Grey is a versatile neutral colour that can work well in many living room colour schemes. When decorating with grey, it’s important to choose the right accent colours to complement it and create a cohesive look. Accent colours that go well with grey include shades of blue, green, yellow, peach, and taupe. The key is to stick to soft, muted tones rather than bright, saturated hues. Cool greys look great paired with other cool tones like light blue or sage green, while warm greys match well with peach, tan, or mustard yellow. Ultimately the choice comes down to personal preference and what mood you want to create in your grey living room.
Cool Tones That Pair Well with Grey
Some popular cool toned colours that work nicely with grey in a living room include:
- Light or icy blue – Adds a calm, relaxed feeling
- Pale sage green – Brings in some subtle vibrancy
- Dusty purple – Creates a soothing, elegant look
- Dove grey – Layers well with other grey hues
- Silver or pewter – Metallic sheen livens up the space
- Crisp white – Brightens up and accentuates grey
These colours have a low saturation, meaning they are muted rather than bold. They complement grey without competing with it. Cool blues and greens are especially tranquil and refreshing when paired with medium or charcoal grey. Combining different shades of grey can also add nice depth and dimension.
Warm Tones That Complement Grey
Some examples of warm toned colours that make an attractive match for grey include:
- Light tan or beige – Adds subtle warmth
- Peach or coral – Infuses energy into the space
- Mustard or golden yellow – Brings vibrancy and brightness
- Mushroom or taupe – Earthy and soothing
- Biscuit or sand – Natural, relaxed feeling
- Pale pink – Soft, feminine touch
These warmer neutrals blend seamlessly with grey to create a welcoming, cozy environment. Soft peaches and yellows give grey liveliness and charm. Mushroom and beige tones keep the palette grounded. Accenting with cream or off-white can help grey feel less stark.
Best Colour Combinations with Grey
Some particularly attractive colour schemes for grey living rooms include:
Grey & Blue
Different shades of grey paired with pale to mid-tone blues create a calm, orderly look.
Grey & Sage Green
Sage green has just enough vibrancy to feel energizing against grey backgrounds.
Grey & Yellow
Yellow brings optimism and brightness to grey spaces. Mustard or golden hues work best.
Grey & Peach
Peach gives grey warmth. Soft peach oranges or corals complement grey nicely.
Grey & White
Crisp white makes grey walls pop. Use white on trim, ceilings, and furniture against grey.
Grey & Beige
Beige has inherent warmth that balances cold grey tones. Tan, mushroom, and light brown work well.
Multiple Shades of Grey
Use lighter and darker grey hues on different walls or furniture for depth.
How Lighting Affects Grey
Lighting choices also impact how grey looks. Natural daylight often makes grey walls appear cooler or more blue. Incandescent bulbs lend warmth to counteract cold grey. Consider lighting when selecting grey tones for a living room. Cool greys suit brighter rooms, while warm greys complement dim, intimate spaces better. strategic lighting (such as accent wall lights or lamps) can add dimension and emphasize specific grey features as well.
Example Colour Combinations
Here are some example living room colour palettes with grey:
| Colour Scheme | Grey Paint Colour | Complementary Colours |
|---|---|---|
| Cool and Airy | Light grey | Pale blue, Icy purple, White |
| Warm and Relaxed | Charcoal grey | Tan, Dark wood tones, Off-white |
| Energizing | Medium grey with blue undertones | Yellow orange, Bright white |
| Earthy | Warm light grey | Olive green, Mushroom, Rustic wood |
As shown, the exact grey paint colour sets the tone for selecting ideal accent colours. Lighter greys suit cooler accents like purple, while darker greys match warmer beige and brown tones.
Choosing Paint Colours
When selecting specific paint colours, bring home grey paint swatches and view them at different times of day before deciding. Grey can look quite different in morning light versus evening. Be sure to color-match grey paint chips with potential accent colours as well. Some popular grey paint colours include:
- Benjamin Moore Grey Owl – green-grey, relaxing
- Sherwin Williams Repose Gray – light warm grey, versatile neutral
- Behr Silverdrop – cool grey with hints of blue
- Valspar Rock Salt – grey with yellow undertones, cheery
- PPG Ponder – medium bluish-grey, peaceful
Choosing the right grey entails finding the right hue and intensity to suit your vision. Visit home improvement stores to browse many grey options before deciding. Once you’ve selected grey paint, find 2-3 complementary colours in your desired shades.
Incorporating Accent Colours
Now for the fun part – use accent colours throughout the living room in creative ways:
- Walls: Paint one wall an accent colour or use colour blocking with grey sections
- Furniture: Incorporate accent colours in furniture like sofas, chairs, ottomans and pillows
- Window treatments: Hang coloured sheer curtains or use patterned drapes
- Area rugs: Layer colourful or patterned area rugs over grey flooring
- Artwork: Display canvas art or photographs in complementary colour frames
- Accessories: Add pops of colour with blankets, vases, candles and decorative objects
- Lighting: Use accent lighting fixtures like coloured table and floor lamps
The goal is to strike the right balance of grey foundations and eye-catching colour accents. Start with larger splashes of colour first, then fill in with smaller decorative items.
Conclusion
Grey and colour can harmoniously combine to create stylish, inviting living rooms. Opt for blue-greens, peach-oranges, yellow-golds, or taupe-browns as easy complementary matches with grey. Cool and warm grays suit certain palettes better. Look to painted walls, window treatments, furnishings, artwork, lighting and decor accessories as opportunities for infusing accent colours. Thoughtfully blending neutral grey with shades from across the colour wheel results in a tailored, layered look. Choose your favorite soothing or energizing combinations for gorgeous grey living rooms.
