So You're Tempted to Try Grey?
Crisp, edgy and easy-to-live-with – we've asked four experts for tips on how to make fashionable grey work in your home
Grey has been in vogue for the past few years, but this trending hue shows little sign of stepping out of the spotlight. It’s easy to see the appeal: touted by designers around the world as the ‘new neutral’, it’s a fashionable alternative to brown- and cream-based neutrals and it works equally well in both classic and contemporary homes.
We’ve asked four colour experts which shades of grey will be trending in 2019 – and how to incorporate them into your home.
We’ve asked four colour experts which shades of grey will be trending in 2019 – and how to incorporate them into your home.
Image by Lisa Cohen
Styling by Bree Leech
Which homes does grey suit?
Grey works in both classic and contemporary schemes, says Holmes. “It sits beautifully in traditional schemes, particularly when paired with stark, white cornicing and ceiling detailing,” she says. “But it can serve equally well in ultra-contemporary interiors – think exposed concrete walls or polished concrete floors, charcoal-grey leather furnishings and a suspended fireplace. Simply stunning.”
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Styling by Bree Leech
Which homes does grey suit?
Grey works in both classic and contemporary schemes, says Holmes. “It sits beautifully in traditional schemes, particularly when paired with stark, white cornicing and ceiling detailing,” she says. “But it can serve equally well in ultra-contemporary interiors – think exposed concrete walls or polished concrete floors, charcoal-grey leather furnishings and a suspended fireplace. Simply stunning.”
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“Create a warm, contemporary look by layering dark grey with materials such as marble and travertine,” says Rennie. “In a traditional setting, create a beautiful contrast between the walls and detailed period features, such as cornices and trims, by mixing light-tone grey with crisp white.”
How versatile is grey?
“Very,” says Laura Downie, owner and principal designer at Studio 1 Interiors. “Grey can create a really diverse range of looks, from cool and calm to dark and dramatic, depending on the hue and shade you choose,” she says.
“It can work in every room in your home and is guaranteed to add wow factor. A light grey can be the perfect neutral starting point for a range of interior styles – even for the most avid supporter of white walls. I think we’ll continue to see a lot more grey in Australian homes.”
“Very,” says Laura Downie, owner and principal designer at Studio 1 Interiors. “Grey can create a really diverse range of looks, from cool and calm to dark and dramatic, depending on the hue and shade you choose,” she says.
“It can work in every room in your home and is guaranteed to add wow factor. A light grey can be the perfect neutral starting point for a range of interior styles – even for the most avid supporter of white walls. I think we’ll continue to see a lot more grey in Australian homes.”
Which greys will be trending in 2019?
Holmes says:
Lucena-Orr says:
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Holmes says:
- Cool grey, which sits beautifully with brass.
- Pebble grey – a mid-tone grey that works in both warm- and cool-toned interiors.
- Charcoal grey – charcoal matt finishes are on-trend in facades.
Lucena-Orr says:
- Greys with undertones of mauve, green and ochre.
13 Ways to Style Your Room Around a Grey Sofa
Image by Gemmola
Styling by Ruth Welsby
Where in the home does grey work well?
Haymes says:
Styling by Ruth Welsby
Where in the home does grey work well?
Haymes says:
- Kitchen: Pair mid- and dark-tone grey with warm wood tones for a cosy kitchen atmosphere.
- Bedroom: Use dark grey to give your bedroom a restful feel.
- Exteriors: Use grey to highlight character features in older homes or to create striking architectural features on contemporary abodes.
Lucena-Orr says:
- Staircase and living room walls: Pair grey with stark white walls, staircase trims and detailing.
- Dining room: Grey paired with dark hardwood floors looks elegant; it also works well with pale timber floors.
- Powder room: Grey, concrete vanities are on-trend for 2019.
- Study nooks: Subtle hints of grey, or a textured grey wall treatment used in unlikely spots, such as this, look chic. Finish off the look with greenery.
- Exterior: A subtle grey works beautifully on render or weatherboards.
Which other colours go with grey?
Haymes says:
Lucena-Orr says:
Read more colour stories
Haymes says:
- Warm-tone greys blend well with rich tones of rust and green.
Lucena-Orr says:
- Blues.
- Greens.
- Purples.
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“White is grey’s best friend,” says Downie. “When paired with white, grey seems sharper, which can create some really beautiful lines in a space.
“I also love navy blue with grey – great for a teenager’s bedroom or a cosy living room. Or, for a pop of colour, pair grey with petrol green or mustard yellow.”
According to Downie, these other colours also team well with grey:
Holmes says:
“I also love navy blue with grey – great for a teenager’s bedroom or a cosy living room. Or, for a pop of colour, pair grey with petrol green or mustard yellow.”
According to Downie, these other colours also team well with grey:
- Black and white – think a black-framed artwork on a cool-grey wall.
- Soft pastels.
Holmes says:
- Blush pink.
- Ochre.
- Emerald and sapphire (especially in materials such as velvet).
Which materials go with grey?
“I’m a huge fan of pairing light, softer greys with natural timber elements, such as blonde timber floors and oak furniture,” says Downie. “I also love mixing grey with tan leather.”
Holmes agrees, adding that mixing other colours and materials with grey can create a striking effect. “Don’t be afraid to mix metallics with grey,” she says. “Such a usable colour can allow for some playfulness with metallics.”
“I’m a huge fan of pairing light, softer greys with natural timber elements, such as blonde timber floors and oak furniture,” says Downie. “I also love mixing grey with tan leather.”
Holmes agrees, adding that mixing other colours and materials with grey can create a striking effect. “Don’t be afraid to mix metallics with grey,” she says. “Such a usable colour can allow for some playfulness with metallics.”
Image by Coco Republic
How can I choose the right grey?
“Never choose a grey straight off your computer screen and don’t make the mistake of not testing it first,” says Downie. “Sunlight, incandescent light and even the colour of your flooring can all affect the appearance of the grey paint colour you choose.
“Be sure to test paint colours first and ideally on several walls in the same room and at the same time. I’d suggesting grabbing a sample pot and painting a couple of A4-size pieces of card and sticking them up in different spots at different times of the day. It might seem like a lot of effort, but I promise it’s time well spent to ensure you’re happy with the colour before you paint all the walls,” says Downie.
How can I choose the right grey?
“Never choose a grey straight off your computer screen and don’t make the mistake of not testing it first,” says Downie. “Sunlight, incandescent light and even the colour of your flooring can all affect the appearance of the grey paint colour you choose.
“Be sure to test paint colours first and ideally on several walls in the same room and at the same time. I’d suggesting grabbing a sample pot and painting a couple of A4-size pieces of card and sticking them up in different spots at different times of the day. It might seem like a lot of effort, but I promise it’s time well spent to ensure you’re happy with the colour before you paint all the walls,” says Downie.
Tell us
Are you thinking of adding grey to your home? Tell us your plans in the Comments below. And while you’re at it, save your favourite images, like and save this story, and join the conversation.
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Find an interior designer near you
Are you thinking of adding grey to your home? Tell us your plans in the Comments below. And while you’re at it, save your favourite images, like and save this story, and join the conversation.
More
Find an interior designer near you
Styling by Ruth Welsby
What makes grey so appealing to designers?
“Grey is the perfect neutral,” says Wendy Rennie, colour and concept manager at Haymes Paint. “It works with every colour and sits beautifully with natural materials such as stone and timber.”
“Once seen as cold and drab, grey is now recognised for the calm mood it creates,” says Georgina Holmes, senior interior designer at Coco Republic. “Designers around the world are incorporating this usable and elegant colour into award-winning projects, and I’d say it’s here for the foreseeable future.”
Andrea Lucena-Orr, Dulux colour and communications manager, concurs. “Grey can be either warm or cool and often has undertones, making it quite interesting to use,” she says. “Plus it works well both inside and outside.”