When decorating a room with grey walls or grey furniture, choosing the right colour curtains to match can be tricky. Curtains play a big role in tying a room’s decor together, so getting the colour right is important for creating a cohesive and stylish look. There are a few key factors to consider when selecting curtain colours for a grey room.
Complementary Colours
A popular approach is to choose curtain colours that complement grey. Colours located opposite each other on the color wheel are considered complementary colours. For grey walls and decor, some top complementary curtain colour options include:
– Yellow – A bright, warm yellow instantly lifts a grey room. Pale yellow works well for a soft accent.
– Coral – From peach to deep orange-red, coral shades pair beautifully with grey to create an energizing look.
– Mint green – Cool mint greens give fresh contrast to grey without overpowering. Sage green is earthier.
– Lavender – Light purples like lilac or lavender set off grey with a subtle pop of colour.
– Light blue – Soft sky blue, powder blue, and robin’s egg blue all complement grey nicely. Darker blues also pair well.
Curtains in any of these shades will make the grey features pop while adding liveliness and visual interest.
Monochromatic
For a calm, soothing look, consider staying within the same grey color family for both your walls and curtains. Choose lighter or darker shades of grey, or layer shades of grey with different textures. Going monochromatic with various grey tones can create depth and dimension. Adding white and black accents pulls the look together.
Some examples of monochromatic grey curtain colours:
– Light grey with dark charcoal grey walls
– Medium grey with black and white stripes
– Dark silver curtains with walls in mushroom grey
Keep the look from becoming too flat by introducing subtly contrasting grey hues and textures.
Metallic Accents
For serious glamour and drama, metallic grey curtains pair strikingly with grey walls. Options include:
– Silver – Mirrored silver gives ultra modern flair or try shimmery silver-grey sheers.
– Pewter – Satin pewter grey has an elegant, sophisticated look.
– Steel grey – Grey with a subtle metallic sheen in steel blue tones for an edgy vibe.
– Charcoal – Deeper grey tones in a metallic charcoal grey read as a neutral with major impact.
The key is choosing metals that pick up on the tones of your grey walls rather than contrasting sharply. Keep the rest of the decor minimal to let the bold metallic curtains shine.
Natural Neutrals
For a laidback, earthy aesthetic, natural linen or cotton curtains in neutral shades work beautifully with grey walls. Try:
– Cream – Warm cream curtains soften cool greys. Avoid stark whites so as not to clash.
– Tan – Light beige and tan shades mix seamlessly with grey for a tranquil mood.
– Light brown – Sand, taupe, and soft brown shades bring depth without overwhelming grey rooms.
Layer in natural wood furniture and plants to complete the organic look. Textured linen, cotton, or bamboo curtains with these neutral earth tones keep the palette grounded.
Bolder Colour Accents
While vibrant colours can feel jarring with grey, rich jewel tones and deeper shades can make chic accent colours for curtains when done right. Consider:
– Forest green – Deep green velvet curtains offset grey for an elegant, traditional look.
– Burgundy – Wine-red or marsala curtains give a moody burst of colour.
– Navy blue – Nautical navy blue pops against grey walls.
– Charcoal – A blackish-grey saturated curtain colour adds drama.
Use these deep hues sparingly, on one set of curtains or on the window opposite pale grey walls. Keep other decor neutral to avoid looking crowded.
Curtain Styles for Grey Walls
Beyond colour, the style of your curtains impacts how they coordinate with grey walls. Consider these curtain styles:
Textured
– Velvet – Luxe velvet in complementary shades adds texture.
– Linen or cotton – Natural rough-textured fabrics soften the look.
– Damask or brocade – Intricate patterns work with solid grey walls.
Sheer
– Light voile – Pretty gathered sheers soften hard grey edges.
– Silk organza – Semi-transparent and luminous, great layered with solids.
Patterned
– Geometric prints – Angular patterns like chevron stripes complement grey.
– Watercolour – Soft blurred watercolour prints in accent colours keep it relaxed.
Window Styles
– Floor length – Long curtains can frame tall vertical windows overlooking grey walls.
– Café – Shorter café-style curtains let in more light, ideal for smaller spaces.
Accent pieces
– Valances – Contrasting valances trim the tops of windows.
– Tiebacks – Coloured sashes add a bold pop of colour.
Choosing Complementary Grey Paint Colors
When selecting a specific shade of grey paint for your walls, keep your planned curtain colours in mind. Cooler greys like:
– Cloud grey
– Ice grey
– Silver grey
Look best with warm accent shades like coral, yellow, or cream.
While warmer greys such as:
– Charcoal
– Pewter
– Graphite
Tend to coordinate better with cool tones like pastel blue or mint green.
Balanced neutral greys like dove grey, ash grey, or steel blue work flexibly with both warm and cool curtain colours.
Conclusion
With the versatility of grey as a neutral backdrop, you have lots of options for choosing curtain colours that work. For contrast, yellow, coral, mint, and lavender make perfect complementary hues. Staying within grey tonal variations keeps it cohesive yet interesting. Metallic greys add glam, while natural neutrals give an organic feel. And don’t overlook deep jewel tones for an unexpected pop of colour. Consider the grey tones in your paint colour and textures when selecting curtains for the ideal cohesive look. With the right complementary colour and style, your curtains will beautifully enhance any grey room.
