When it comes to colors to go with gray, you’re spoiled for choice. That’s because as well as being neutral, gray is synonymous with style, sophistication and glamour, and is especially effective when used with other shades.
The versatility of this shade is such that it is a great companion for most tones. From sunny Mediterranean tones and cooler tones to even classic crisp neutrals… they all work wonders when paired together.
We spoke to several designers to understand the different shades and rules as indicated by color theory for finding the perfect match for gray. Check out these suggestions and apply them in your home!
What colors go with gray?
“Grey is an ideal color because it goes with many interior styles and trends,” says Richard Ticehurst, brand expert at Crosswater (opens in new tab). “It’s also incredibly versatile when it comes to collaborating with other colors. Depending on the underlying tones and color depth, gray can be combined with almost any other shade.
“As versatile as gray is, it’s important to consider undertones when pairing it with another shade,” says Richard. Cool grays work best with cooler color schemes, such as blue, green, and light purple, while warm grays work better with red, orange, and yellow. For fans of the monochromatic look, use different shades of gray, in addition to white and black, to create depth and visual interest.’
Hebe is an experienced in-house writer and editor. She has written hundreds of articles to help readers make the best home design choices, and spends her days interviewing interior design industry experts to bring the latest ideas to her readers. For this piece, she spoke to top designers to understand which colors go best with gray.
1. Gray and yellow
(Image credit: Bryan O’Sullivan. Photo credit Helen Cathcart)
One of the most uplifting colors to go with yellow is gray. That’s because both colors are versatile and can make a statement that’s as bold or subtle as you want it to be. Think of deep gray with warm yellow, or light gray with muted or mango yellow. Both combinations look striking and yet so different.
A combination of gray and yellow goes particularly well with a modern and contemporary style. You can determine the amount of both shades when creating your color scheme. If your base color is gray and you don’t want to make a big commitment to accentuating color, bring in yellow through small accessories.
2. Gray and black
(Image credit: Lindye Galloway Studio + Shop. Photo credit Leslie Brown)
When it comes to decorating with neutrals, gray and black are two colors you probably wouldn’t think of. Yes, we usually think of light shades as neutrals, but both grays and blacks, monotones and deep tones with gravitas can individually lift a scheme when paired with other lighter colors.
And when paired together, they offset each other beautifully, creating a deep, moody interior.
“Just because gray and black are very similar doesn’t mean they can’t be used together,” says Lindye Galloway, founder of Lindye Galloway Studio + Shop (opens in new tab).
‘Using dark gray with black can create a beautiful and bold monochrome space. We added different patterns and textures to the color range to keep a room visually interesting,” says Lindye. “We also accentuated the room with some extra beige accents in the painting, cushions and curtains to create more dimension against the dark background without compromising the bold impact.”
3. Gray and white
(Image credit: Brad Ramsey Interiors. Photo credit Paige Rumore Photography)
You can pair a barely there gray with a crisp white for a light and airy space or contrast white with deep, moody charcoal. In this gray and white living room, a touch of gray in the checkerboard floor helps to add depth to almost any white space.
“Depending on your styling, the look can be relaxed and dreamy or quite tailored, but it always leans towards a modern Scandinavian note,” says Sarah Spiteri, Editorial Director of Livingetc. ‘The key is to vary the proportions of gray and white; a 50/50 split will feel pretty cold. The texture is an essential complementary ingredient – thick weaves, rough woods and marble all work well.’ recommends.
As simple as this pairing is, not all whites will work with every gray. The undertones need to work together, so warmer whites probably work best with warmer grays, and cool grays with purer whites.
Just be sure to try out your combinations in your home to make sure they work together in the lighting of your space.
4. Gray and pink
(Image credit: Victory Colors)
“Blush pink is the ideal shade to warm up grays just a little bit without really adding too much warmth to a room or being too sweet,” says Sarah. A muted, dusky pink makes a room more inviting. Blush is the right choice for this effect, as it is more subtle than other pinks and less daring than red.’
“Soft, natural grays look great with a neutral pink.” says color expert Annie Sloan. “I often use French Linen with Antoinette (my earthy neutral pink), because French Linen is a complex gray that allows the pink to grow, breathe, and warm. It will bring out the earthiness and warmth of the pink.”
And that’s why pink and gray living rooms are so soothing – the hues feel inviting and calming.
5. Gray and earthy reds
(Image credit: Jon Day)
A great color to go with red is gray, and while it may sound a little intense, it can work if you pick the right shades. For a bold look, combine deep charcoal walls with a splash of vibrant red in the form of a statement sofa or armchair. And if you want a more subtle look, tone down that red and choose an earthy, terracotta shade and pair it with a lighter cloudy gray.
“When I’m using a cool shade of gray, I like to use pops with a warm color,” says Annie. “It’s a very effective way to make a room much more vibrant and rewarding to look at, and you only need small amounts of your accent color.” I also like blue-grey with terracotta, because these colors contrast nicely and give a lovely, juicy contrast. In the past I have painted a wall in gray and then used terracotta tones to accentuate panels on the wall.’
“These herbal-inspired colors are a big story right now, and I love the way they work with gray,” says Sarah. “Use the warmer, brighter colors sparingly as more of an accent. This combination is also worth remembering if you have a brick wall inside.”
When combining gray with shades of red, make sure that the gray you choose also has a reddish undertone.
6. Gray and sage vegetables
(Image credit: Billy Bolton)
Sage green has been growing in popularity for months; you see more sage green kitchens and signature walls than navy blue these days. And it works so well with gray because they have the same calming, grounding, soft tones and in fact this muted green when combined with gray becomes almost neutral too. Perfect if you want to introduce the second color to a gray room, but don’t want to lose the overall serene, neutral scheme.
Combine the lightest grays with a cool, light green for a contemporary combination that works particularly well in kitchens. Then ground all those light, airy colors by adding a touch of black or dark wood.
“For a sophisticated and fresh color combination, consider adding a palette of soft pastels to a gray interior.” suggests Jane Nicholson, co-founder of House of Dome. ‘This doesn’t have to be limited to a few colors; the delicate nature of muted tones allows you to be a little more experimental. Choose upholstery in mixed shades of gray with warm pink and sage green.’
7. Gray and navy blue
(Image credit: Paul Massey)
If you’re looking for a color that blends effortlessly with any shade of gray, navy blue is the way to go. Combine it with soft, light gray to warm up the room, or create some drama with deep, almost black gray.
A muted mustard yellow has been introduced in this blue living room, which perfectly mutes all the cooler tones prevalent here. Accessories such as rugs and prints, and accent furniture such as coffee tables are perfect for adding some extra color.
8. Gray and Orange
(Image credit: James Merrell)
A pop of vibrant orange is sure to bring freshness to an all-gray scheme. There are plenty of shades of orange that pair perfectly with gray, so you can go bold or as subtle as you like.
For example, burnt oranges paired with a mid gray could be the perfect rustic bedroom color scheme, while a charcoal gray and bright tangerine shade will be more modern and eye catching. Whichever look you choose, add a bright white to an orange and gray color palette to amp up that contrast and make the orange pop.
9. Gray and more gray
(Image credit: Paul Massey)
When choosing color combinations for your home, if a monochromatic color scheme is more your vibe, pair gray with gray. Maybe that sounds a bit…boring, but layering gray on gray can create just as interesting a space as combining gray with another color. The key is contrast, contrast and texture.
You don’t want your grays to be too close together and you also want to have some different shades as that will draw attention. So choose grays from across the color spectrum, even if you want a room to be light gray overall, add some medium grays and some darks as well.
“Whether you’re going for a dramatic tone or going for a lighter scheme, mixing different shades of gray can work really well,” says Sarah. “Pale tones create a more relaxed look, while darker, richer tones make an impact and can enhance the cocooning feel of a compact room.”
The risk of combining gray with gray is that it looks a bit flat. Avoid this by adding lots of textures and mixing in some natural materials like rattan and wood. Also accessorize with different materials and finishes.
Sarah recommends bringing “copper or bronze along with linen, velvet or chunky knit. Another trick is to add warm metallics and subtle shimmers to fabrics, pillows or rugs to give a room a flattering brightness.’
