9 Decorating Ideas for Grey Living Rooms
Our love affair with grey continues! These inspiring schemes show how versatile this neutral yet dramatic shade can be
Dark grey is enjoying its moment on feature walls right now, but have you considered all the many other shades that are available in this classic hue? We’re happy to confirm there are more than 50… and that’s just paint colours! Now add all the accessories, flooring and furnishing options, too, and you’ll be spoilt for choice.
Take a look at the nine living room ideas below, and start discovering just how show-stopping grey décor can be, with looks ranging from tough, earthy slate accents to the softest dove-grey furnishings.
Take a look at the nine living room ideas below, and start discovering just how show-stopping grey décor can be, with looks ranging from tough, earthy slate accents to the softest dove-grey furnishings.
Add your favourite colour
Grey is a hero in the home, as it goes with everything and is happy to take a supporting role. This is especially useful if you tend to get carried away with another colour. Take the mustard-yellow pieces in this room: matched with the dark and medium greys on the walls, furnishings and details, they are toned down and helped to shine, not overwhelm.
If you like a cohesive, put-together look, invest in a single item that ties your colours together, as nicely demonstrated by this rug.
Grey is a hero in the home, as it goes with everything and is happy to take a supporting role. This is especially useful if you tend to get carried away with another colour. Take the mustard-yellow pieces in this room: matched with the dark and medium greys on the walls, furnishings and details, they are toned down and helped to shine, not overwhelm.
If you like a cohesive, put-together look, invest in a single item that ties your colours together, as nicely demonstrated by this rug.
Give it an edge
The flipside to fluffy clouds grey is the dark and stormy shade we know and love (the trend for this moody hue is still going strong across Houzz). It’s a bold and dramatic look, yes. But this masculine take on the trend can also be soft and homely and, as seen in this living room, it can look surprisingly vibrant when it’s paired with a white floor and ceiling. If you can make use of a well-positioned window or two, all the better.
The flipside to fluffy clouds grey is the dark and stormy shade we know and love (the trend for this moody hue is still going strong across Houzz). It’s a bold and dramatic look, yes. But this masculine take on the trend can also be soft and homely and, as seen in this living room, it can look surprisingly vibrant when it’s paired with a white floor and ceiling. If you can make use of a well-positioned window or two, all the better.
Mimic nature
So much of what comes to mind when we think ‘grey’ is weather-related, so if you’re a lover of the great outdoors, bring the colour inside using slate or stone (or a lookalike) flooring alongside wooden details, neutral walls and animal hides or faux fur rugs. Plenty of light, space and a vaulted, beamed ceiling is a bonus, of course, but this look would also work well in a small room with a cosy wood-burner or fire.
So much of what comes to mind when we think ‘grey’ is weather-related, so if you’re a lover of the great outdoors, bring the colour inside using slate or stone (or a lookalike) flooring alongside wooden details, neutral walls and animal hides or faux fur rugs. Plenty of light, space and a vaulted, beamed ceiling is a bonus, of course, but this look would also work well in a small room with a cosy wood-burner or fire.
Channel modern minimalism
Even for those who love clutter-free living with a limited or non-existent palette, white can get a bit samey. Going just one tone darker and adding pastel details gives a minimal room maximum appeal by creating depth and visual layers. Run with the pared-back vibe and capture the grey trend in one buy with a corner sofa like this. And if you don’t have the space or budget for a stylish fireplace, candles and lanterns make gorgeous alternatives.
Even for those who love clutter-free living with a limited or non-existent palette, white can get a bit samey. Going just one tone darker and adding pastel details gives a minimal room maximum appeal by creating depth and visual layers. Run with the pared-back vibe and capture the grey trend in one buy with a corner sofa like this. And if you don’t have the space or budget for a stylish fireplace, candles and lanterns make gorgeous alternatives.
Keep it cosy
There’s no getting away from the fact that grey isn’t always the warmest of colours. If your plans lean towards stark materials, with limited furnishings and blue- and lilac-looking greys, it may leave guests feeling cold. Warm things up with faux-fur blankets, cushions, pleated full-length curtains and rugs.
Find more ways to introduce warm blankets and throws into your home
There’s no getting away from the fact that grey isn’t always the warmest of colours. If your plans lean towards stark materials, with limited furnishings and blue- and lilac-looking greys, it may leave guests feeling cold. Warm things up with faux-fur blankets, cushions, pleated full-length curtains and rugs.
Find more ways to introduce warm blankets and throws into your home
Temper the industrial trend
This image shows how far grey furnishings can go in softening what we’re more used to seeing in an industrial-style room. We may not all have gorgeous open-plan warehouse conversions to do up, but textured grey concrete floors like this are also within reach, even if you live in a Victorian terrace (seek professional advice to see what’s possible).
More achievable still is leaving any exposed metallic piping on show. But if you’re just too tidy for that, add an instant room updater, such as a selection of grey and stone-coloured pendant lampshades like these, to nail the look in a flash.
This image shows how far grey furnishings can go in softening what we’re more used to seeing in an industrial-style room. We may not all have gorgeous open-plan warehouse conversions to do up, but textured grey concrete floors like this are also within reach, even if you live in a Victorian terrace (seek professional advice to see what’s possible).
More achievable still is leaving any exposed metallic piping on show. But if you’re just too tidy for that, add an instant room updater, such as a selection of grey and stone-coloured pendant lampshades like these, to nail the look in a flash.
Make a statement with metallics
Let’s not forget grey’s luxurious and elegant side. If bling is your thing, then try glitzy metallics and a hint of sparkle, satin and sheen to create a classy reception room ideal for entertaining.
Let’s not forget grey’s luxurious and elegant side. If bling is your thing, then try glitzy metallics and a hint of sparkle, satin and sheen to create a classy reception room ideal for entertaining.
Play with texture and pattern
Without the many grey tones on show here – on the sofa, blanket, patterned cushions, fluffy rug and chunky knitted footstool – this room would come off impressive in size, but pretty bland in style. Embracing contrasting textures and shades will help you to pep up large rooms that seem to lack a focal point.
Where better to steer attention in a living room than to the sofa? It’s all in the details, and often there’s an easy fix if you’ve already tried grey and aren’t yet convinced.
TELL US…
Have you tried grey as a colour scheme? Share your tips or photos in the Comments below.
Without the many grey tones on show here – on the sofa, blanket, patterned cushions, fluffy rug and chunky knitted footstool – this room would come off impressive in size, but pretty bland in style. Embracing contrasting textures and shades will help you to pep up large rooms that seem to lack a focal point.
Where better to steer attention in a living room than to the sofa? It’s all in the details, and often there’s an easy fix if you’ve already tried grey and aren’t yet convinced.
TELL US…
Have you tried grey as a colour scheme? Share your tips or photos in the Comments below.
Dove grey is white’s sophisticated sister. It’s a clever choice in that it creates the same blank canvas as a backdrop for treasured items, but offers more of a considered look. Lightest grey tones on furnishings, carpets and walls give that airy, spacious feel, plus they create tonal shadows that instantly soothe.
Try adding textured materials, such as granite or dark wood, to the mix, as seen here, to balance all that snowy-sky softness. Extending a pale grey carpet into the hallway and other rooms will create unity in your home, while still giving you an interesting neutral base to build on.
Check out more ways to make your home a sanctuary