of industry experts for their thoughts on which accent colors work well with gray for them – using a color wheel will help you get it right.
1. Combine gray with yellow in an entry
(Image credit: Little Greene)
Paint ideas are the perfect way to transform a space quickly and easily, adding personality and character to create an inspired interior, says Ruth Mottershead, Creative Director of Little Greene. (opens in a new tab).
“The natural wood and textures combine beautifully with more neutral, color-toned interiors, they add an extra layer of depth and interest,” says Ruth Mottershead. “Adding a ribbon of a brighter hue such as ‘Marigold’, which looks fantastic as a thick band echoing the architectural line of the balustrade, will really enhance the space and give a touch of revitalizing color.”
2. Pair brown with a pale gray to add depth
(Image credit: Kitesgrove)
“Decorating with gray is a versatile color to combine as it can carry both cooler and warmer tones such as green, blue and pink which can successfully offset and balance other colors,” says designer Katie Lion. interior designer at Kitesgrove. (opens in a new tab). “Here we wanted to take advantage of the warmer pink undertones of the gray fabric headboard and balance that with a rich brown to add depth and interest to the space. This balance of gray and brown works particularly well in a bedroom as it is warm and enveloping without overwhelming the space.
3. Choose caramel for an inviting feel
(Image credit: Lindye Galloway Studio + Shop/Chad Mellon)
“Caramel works well with almost anything,” says Lindye Galloway, Founder and Creative Director at Lindye Galloway Studio + Shop. (opens in a new tab). “I especially like how it works with gray, but it can also complement white, off-white, brown, blush, even yellow, teal, and orange. The color combination of gray and caramel makes a very inviting space in most settings and works extremely well in mid-century modern spaces with rich caramel wood furniture.
4. Offset Mid Grays with Ivory in a Contemporary Space
(Image credit: Carpetright)
Although there has been a move towards bolder colors, beige and neutral floors remain at the heart of most homes; providing the perfect foundation while allowing design enthusiasts to be adventurous and creative in the rest of their space.
“Grey interiors have become increasingly popular in recent years, with gray floors giving a scheme a base that can easily be brightened or toned down with furniture and accessories,” says Punam Chada, carpet buyer at Carpetright. (opens in a new tab).
5. For a sleek contemporary touch, choose off-black
(Image credit: Neptune)
Bold and decadent, dark bedroom ideas can be hard to come by, but once mastered, they can add stylish confidence to your space like no other color, especially when paired with gray.
“If you’re looking for something contemporary, black is a good fit,” says George Miller, interior designer at Neptune. (opens in a new tab). ‘Painted woodwork is a great way to explore this accent color – our off-black Charcoal stain really modernizes our classic Wardley canopy bed. We’ve also welcomed a new Warm Black paint to our collection, it’s deep, enveloping and a bit softer than the other blacks.
6. Contrast with Barely Black, Slate Gray and Coral
(Image credit: Little Greene)
As well as working well with uplifting whites, neutral shades can also be easily combined with darker colors, and it’s a great way to bring warmth and intimacy to any space. Darker colors work great in small rooms with very little light to create a cozy feel.
‘Here ‘Basalt’ looks almost black and balances beautifully with ‘French Gray Pale’, a fabulous alternative to white which is neither too warm nor too cold and therefore very flexible in many different lights and spaces, while ‘ ‘Orange Aurora’ brings a touch of coral to the painted stool, and is a welcome pop of color contrast,” says Ruth Mottershead, Creative Director at Little Greene (opens in a new tab).
7. Play with light and dark for a striking look
(Image credit: Urbanology/Turnbow Photography)
Steel gray and stone are a great combination if you want to create a contemporary vibe. This rustic dining room has a mix of classic and modern style furniture, so painting the walls in two shades carries this design look perfectly. Painting the darker color on the lower half of the walls grounds the look and makes the room feel spacious.
8. Warm up a medium gray bedroom with mustard
(Image credit: Neptune)
‘Grey bedroom ideas have been a popular choice for interiors for some time as they pair well with many other colors, although settling on accents isn’t always easy, ocher shades, like our mustard paint and the Isla Finch velvet, will soften any cold. shades your gray scheme may have,” says George Miller, home designer at Neptune (opens in a new tab).
9. Use a winning combination of blue and gray
(Image credit: Mylands/Middleton Kitchens)
Thanks to the tonal versatility of these universally loved colors, blue and gray work well together for your kitchen color ideas. ‘For example, Mylands Deep Blue Bond Street™ No. 219, shown here in a striking space by Middleton Kitchens, is a bold and intense color that pairs perfectly with neutrals, especially lighter shades of grey, which help offset the visual impact of deep blue,” says Dominic Mylands, CEO of Mylands (opens in a new tab).
10. Try charcoal gray with soft green for a soothing bathroom
(Image credit: Little Greene)
For a calm and relaxing gray bathroom idea, anthracite grays such as “Vulcan” provide a feeling of cocooning warmth. It contrasts perfectly with the white elements of this bathroom, creating a spa-like feel, keeping it fresh and elegant. “At the other end of the spectrum, it also pairs really well with a muted green, like ‘Livid,’ shown here on the tub and window sill,” says Ruth Mottershead, Creative Director at Little Greene . (opens in a new tab).
What accent color goes with gray?
The best accent colors that go with gray are the ones that sing. Surprisingly, you can go wrong decorating with gray. For example, a scheme of one gray will look flat and unappealing, so be sure to introduce other greys, neutrals and warmer shades with accent colors, overlays and textures in interior decoration. Likewise, decorating with gray and primary colors or pastel colors won’t look right – the best combinations are earthy, natural shades that add an element of warmth to your scheme.