Grey and turquoise can make for a beautiful color combination when done right. Both are cooler, more tranquil shades that complement each other nicely. Turquoise adds a pop of brightness to grounded grey and grey helps tone down turquoise. There are a few tips and tricks to follow to ensure your grey and turquoise look is harmonious and stylish.
The Meaning Behind the Colors
Before diving into specifics on pairing grey and turquoise, it helps to understand what these colors represent. This gives insight into why they work well together.
Grey is a neutral shade associated with sleekness and refinement. It represents balance as it falls between black and white. Grey gives a sophisticated, elegant feeling to any space. It’s an excellent choice for subtle and relaxing ambiance.
Turquoise is a vivid, refreshing hue that calls to mind tropical waters and sunny skies. It symbolizes renewal and clarity. With slightly more energy than grey, turquoise adds a pop of excitement while still feeling laidback. It’s ideal for creating a tranquil atmosphere with a hint of vibrancy.
With their similar relaxed and calm characteristics, grey and turquoise complement each other beautifully. Grey grounds the look and turquoise lifts it up. The palette feels cohesive yet interesting at the same time.
Choosing the Right Tones
When pairing grey and turquoise, pay close attention to undertones. Cooler shades of each tend to work best together, while warm variants can clash. Stick to bluer greys and tealer, greenish turquoises for harmony.
For grey, excellent options include ice grey, silver grey, or blue grey. Steer clear of warm greys, which have brown or taupe hints. As for turquoise, pick shades with hints of green rather than yellow. Robin’s egg and teal blue turquoise have an aquatic feel that pairs splendidly with cool greys.
Lighter tones of each color also blend together more seamlessly. Charcoal grey and dark turquoise can appear too heavy alongside each other. Try medium to lighter shades like dove grey and sky blue turquoise for a more soothing, breezy look.
Using Accents and Neutrals
When decorating with grey and turquoise, it helps to use one as a neutral foundation and the other as accent shades. This creates visual interest without becoming overwhelming.
Grey makes an excellent neutral backdrop. Consider grey walls or larger grey furniture pieces like sofas or beds. Then use touches of turquoise in accessories like pillows, rugs, curtains or decor items. The turquoise will really pop against the grey.
You can also make turquoise the neutral and grey the accent. For example, paint built-in bookshelves or display cabinets turquoise. Then accessorize with grey lamps, trays and knickknacks. Just take care not to overdo the grey accents against a turquoise backdrop.
Adding creams, whites and other neutrals helps bridge the two colors. Crisp white trim or furniture pairs well with both grey and turquoise. Natural wood accents also complement the palette nicely.
Textures to Consider
Texture plays a key role in tying grey and turquoise together. Contrasting textures creates visual interest in the space.
For a cozy feel, use nubby, textured turquoise rugs with smooth grey walls and linens. Or pair sleek grey furniture with woven turquoise accent pillows. Fluffy area rugs feel inviting underfoot against polished turquoise flooring.
Natural fiber textures like linen, cotton and wool complement turquoise and grey. Metallics also give rooms a more dynamic, layered look. Try mercury glass pieces, brushed nickel fixtures or hammered silver trays.
Lastly, don’t shy away from bold patterns. Geometric grey rugs or turquoise ceramic tile give spaces fun energy. Just take care not to overwhelm the palette with competing prints.
Room-by-Room Tips
Grey and turquoise work in nearly any room when done right. Here are some pointers for using this color duo throughout your home:
Living Room
– Grey linen sofa with turquoise throw pillows
– Neutral walls with a large turquoise abstract art canvas focal point
– Grey storage ottomans and turquoise leather armchairs
– White built-in bookshelves with turquoise vases displayed
Bedroom
– Turquoise headboard with grey upholstered bedframe
– Light grey bedding with woven turquoise blanket at foot of bed
– Grey nightstands with turquoise table lamps
– Mirrored grey dresser and turquoise rug
Bathroom
– Grey subway tile walls with turquoise mosaic tile accent
– White tub surround with turquoise shower curtain
– Turquoise bath mats and grey linen towels
– Glass vessel sink on grey vanity
Kitchen
– Turquoise kitchen island with grey cabinetry
– Stainless appliances and light grey countertops
– Turquoise barstools at island
– Gleaming subway tile backsplash in grey
Home Office
– Grey desk and file cabinets with turquoise desk accessories
– Turquoise patterned area rug
– Grey office chair with turquoise pillow
– Neutral walls with turquoise art and grey floating shelves
Factors to Keep in Mind
When working with grey and turquoise, consider the light and overall atmosphere of the space. Here are some factors to keep in mind for success:
Natural Lighting: Spaces with ample natural light can handle richer, deeper shades of both grey and turquoise. East or north-facing rooms with cooler light call for lighter color choices. Be aware that turquoise can take on a greenish cast in some lighting.
Artificial Lighting: Look for bulbs between 2700-3000K to accurately perceive colors. Mixing cool and warm lighting can make grey and turquoise seem muddy.
Room Size: Bold turquoise makes a dramatic statement in a smaller space; go for softer neutral greys in compact rooms. Conversely, larger rooms can accommodate brighter turquoise accents against grey backdrops.
Purpose of Space: Energizing turquoise encourages productivity in home offices and work shops. Relaxing grey is fitting for restful spaces like bedrooms and spas.
Personal Taste: Some find grey too sedate and prefer more vibrant turquoise pops. Others feel overwhelmed by too much turquoise alongside grey. Take your own preferences into account.
Conclusion
With their similar serene, cool characteristics, grey and turquoise make for a sophisticated color pairing. The right tones and textures paired harmoniously create a relaxed yet still interesting look. Just mind the details like proper color temperature and lighting to ensure the palette feels cohesive.
Turquoise’s cheerful energy enlivens grey’s grounded foundation. Grey’s versatility beautifully showcases vivid turquoise accents. With so many possible combinations, grey and turquoise work wonderfully together in nearly any room when executed strategically. Give this stylish, tranquil color scheme a try for a refreshing update.
